Made with wholesome oats, vanilla protein powder, nut butter, and the natural sweetness of dates, these easy Vegan Protein Bars are the perfect midday pick-me-up, post-workout snack, or on-the-go breakfast.
The world holds two kinds of people: those who walk around with healthy snacks like today’s vegan protein bars (and Trail Mix Granola Bars) tucked into their bags at all times, and those with snack envy (and hanger).
You know which group I’m in!
After years of spending too much money on pricey store-bought protein bars, I decided to start making my own.
Today’s vegan protein bars have been my loyal snack partner ever since (right alongside these easy Peanut Butter Protein Bars).
Made with dates, oats, vegan protein powder, and the nut butter of your choice, along with optional mix-ins like chocolate chips and chia seeds, these easy energy bars require zero baking (like my favorite Energy Balls).
They come together in a snap and store beautifully.
5 Star Review
“These are delicious and so much healthier and economical in the long run than store-bought protein bars, which I like to have on hand.”
— Margaret —
How to Make Vegan Protein Bars
No more wondering where to buy vegan protein bars or which protein bars (or Protein Balls) are the healthiest!
These are less expensive, taste wonderful, and are made from whole foods you can pronounce.
Truly, this is the best vegan protein bars recipe you will find.
The Ingredients
- Protein Powder. Use your favorite brand of vegan protein powder. I like to use vanilla protein powder for an extra boost of flavor.
- Dates. Instead of honey (not vegan), I made these chewy vegan protein bars with dates (like these Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls). Naturally sweet and caramel-y, dates are also rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Rolled Oats. A powerhouse whole grain ingredient packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Rolled oats and quick oats both work well in this recipe.
- Peanut Butter. The “glue” that holds these plant-based protein bars together (and these Peanut Butter Protein Balls). Peanut butter offers healthy fats, is low in carbs, and tastes scrumptious. Feel free to use whatever nut butter you enjoy most (cashew butter or almond butter would both be divine).
- Chia Seeds. Despite being so tiny, chia seeds contain an impressive amount of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. (I also love adding them to these Oatmeal Protein Cookies.)
- Chocolate Chips. An optional (or mandatory) mix-in depending on your position as a chocolate lover. I love the added sweetness and depth they lend these bars. (Make sure to select dairy-free chocolate to keep these bars vegan.)
- Almond Milk. Since every brand of nut butter is different, the almond milk keeps the bars from being too dry and ensures you can adjust the bars to the perfect texture.
- Salt. FLAVOR! Salt makes other ingredients pop.
TIP!
For a lovely contrast of salty/sweet, try sprinkling the bars with a pinch of flaky sea salt after pressing them into the pan.
The Directions
- Add peanut butter, dates, and oats to a food processor, pulsing until the ingredients break down.
- Add the chia seeds, protein powder, and almond milk.
- Pulse until thoroughly combined, transfer to a mixing bowl, then fold the chocolate chips in.
TIP!
The texture of the mixture should resemble cookie dough when properly mixed.
- Press the dough into a pan, chill until firm, then slice into bars. ENJOY!
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Brownie Protein Bars. Use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla protein powder. Add a teaspoon or so of cocoa powder to taste (be careful, it is powerful).
- Protein Bars with Flax. Swap ground flaxseed meal for the chia seeds. Organic pumpkin seeds would also be a nice way to add extra crunch.
- Double Chocolate Protein Bars. Use chocolate protein powder. Instead of folding chocolate chips into the batter, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled bars (or do both).
- Low-Calorie Protein Bars. Omit the chocolate chips and swap them for dried blueberries or dried cranberries.
- Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars. Adds a few chopped peanut butter cups (or candy bar of choice) to the mixture for an indulgent treat.
- Vegan Protein Bars with Almond Butter. Swap almond butter for peanut butter to get an extra boost of vitamin E and healthy fats.
- Soy-Free Protein Bars. Opt for a plant-based protein powder that does not contain soy.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Due to their “no bake” consistency, the bars will become soft at room temperature.
- To Freeze. Place the bars in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to Serve with Vegan Protein Bars
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Food Processor. This one is the perfect size for making jumbo batches of no-bake snacks, bars, and balls.
