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These vegan protein bars are the perfect no-bake snack that’ll keep you on track and feeling full all day long. They’re packed with over 20 grams of protein and come together with just 4 key ingredients!
I learned a long time ago that it’s not worth buying vegan protein bars when you can so easily make them at home, and that’s especially true when it comes to diet-friendly protein bars.
Now, we’ve come up with quite a few vegan protein-packed snacks, like protein crunch bars and peanut butter protein balls. Still, I wanted to make a protein bar specifically since there are plenty on the market, but they’re either filled with unnecessary ingredients or, frankly, not enough protein!
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
- Customizable. I love a recipe that offers flexibility, and this recipe fits the bill. Use different protein powders, fold in extra ingredients, or swap most of the ingredients to suit your taste buds.
- Easily made gluten-free. Swap out the regular oats for certified gluten-free oats, and everyone can enjoy them!
- Less than 10 minutes to make. Like our banana protein bars, you can have these bad boys chilling in the fridge in 10 minutes or less.
For more lowkey vegan protein bar recipes, try my cinnamon protein bars or snickers protein bars.
Ingredients needed
This recipe uses basic, no-frills ingredients. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
- Rolled oats. Also known as “old fashioned oats,” I prefer these to quick oats since they maintain their texture, though you could use quinoa flakes if you prefer.
- Protein powder. I highly recommend vanilla protein powder. As for the type of protein, you can’t go wrong with pea or brown rice protein.
- Almond butter. We’re a big almond butter-loving family, but you could swap it for any type of nut or seed butter.
- Brown rice syrup. For sweetness and to bind the ingredients together. I’ve also made this with maple syrup, and it turns out just as tasty.
- Non-dairy milk. You may or may not need a few tablespoons of milk to form the batter. I ended up using about a tablespoon of unsweetened almond milk, but any non-dairy milk will do.
- Chocolate chips. Optional, but I like melting and drizzling them on the bars for a little extra flavor.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make vegan protein bars
Step 1- Prep work. Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2- Combine dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and protein powder.
Step 3- Combine wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, combine the almond butter with the brown rice syrup and melt together.
Step 4- Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix until fully incorporated. If needed, add a tablespoon of milk until a thick batter is formed.
Step 5- Shape bars and add chocolate drizzle. Pour the protein bar batter into the prepared pan and press firmly in place. Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle over the top of the bars.
Step 6- Refrigerate and slice. Store the bars in the fridge for 30 minutes or until firm, then slice them into 24 equal-sized bars.
Recipe tips and variations
- Use wet hands to shape the bars. Trust me, this stuff can get sticky, so protect yourself in advance!
- Swap the rice syrup. For a naturally sweetened protein bar, sometimes I’ll blend pitted dates with a little almond milk until I have a thick, syrupy consistency, then I’ll fold that into the batter.
- Fold in the chocolate chips. If you’re not feeling the chocolate drizzle, you can just fold the chocolate chips into the batter.
- Use different protein powders. Try chocolate, peanut butter, or whatever funky protein powder flavor you have on hand.
- Make them sugar-free. Swap the rice syrup for keto maple syrup and use sugar-free chocolate chips to make a low-carb version.
- Experiment with mix-ins. When I’m feeling creative, I like to add dried fruit, chopped nuts, chia seeds, or shredded coconut.
Storage instructions
To store: Store these vegan bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month. I like to wrap them in parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
To freeze: Place these bars in a freezer-safe container, wrapped in parchment to prevent sticking, and freeze them for up to 6 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, yes, yes! Protein bars can be super expensive, but the ingredients to make them aren’t that pricey. With a little spare time and some protein powder, making your own protein bars is easy and cost-effective.
Absolutely! To make these energy bars into “energy bites,” simply roll the batter into equal-sized balls instead of shaping them in a baking dish.
More vegan snack recipes to try
- Pumpkin protein balls– Basically pumpkin pie, but made with wholesome ingredients in just 10 minutes.
- Coconut bars– If you love almond joys as much as I do, you’ll love these healthy coconut bars.
- Oatmeal chocolate chip bars– Soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate chips!
- Protein chia pudding– The ultimate chocolatey treat for breakfast or a protein-packed snack.
- Peanut butter crackers– Our current household obsession.
Vegan Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats gluten-free, if needed
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla protein powder See post for recommendations
- 1 cup almond butter Can use any nut or seed butter
- 1 cup brown rice syrup
- 1 tablespoon water * See notes
- 1 cup chocolate chips Optional
Instructions
- Line a 9 x 9-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your rolled oats with your protein powder and mix well. Set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, combine your almond butter (or nut/seed butter of choice) with your brown rice syrup (or sticky sweetener of choice) and melt until combined.
- Add your wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix until fully incorporated. If needed, add some liquid of choice to form a thick batter.
- Pour your no bake protein bar batter into the lined pan and press firmly in place. Melt your chocolate chips and drizzle over the top. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm. Slice into 24 bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe originally published March 2018 but updated to include new information for your benefit.
Taste is good, high in protein and pretty low in calories in comparison to other bars! Love it!
I would reccomend here soy cereal. This is vegan so perfect for it.
Can I also put flavour powder instead of sugar/syrup so that is healthier and less caloric?
I will make this but not as vegan. I am not vegan so I will use basic oats and basic ingredients from this recipe.
@Mario You don’t need to be vegan to make this recipe. There’s nothing non-vegan about “basic oats”. In fact this recipe is for OMNIVORES, i.e. people who eat anything. Every vegan recipe is also a “normal” recipe since it can be eaten by anyone. Weird comment to leave!
Good that I always have oats in my home. Never made protein bars made of oats.
Love these bars! Taste and texture amazing and so very simple. I have made them into small protein bites, by rolling them into small balls. 4 equal 1 bar. Kids like the balls better than the bars. Thanks for the awesome recipe.
Hi there, how many grams of protein powder?
32 to 64 grams.
Hi so I was doing your recipe, and (my bad) skipped ahead and just mixed dry then wet and found out I was supposed to warm up the almond butter and brown rice syrup. Will this be too dry for the protein bars? Such as it being unhealthy to eat too dry of outs. Or is it just a flavor preference? Thanks.
Not necessary 🙂 If your almond butter is drippy it should be fine.
THIS IS THE BEST PROTEIN BAR IVE EVER TASTED IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. THANKYOU
If I freeze what’s the best way to defrost. ?
In the fridge overnight 🙂