If you’re ready to chase adventure then you’d better take these vegan protein bars with you. They hold up to the elements on the trail, in the gym or at the office, wherever you need a filling snack. This protein bar recipe is easy to make and fun to customize with whatever nuts, seeds and dried fruit you have on hand.
These are an easy staple in my home as a healthy snack for kids (that I eat myself!) since they are so filling and easy to make. I’ve even got a drawer full of nuts, seeds and dried fruit so I can pull out whatever I want when I’m ready to make a new batch.
I keep these sliced up and in the fridge, ready to grab when hunger strikes.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
Most store-bought protein bars contain tons of sugar and stabilizers to make them last years. They may taste great, but they’re essentially candy bars based on the amount of sugar and processed ingredients. Meanwhile, my protein bars are full of natural, minimally processed sweeteners, no fillers or gums and real protein.
Still not convinced? While I don’t think there is a miracle food, I consider this a healthy snack for weight loss since it fills me up and keeps me full, aka, not snacking all day. Let’s dive into what’s in my recipe:
- Chia seeds: I make “chia eggs” as the binder in this recipe to keep it vegan yet still packed with protein and omega-3s.
- Almond flour: This is the base of my recipe and a great start to a hearty snack.
- Coconut flakes: A slightly sweet addition that brings a lovely hint of coconut.
- Rolled oats: These gluten-free oats work with almond flour as the base and provide natural energy.
- Dried fruit: Naturally sweeten with your favorite dried fruit. Read your nutrition labels to find ones that don’t have added refined sugar or find varieties that are sweetened with fruit juice instead.
- Banana: This is another binder in this recipe and gives it a denser feel and acts as a natural sweetener.
- Pepitas: Pumpkin seeds help manage blood sugar as well as provide antioxidants and fiber.
- Sunflower seeds: These tiny seeds provide a host of nutrients as well as protein.
- Sliced almonds: Almonds provide calories, healthy fat and protein. Plus they are crunchy and delicious!
- Vanilla extract: A flavor booster that adds warmth to balance out the sweetness from the dried fruit.
- Cinnamon: A little pinch of spice that pairs well with almost any nuts and seeds you add.
- Sea salt: Helps balance and enhances the other flavors in this protein bar recipe.
Don’t fret if one of these ingredients doesn’t work for you. I’ve got easy swap options!
Simple Swaps
These bars have a lot in them, but you can easily change them up and make them something you’ll enjoy over and over again.
Nut-Free Option: To avoid the nuts altogether, swap the almond flour with oat flour, omit the coconut flakes and swap the almonds for more seeds.
Protein-Powered: For even more protein, swap one quarter cup of almond flour with one serving of my homemade protein powder or the plant-based protein powders of your choice. Popular plant proteins include pea protein, soy protein or brown rice protein, yet mine uses hemp protein, flax seeds and chia seeds for a high-quality product.
Alternative Flavors
If you love the base of this recipe but want a different flavor then go for it! Here are a few great options that I’ve tried and love:
- Dried blueberries + pecans for a blueberry muffin flavor
- Walnuts + dried bananas for a banana nut version
- Dried pineapple + dried mango for a tropical flair
- Peanuts + dried strawberries for a little PB&J action!
- Dark chocolate chunks and nut butter
- Cacao powder + chocolate chips for a fudge brownie taste and texture
How to Make the Best Vegan Protein Bars
I love these bars. They’re a plant-based protein bar that’s a sustaining and yummy snack, super portable and full of nutrition (if you have a green smoothie for breakfast then this snack is perfect for holding you over until lunch).
- Soak the chia seeds in 6 tablespoons of water (3 tbs of water per 1 tbs of chia seeds) for 5 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- Combine all the ingredients including the chia seed mixture in a big bowl and mix until well combined. I find a big wooden spoon or spatula works best. You can even mix with your hands to make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
- Spread the mixture out in an 8×8 pan and press evenly into the parchment paper.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes or until it is evenly golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before slicing into 8 bars.
- Enjoy immediately or store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Now you’ve got a great snack or quick breakfast with 8 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber and 7 grams of sugar (depending on the dried fruit you use). Plus, no artificial sweeteners. Amazing!