- Measuring Cups. A basic set of measuring cups is a must for any kitchen.
- Storage Containers. This set is my fav for storing all of my best energy balls and bar recipes.
The Best Food Processor
This food processor is a pricier option but well worth the investment if you regularly make protein bars and energy bites.
Have you ever tried making your own protein bars?
Whether this recipe is your first attempt or your 50th, I know it’ll be a welcome addition to your healthy snack routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dates are pretty key in this recipe for both sweetness and texture. If you are looking for a protein bar recipe without dates, you can try adding a scoop of protein powder to these No Bake Granola Bars. Or make my regular Peanut Butter Protein Bars with vegan protein powder; swap maple syrup for the honey.
Vegan Protein Bars No Sugar?
While this recipe contains no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, there are natural sugars in these vegan protein bars that come from the dates. However, relative to other recipes, these protein bars have less sugar content.
Sure! If you prefer balls rather than bars, you can shape the dough into balls instead.
No. This particular vegan protein bar recipe doesn’t contain coconut oil. If you like, you can experiment with replacing a tablespoon of the peanut butter with coconut oil.
Vegan Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter plus 2 tablespoons
- 10 medjool dates pitted (about 1 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flaxseed meal
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder vegan if desired (I tested the recipe with Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Booster, which is unfortunately no longer available)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 to 4 tablespoons almond milk
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides like handles.
- To the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the peanut butter, dates, and rolled oats. Pulse several times until the mixture breaks down, and the ingredients begin to incorporate with one another.
- Scrape down the bowl then add the chia seeds, protein powder, salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Pulse until all ingredients are well combined. Depending on your food processor, this may take a few minutes.
- Check the consistency of your dough. When you pick up a small handful of it and squeeze, it should hold together and resemble cookie dough. If it is too dry, continue pulsing in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach the right consistency. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Add the chocolate chips and, with a spatula (or your fingers), stir to combine the chips and moisten any bits of dough that the food processor didn't incorporate evenly.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it into an even, flat layer. Transfer the pan to the freezer for 15 minutes or to the refrigerator for 1 hour, until the bars firm up.
- Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment handles and transfer them to a cutting board. Slice into bars of the desired size (I made 12) and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Due to their “no bake” consistency, the bars will become soft at room temperature.
- TO FREEZE: Place the bars in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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I’m wondering what size bar is the nutrition information based on? The recipe just states to cut the bars to desired size. Thank you.
Hi Sandi! This is based on cutting 12 bars from an 8×8 baking pan. If you want an approximate estimate based on your ingredients and portion size, I recommend using a nutrition calculator like MyFitnessPal. I hope this helps!
Made these as soon as I saw the recipe today – they turned out great! I make some sort of ball/bar like this weekly and this recipe will definitely be my new go to! I added flaxseed and brewers yeast because I’m nursing but my husband enjoyed it too!
Susanna, I am SO pleased to hear it, thank you for sharing this wonderful review!!
Hi Erin! Thank you for the wonderful recipe, I enjoyed these very much. — I just had one question? When I add the recipe to My Fitness Pal, for 12 bars it gives me Calories at 336 Fats 20g Carbs 34g Protein 12g. It’s the Calories & fats that concern me the most. Is this an error on their part?
Tip: My son thinks this recipe would work well as a base for a cheesecake, what do you think? :)
Brenda, the nutrition info can definitely vary based on the different brands that you use, especially when it comes to brands of nut butter and chocolate, but I do think that looks pretty high fat content wise. I double checked the calculator I use (it’s actually built right into the recipe card I use to format and code the recipes online) and it seems accurate. My Fitness Pal (sadly) isn’t always accurate for every entry. I calced the info using JIF natural peanut butter. I wish I could help more to figure out what might have happened on your end. Regardless, I am SO GLAD you loved this recipe and that your son did too. I feel like I would definitely try these underneath a no-bake cheesecake (I mean, why not??!!). Thanks for sharing your review!
Thank you Erin. I will follow your nutritional information & enjoy these often!
