Finding a vegan protein bar that meets all the requirements – no refined sugar, plant-based and high in protein, and clean ingredients – can be super challenging. Instead, try making your own at home!!! These Vegan Protein Bars are no-bake and come together in just 15 minutes. If you need other healthy, high protein snack ideas, try my Cinnamon Bun Cauliflower Smoothie, gluten-free Seedy Bread, or my Vegan Chocolate Protein Pudding.
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Notes on Ingredients
- Peanut Butter: Be sure to choose a peanut butter that has only two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Many peanut butter brands sneak in added sugar or fillers that aren’t needed!
- Dried Cherries: You can sub another dried fruit here such as raisins, yellow raisins, or even dried apricots. Just know the flavor profile may change slightly.
- Hazelnuts/Cashews: You could also sub any nut here. Walnuts or pecans would be delicious!
Please take note that this is important information about the ingredients used in this recipe and the FULL recipe with measurements and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
How do you make Vegan Protein Bars?
- Blend all ingredients except for coconut and chocolate in the food processor. Blend until completely combined.
- Press mixture firmly and evenly into a 9×9 baking pan.
- Melt chocolate chips in a bowl in 30 second increments, mixing each time until melted.
- Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the granola bar mixture.
- Top with coconut and extra chocolate chips if you want.
- Let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
- Cut when you’re ready to eat them and serve!
- Step 1: First, add the cashews, pumpkin seeds, dried cherries, salt, chia seeds, hazelnuts, medjool dates, and peanut butter to a food processor.
- Step 2: Then, blend until the mixture is combined and forms a sticky dough.
- Step 3: Press the dough into an even layer in a 9×9 pan.
- Step 4: Next, in a small microwave safe dish, melt the chocolate.
- Step 5: Drizzle the melted chocolate overtop the bars.
- Step 6: Finally, spread the chocolate into an even layer and top with shredded coconut.
Commonly Asked Questions
Store the Vegan Protein Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Most definitely! Almond butter or cashew butter would be a delicious alternative.
Substitute the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and swap the nuts with sunflower and pumpkin seeds. If you are nut-free, you’ll also love these 3-Ingredient Oatmeal Banana Bites.
This recipe makes 10 bars and each bar contains approximately 7g of protein.
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Extra Helpful Tips
- Be sure to use a large food processor for the ingredients, not a blender. A blender will create an uneven texture and is meant to puree food rather than finely chop.
- Feel free to omit the chocolate topping and leave the bars plain if you prefer.
- Swap out the dried fruit and nuts for whatever you have on hand.
- Be sure to carefully pit each medjool date to avoid any pit fragments in the bars. If you love medjool dates like I do, then you have to make Vegan Snickers Stuffed Dates next.
How to Store
Store the Vegan Protein Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
If you tried these Vegan Protein Bars or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Vegan Protein Bars (no bake!)
Equipment
- 1 Food processor
- 1 mixing bowl large
- 1 baking pan 9×9
- 1 bowl small & microwave-safe
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates pitted
- ½ cup cashews raw
- ½ cup hazelnuts any other nut works
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds raw
- ½ cup dried cherries any other dried fruit works
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- ⅓ cup peanut butter creamy
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips for melting on top
- 2 tablespoon shredded coconut for topping
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients except for coconut and chocolate in the food processor. Blend until completely combined.
- Press mixture firmly and evenly into a 9×9 baking pan.
- Melt chocolate chips in a bowl in 30 second increments, mixing each time until melted.
- Spread the melted chocolate over the top of the granola bar mixture.
- Top with coconut and extra chocolate chips if you want.
- Let them sit in the fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
- Cut when you’re ready to eat them and serve!
Priya says
Hi Danielle,
I don’t see granola listed in the ingredients. Is it plain store-brought granola ?
Danielle Keith says
The whole recipe is homemade – no store bought granola.
Liz says
These are yummy! Easy to make and a great snack. Thanks!