Pro Tips
– You can also freeze these bars for up to 6 months and defrost or toast them in the toaster oven when you are ready to enjoy them.
– Eat at room temperature or try them my favorite way: toast in the toaster oven then top with almond butter, cashew butter or peanut butter. Seriously good!
– For crispier protein bars, bake them in a 9×13 pan. You’ll get a crispier, thinner snack that way.
Top Store-Bought Bars
While my homemade version is probably my favorite flavor, texture and set of ingredients, I don’t always have access to them, especially when traveling. I also have my go-to store-bought versions that work in a pinch. This is what I snack on when I’m away from home:
- Lärabar: These have a little less protein, but I love that they have limited ingredients and are actually tasty. The protein comes from nuts. My favorite flavor is the peanut butter chocolate chip.
- Quantum Energy Squares: These have a few more ingredients and draw their protein from a blend of pumpkin seed protein and pea protein yet they are delicious, give me a little caffeine boost and are small. My favorite flavors are the peanut butter dark chocolate and the caramel almond sea salt.
- Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie-fied Bar: I started taking these protein cookies with me while training for the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim and found they are a great “meal” option. While they probably have the most ingredients on this list, they are filling, plant-based and worth it when you have limited options. The protein is a blend of brown rice protein and pea protein.
Protein Bar Recipe FAQs
Yes! Protein bars can be a great source of energy and nutrition. Just look at the ingredients to make sure they are 100% vegan and contain real, whole-food ingredients. I like making my own vegan protein bars to ensure they have what I want and nothing extra.
There are so many plants with protein, it really isn’t hard to find! I recommend getting a variety of plant-based protein sources from foods like, nuts, seeds, legumes, leafy greens and more. Yes, spinach has a lot of protein! So does broccoli and a whole lot of other great veggies.
Honestly, no, most protein bars contain some sort of animal or animal bi-product in them (like whey protein). If you want to know exactly what is in your protein bars, then make your own! They are super easy to whip up and taste delicious.
More Protein-Packed Snacks
This vegan protein bar recipe is an excellent option for so many reasons, yet we can’t just have one great snack on hand. We need more! I find options help me stay focused on fueling my body with foods that will help me, so you better believe I’ve got a few tried and true recipes to share.
Here’s what you’ll often find in my kitchen:
- Garlic Baked Chickpeas: Since these are best right out of the oven, I often prep a container full and keep it in my fridge, then take out a serving and toast it when I’m ready for a snack.
- Yogurt Parfaits: These are super easy to throw together and filling for a snack or breakfast.
- Oven-Roasted Almonds: About as simple as it gets while still tasty and satisfying.
- Pumpkin Chia Pudding: A warming version of chia pudding with 10 grams of protein per serving.
- Homemade Granola Bars: Another bar to take on the road.
- Avocado Fries: This snack is so delicious and don’t miss out on the chipotle ranch dressing, either!
Would you please leave a rating + review once you make these? I’d love to hear what you added to yours!
Vegan Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chia seeds + 6 tbs water
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ cup coconut flakes
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup dried fruit
- 2 cups banana mashed
- ⅓ cup raw pepitas
- ⅓ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
- ½ tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 vanilla bean, scraped
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon ground
- ⅛ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Grease or line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment (baking) paper.
- Soak chia seeds in 6 tablespoons of water for 5 minutes.
- Combine the chia seed mixture and remaining ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.
- Press the mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly spread out.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until golden on top. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Slice into 8 bars.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can enjoy these bars as is, or reheat them by toasting them in a toaster oven until the edges are crispy.
- Top with nut or seed butter for even more healthy fat and protein.
- If you want crispier bars, use a 9×13 pan and spread the mixture evenly throughout the pan. They will turn out thin and crispy as opposed to thicker, softer bars.
- Change up the dried fruit depending on your preferences and the season.
- Swap almond flour with oat flour.
- Swap the nuts and seeds with the chopped nuts and seeds of your choice.
This is my go to healthy snack! They are loaded with protein!
