DIY Your Favorite Protein Bars
It’s easy and fun to make your own protein bars, packed with nutrients and made with zero preservatives! By making your own protein bars, you can customize the ingredient list, get creative with add-ins, and, most importantly, cut down on single-use plastic wrappers. We’ve pulled together a few recipes for you to use as a guide, but get creative and create your own perfect flavor.
DIY Your Favorite Protein Snack Bars
Peanut Butter Chocolate “Perfect” Bars (Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten Free)
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup protein powder
- 3/4 cup oat flour
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup real maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix together all ingredients except the chocolate. Use your hands to “knead” the dough-like mixture until smooth. Press firmly into a 6x8 glass pan. Melt chocolate and drizzle over the top of the bars. Score with a knife, then place into the freezer to firm up for about 20-30 minutes. Remove from the freezer, cut into bars, then store in a Stasher bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks (if they last that long!)
Chocolate “RX” Bar (Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten Free)
INGREDIENTS- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup vegan chocolate protein powder*
- 1 1/2 cups dates
- 1/2 cup cacao powder
- 4-6 tablespoons water
- 1/4 tsp salt
INSTRUCTIONS
In a food processor, grind almonds and cashews into small “crumbs”. Add protein powder, dates, salt, and cacao and mix until thoroughly combined. Add water a little at a time until mixture comes together like a dough. It should hold together, but not be too sticky. Press into a glass 9x9 pan and refrigerate for 2 or more hours. Cut into 9 squares and enjoy! Alternately, you may roll the “dough” into balls for bite-sized protein snacks. Store in a Stasher bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
*Vegan pea protein contains a comparable amount of protein to egg white protein powder. However, for a non-vegan version, egg white protein powder may be substituted to create a bar that more closely mimics the original’s ingredients.
Simple “Kind” Nut Bars (Vegan, Dairy-free, Gluten Free
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup peanuts
- 1/2 cup puffed brown rice or vegan “rice crispy” cereal
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 325°F, and line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, making sure to coat the dry ingredients thoroughly with the maple syrup. Pour into your parchment-lined baking dish, and press down firmly with a spatula.
Bake for 40 minutes (check at 30, as oven temperatures vary). Remove from oven, allow to cool, then use a sharp knife to slice into 12 bars. Transfer to a Stasher bag for storage. They can be kept out at room temperature for up to 3 weeks, or stored in the refrigerator for a month!
Recipes Adapted from Lemons and Zest, Jay’s Baking Me Crazy, and Beaming Baker.
This post was written by Hannah Neumann, co-founder at TELAstory Collective.
