Apple Protein Bars
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My apple protein bars come together in 10 minutes and taste every bit as decadent as classic apple pie. Additionally, each bar is packed with 12 grams of protein, so they’re as satisfying as they are delicious.
If you’ve been following for a while, you know I have strong opinions about store-bought protein bars. They’re convenient, sure- but often packed with unnecessary sweeteners and additives, and most of them barely have any protein.
That’s why I always make my own– and have fun experimenting with flavors like banana, cinnamon, and now these apple ones!
Quest’s seasonal flavors inspired this recipe, but in true Arman fashion, I made them cleaner, higher in protein, and even tastier. I tested several batches to make sure they turned out portable, firm, and perfectly spiced. And don’t just take my word for it- my partner and sister both keep these stocked for mid-afternoon snacks!
Table of Contents
Why these are a great high-protein snack
- Full of apple pie flavor. Applesauce, coupled with the warming spices of cinnamon and apple pie spice.
- The texture. The applesauce combined with creamy almond butter adds a soft, moist texture to the bars, giving them the perfect bite.
- A no-bake recipe. I love an easy no-bake recipe, especially when it’s this hands-off.
- Wholesome. These bars are accidentally gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan-friendly.
What readers are saying
★★★★★ – “Thank you! I tried these, and they were just amazing. Great texture and flavor, very filling, no complaints at all. This is now my go-to recipe. I keep these in the freezer for when I’m in a hurry and need something I can grab and take with me.” – Rhiannon
Key Ingredients
The ingredient list may look long, but I promise, they’re all simple ingredients. If you’re a fan of high-protein snacks, you probably have most of them on hand already. I’m also including tested substitutes, too.
- Coconut flour. My favorite high-protein, high-fiber flour will give the bars a perfect cakey and chewy texture.
- Almond flour. I recommend using blanched almond flour instead of almond meal, as it will give the bars a smoother texture.
- Protein powder. I like using vanilla protein powder, as I love the subtle flavor it adds, but any protein powder works (I tested whey, casein, and brown rice protein). My tip for using sweetened protein powders: make sure you like the flavor!
- Spices. I used apple pie spice plus extra cinnamon and nutmeg because I really love those spices, but you could just use apple pie spice if you prefer. If you’ve not seen that before (I know Australian and UK readers struggle with this)
- Almond butter. To add protein and richness to the bars. Make your own or use a store-bought creamy almond butter. Not a fan of almond butter? Use any nut butter, such as peanut butter or cashew butter, or a nut-free alternative like tahini or sunflower seed butter instead.
- Maple syrup. For sweetness and to bind the ingredients together. I’ve also had success using honey, although I definitely could tell the bars had honey in them (it’s a little overpowering).
- Applesauce. I prefer unsweetened apple sauce since we already add sugar and maple syrup to the bars, but if you enjoy super-sweet bars, you can use the sweetened kind.
- Milk. You’ll notice I don’t give a specific amount of milk in the recipe card. The reason for this is that different protein powders need different amounts. Start with one tablespoon, then add more as needed.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make apple protein bars
Step 1- Prep work. Line a large baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2- Combine dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple pie spice.
Step 3- Add wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the almond butter and maple syrup and heat until melted. Pour the almond butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix to combine. Fold in the applesauce and continue mixing until the batter is crumbly. Add milk until a thick batter is formed.
Step 4- Shape. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe tips and variations
- Thicken the batter. Occasionally, when I’ve made this recipe, the batter will become quite thin. When this happens, add a dash of coconut flour until the dough becomes firm.
- Use a food processor. When I want to save time, I like to use this gadget. Also, mixing by hand gives a denser, doughier texture, while the food processor incorporates more air. Either works- it just depends on whether you like your bars soft or firm.
- Adjust the sweetness. Taste the batter after you’ve mixed everything, and add more sweetener if desired. I find this essential if I’m using unflavored protein powder.
- Experiment with mix-ins. I’ve made these with chopped dried apples folded in and a drizzle of white chocolate over the top and it seriously tastes like dessert!
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: Freeze leftover bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Let the bars thaw overnight in the fridge.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you’d like to omit the protein powder, you can either add less milk to firm up the bars or substitute the protein with two extra tablespoons of coconut flour.
Yes! Fold through some finely chopped apples or diced dried apples. If you choose the former, you’ll need to enjoy the bars within a week.
More high protein snacks
- Peanut butter protein balls
- Carrot cake protein bars
- Cookie dough protein bars
- Chocolate protein bars
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Apple Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 cup protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 cup almond butter can sub for any nut or seed butter of choice
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tablespoon milk * see notes
Instructions
- Line a large baking dish with greased paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple pie spice and mix well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the almond butter and maple syrup and heat until melted. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix well. Add the unsweetened applesauce and mix until combined- The batter should be crumbly.
- Using a spoon, add the milk of choice one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed.
- Transfer to a lined baking dish and press firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
- Apple pie spice: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice.
- Milk: Start with one tablespoon and continue adding more as needed. When I use some casein powders, I have had to add up to 3/4 cup. Don’t fret if it’s significantly more than a tablespoon.