Melissa says
I am going to try this recipe this weekend. It looks delicious! Do you happen to know the calorie/nutritional content?
Danielle Keith says
I do not! You’re welcome to add it up in My Fitness Pal though and divide by the amount of squares you cut.
Jolie Goldberg says
So yum
Arica says
Wow, these look amazing and delicious! I can’t wait to make them!
Ashley Metz says
This was so yummy! Everyone loves them! Do you happen to know the calorie intake on these?
Danielle Keith says
I don’t but feel free to add it up in my fitness pal.
Allison says
I absolutely love these!! They are perfect for a quick snack. I have already made them twice!
Danielle Keith says
YAY! They are my fave!
Dawn Burton says
What dark chocolate chips do you use?
Danielle Keith says
Enjoy life brand or Trader Joe’s
hfjabre says
What are the nutritional values on these bars?
Danielle Keith says
You can add the ingredients into my fitness pal and divide based on how many pieces you can them into! I find a big bar to be too filling so I usually make smaller squares.
I love your recipes, i will try without chocolates, sugars, etc. says
I love your recipes, i will try without chocolates and sugars.
Laurie says
I can’t find the nutrition information?thanks
Rachel says
Very easy to make but make sure you have a heavy duty processor. Mine is a little underwhelming so I had to mix it in batches. You can also calculate calories/nutrition on
http://www.very well fit.com/recipes-nutrition-analyzer-4157076
Raynie says
I made these twice and they are delicious! I cut them as pictured and thought they could even be a little smaller. Eating one for breakfast kept me full until lunch. Second time I used a bit less chocolate and I have not tried that batch yet. Give these a try, I think you will enjoy them! Great recipe!
Jen says
Could you please provide the nutrition (including calories, carbs, surgars)
Taylor From HealthyGirl Kitchen says
Hi! For nutrition information feel free to use an app like My Fitness Pal.
Cheryl says
Made these last week and they are delicious and so easy! Quick question: I found my bars were not firm when I cut them..tended to be crumbly. I made according to directions. Do you think I should try adding a little more peanut butter?
Danielle Brown says
Sure! You can add more PB or dates.
Joanne L Nigbor says
I haven’t tried yet, but nutrition I got putting into MyFitnessPal was 241 cal 25g carbs 15g fat 5g protein 35g sodium 17g sugar. I used Natural peanut butter in there.
Elaine says
Hi, Danielle. I have your cookbook, and I am just loving it! I make your energy balls all the time. I’m going to try these protein bars since it will be quicker to make. Have you tried the protein bars with almond butter vs. peanut butter?
Taylor From HealthyGirl Kitchen says
You can use either!
Diane Taylor says
I don’t own a food processor. Will it be as successful if I mix it by hand with a wooden spoon? I’m really looking forward to making them.
Taylor From HealthyGirl Kitchen says
You may have to chop some of the ingredients like the dates, first, but otherwise it should be okay, just may be chunkier and not as well blended.
Christina Blake says
I added almond flavoring and 1/4 toasted quinoa and a little honey. Sooo good.
Linear Bar says
These homemade protein bars look delicious! Love that they’re vegan and oil-free—perfect for anyone looking for a healthier snack option. The combination of oats and peanut butter sounds like a great base! Do you have any suggestions for swapping the sweetener, like using maple syrup instead of agave? Can’t wait to try these out!
Taylor From HealthyGirl Kitchen says
yes! you could use date syrup or maple syrup.
Michelle Bird says
Hi.
Can I add some protein powder, or will this make them too dry?
Thanks.
Taylor From HealthyGirl Kitchen says
yes! Depending how much you add will depend if you need to add extra peanut butter.
Adrienne Baker says
These were delicious! I added a scoop of OWYN 20g protein powder to the mixture and then another 1/2 scoop to the melted chocolate. The entire recipe now has 30g of extra protein. I will keep these on permanent rotation!
Jordan Stacy says
These are the perfect homemade healthy snack that will keep you full and taste like dessert!!