Such a good go-to. Love it, Kathy!
Seriously the best snack bar ever! The best part is that you can vary the dried fruit to your taste. I love goji and blueberries or cherries.
I love trying different fruit combinations too, Mireille!
These guys are now a staple in our house. I make them muffin like. And as a treat warm them up and drizzle almond butter on them. So good and filling. The best part they are super easy to make!
Healthy, super easy, and so delicious. The best trifecta!!
Absolutely delicious!! Tastes just like carrot cake. Guiltless!!
You had me at carrot cake! 😀
Hi, I’m sensitive to oats, is there another gluten free grain that would work, that tastes good 🙂 my kids don’t really like the rolled quinoa.
Thank you for sharing!
Hey Aayesha! I haven’t tried this but quinoa flakes might be a good alternative. If your kids aren’t into quinoa, I’m not sure there’s another suitable alternative. If you find one, def come back and let us know!
These have replaced store bought granola bars for my family. We ALL love them; and love how easy it is to switch up the ingredients w/ whatever nuts/seeds/dried fruit we have on hand. Thanks for another great, versatile recipe!
These really are awesome in how versatile they are!
Really really good!
I added a little bit date syrup since it wasn’t wet enough.
But turned out great!
That’s great, Ella! 🙂
I can’t have almonds 🙁 are we able to substitute the almond meal and almond slices for another type of flour or nut?
Hi Leni! You can sub any other raw nut you prefer, for example, cashews, hazelnuts or walnuts. The same goes for almond meal- you can sub another nut meal, such as walnut meal, or even a seed meal, such as finely ground sunflower seeds. 🙂
Any substitutions of sunflower seeds?
Dylan, you could just leave those out and double up on the pepitas.
These are one of my favorite snacks and SGS recipe! I love that I can make these with very little plastic packaging waste.
Thanks Revekah! I couldn’t agree more with your comment!!!
Hi, these bars look great! Can we substitute for the banana?
Thanks!
Hey Perdita,
You can substitute the banana for canned pumpkin or apple sauce. The canned pumpkin would be best for helping to bind it together plus with fall coming the pumpkin would be delicious!
Excellent…. easy to make. Even my husband loves them. I won’t buy store bars again! Thank you for teaching me how to make these yummy bars. I used dried pineapple in my first batch. Oh so GOOD. Can’t wait to experiment with different fruits.
A+++++ TOTALLY RECOMMEND!
Dried pineapple sounds SO delicious!!!
Love this!!
I am hooked on a coconut bar (store bought). After making these I don’t think I will ever eat any store bought again. I did my research and the sugar amount in the store bought is insane. These are really great to grab and go for busy people like me.
Not only being a Rawkstar has given me great recipes it has also taught me to look at the junk I have been eating. Everything (it seems) on the shelves are just full of sugar. So I have learned a lot from this program. Thank you to Jen and the gang!
Hey Sheila,
Wow you comment just put the biggest smile on my face! I am so happy to hear that you are not only enjoying the benefits of eating health but you are also taking away so much more. You are truly absorbing everything and putting it to the test. That is what Rawk the Year is all about. Not only providing you with the recipes but also educating you on how important it is to fuel your body.
Super easy to make! They taste great- not too sweet. I made them while prepping veg & smoothie kits for the week. Love that they’re vegan and gluten free!
Thank you for your feedback!!!
Dang! This recipe is soooo good! At first I was like— wow, that’s a lot of ingredients… BUT in reality it tastes so good and it makes a ton of bars. I am hooked! Thanks for sharing this recipe— I think it’s time i give up store bought bars with all that extra sugar.
Thanks Dani!
So glad that you love this recipe so much! It really is delicious and my kids prefer these over store bought bars any day 🙂
Is there something I can use other than bananas? Too much banana leaves me feeling nauseous. Or will it affect the recipe if I leave the banana out?
Hi Amy!
The banana and chia gel are the wet ingredients used to keep the bars together (and the banana gives it a little natural sweetness). Instead of all banana, you can use half applesauce and half banana. If you want to leave the banana out altogether, sub mashed pumpkin.