SO happy to hear this, Brenda!
Peanut Butter, Protein powder, Dates & Oats what a great combination and that too full of proteins. If someone looking for a quick protein source here is it. Those notes which you mentioned in this recipe are very helpful and very easy to understand. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us.
So glad it was helpful. I hope you love the bars!
Hello, is there a substitute for the protein powered thing, or can it be left out?
Recipe looks great but I’m in at home due to current situation and only going out for essentials.
Thanks
Hi Jan! Unfortunately, I’ve only tried this recipe with the protein powder, so I can’t vouch for the results without it. However, other readers have reported success with leaving it out. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to hear how it goes!
If the bars fall apart, what does that mean? Do I need more nut butter or more sticky dates? Thank you!
Hi Erin, I’m sorry to hear that these didn’t stay together for you. Did you make any adjustments to the recipe? The peanut butter does help hold the bars together after they’ve had time to chill in the refrigerator/freezer, so you could try adding some additional. I hope this helps!
I’ve made this recipe multiple times since it was posted, and in my book, that deserves five stars! It’s easy and quick to make, no baking required (great for hot, summer months), no added sugars, and most importantly, they’re delicious! Thanks Erin, I will continue to come back to this recipe again and again.
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed the bars, Tina! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Hi, I am very exciting to try these delicious bars. I just had a question. I am a nurse and was trying to research an easy healthy breakfast bar that would hold me over until lunch time. In the nutrition label above, I see that there are 14g of sugar, but at the top of the page I see that it says “Made with oats, dates, nut butter, and NO sugar.” Would you be able to explain the discrepancy in the sugar count. Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Cat! The sugar in the nutrition label also includes natural sugars that you will find in some of these ingredients. When I say no sugar, I mean there is no processed or added sugar. The chocolate chips have sugar, but you can definitely put in sugar free chocolate chips or leave them out. Hope this helps!
These are delicious and so much healthier and economical in the long run than store-bought protein bars, which I like to have on hand. I didn’t have quite enough dates, so I used 1/2 cup dates, and 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots. I also left out the chocolate chips. Thank you for a great protein bar recipe that is simple and wholesome!
Hi Margaret! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi! I am interested to know if these will become mushy while hiking? Can I carry these overnight and they will stay together? Thank you!
Hi Agatha! While I can’t specifically say they will hold up while hiking, I will say due to their “no bake” consistency, the bars will become soft at room temperature, so I would keep that in mind.
Love these!!! I had some chocolate protein powder, so I used that. Very easy to make and really taste great. Thanks!
Hi Cathi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Made these tonight and they are delish! Even my kids said they are better than the Perfect bars (they said they liked that they’re not too sticky like the Perfect bars are). I used a little over 1 cup of peanuts (I make my own peanut butter but didn’t have a batch ready so just threw the peanuts in as the peanut butter-took awhile but it worked!) I used Orgain Simple’s Vanilla protein powder and goats milk. Soooo good! Thank you!
Hi EV! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Tasty, easy to make, healthy!
Hi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
this recipe is just what I have been looking for!!!! All the protein bars on the market have so many additives & not a lot of protein. I don’t like chocolate & they all have chocolate.
I crushed the chia seeds , they stick in my teeth otherwise & added raisins ….. so unbelievably
YUMMY !!!! No going back to store bought
Thank you !!!!
Hi SHANNA! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I just made these but realized I didn’t put in any salt because it’s listed in the ingredients, but not in the recipe, so I totally missed it. Where would you add that?
Hi Allison! Oops! Thanks for the letting me know, we will get that fixed! It would go in with the protein powder! Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!
Hi Erin,
What is the sodium content in the recipe as you’ve presented it? Unfortunately I need the protein and calcium levels high, AND to keep my sodium intake low.
Hi Amy! I stopped including sodium info because it can vary so much depending upon what products you used, and I found a lot of conflicting info online, so ultimately I didn’t feel comfortable publishing it because sometimes it wasn’t even in the ballpark. If you’d like to calculate it yourself, there are lots of free tools online (myfitnesspal.com is popular). I hope that helps!