Nutrition
Originally published September 2019
These sound sooooo good! How many servings are there in a batch?
What is the NET carb count on the no bake apple protein bars?
Hi Tony! If you add these to a calorie counting app it will provide it for you! Enjoy 🙂
Dessert for me is basically anything sweet! It can be healthy or indulgent, but if you constitute something as a “cheat”, then it HAS to be somewhat sinful in some way! Homemade GF, sugar free brownies aren’t cheats!
These protein bars are absolutely MANDATORY for me to make!
Haha that definitely is not a cheat, right?!
Not sure what to use for the “mixed spice” ingredient ? Thanks
Hi Karla! You can use a blend of cinnamon/nutmeg 🙂
I tried this receipt for snacks. It’s really good. it keeps me full. Thanks
YAY! I’m so glad you liked them, Margarette.
Hey, hey, hey… Don’t knock people for calling their protein concoctions “dessert”. Maybe doing so is what stops them from falling off the healthy eating wagon. Half of healthy eating is being mentally on diet too.
No, I personally would never call a protein bar dessert, but, you also shouldn’t be eating 1 Quest bar a day. Your body doesn’t know it’s fake sugar so you still have the same insulin release, and when you’re trying to lose fat and stick to an eating plan, that insulin release triggers other cravings which can sabotage your efforts.
Calling that nuked Quest bar a treat is a good way of keeping them as the occasional snack rather than a daily standard.
Oh, and I happen to love Greek yoghurt with protein powder (with berries & toasted almonds!) although I call it a snack, I wouldn’t rain on someone’s parade if they wanted to tell themselves it’s a dessert so that they can keep eating clean and keep the real refeeds/cheat meals for another time.
Don’t be so harsh, dude!
Okay, that’s my rant-rebuttal done. 😛
All that said. These look great! A bit high in sugars to easily fit into my daily macros, but will certainly try them out and keep them for every other day… or week 😉 🙂
Thanks Mandy! I’m not being harsh at all 🙂 These are my thoughts. I guess the people I see on social media proclaiming things like that as dessert just aren’t something I would consider.
Please do 🙂
Hehe, no worries. I’m still sore from SA losing to Japan at the weekend in the RWC, so I thought I could at least stick up for those trying their best to shed some pounds (me being one of them 😛 ).
Maybe our definition of dessert needs to change. Maybe dessert is any sweet meal that you enjoy and look forward to, even if it is a ruddy protein bar warmed up, lol. (Still not me, but I get it…)
Hell, I would classify half of the breakfast cereals as dessert these days! Coco pops over ice-cream? So good. Actually, I used to often have cravings for a bowl of cereal like Crunchy Nut Clusters after dinner. That in itself says two things. 1) How on earth is that an acceptable breakfast and 2) What the hell is in cereal that it’s something a person can crave!
Anyway, I didn’t mean to come off too strongly myself 🙂
Thanks for the reply 🙂
No worries at all! 🙂
These apple pie protein bars during the day. Real apple pie a la mode at night. Good plan.
But yeah, “pro-yo” is not dessert. Protein powder mixed into Greek yogurt….?
….RIGHT?!
While I definitely can’t handle as much sweetness as I could when I was younger, I definitely know the difference between a healthy snack and dessert — and I love them both. Bites and bars and smoothies named after desserts are usually delicious, but there are some times where only the real deal will do. These look great, mister. Obvs 😛
Thanks Mandoo!
I like that you are saying these aren’t really dessert…I don’t eat dessert often (I’m usually a salty girl), but when I do, I’m quite happy with a fudgy brownie or key lime pie or something decadent. But it’s nice to have a snack that is a bit of a treat that you can eat multiple times throughout the day if you want!
Right? I’ve no joke bought a small container of stuffed grape leaves after your recent recipe- My salty tooth is playing up too!
I love apple pie. It’s one of my favorite things to make in the Fall (i.e. next month; Ha) although I am going to an apple farm today so it might happen sooner. They also have the largest slide at this apple farm so expect ridiculous pictures of me and a bunch of 7 year olds. 🙂 I know how to rock.
I hope an apple fell on your head, Amish style.
Arman these look incredible – did I mention how much I love you for having paleo options?? I can imagine that from the freezer these taste all kinds of fudgy!
Dessert to me is a treat, not something I would have every day but something I save for a Friday or Saturday night – it is NOT, I repeat NOT a quest bar! My idea of dessert would still be grain free but has to include sugar, regular or otherwise. I love fro yo with those glace cherries on top but I also adore ice cream and life without real ice cream would be sad. Ben and Jerrys = dessert perfection!
They are SO good- I love offering a paleo option 🙂
I am not much for apple pie, but I love these apple protein bars! I plan to make them will all coconut flour. Thanks again Arman, for another yummy bar recipe!
You are so welcome, Joanne! 🙂
“My weekly cheat dessert!” – A warmed up protein brownie with some icing which is made of protein powder and lies. I am going to fall off my chair and its going to be your fault.
Haha thanks Dixya!
I absolutely LOVE these protein bars! I can’t wait to make them!
Please do, Lauren! 🙂