These 6 ingredient Vegan Protein Bars are so quick and easy to prepare and are the perfect grab-n-go breakfast or snack!
I love adding vegan protein powder to all kids of things, including overnight oats, vegan protein balls, protein baked oatmeal and especially these 6 ingredient vegan protein bars! Usually my go-to snack recipe is this 5 ingredient energy bite recipe, but lately I've been keeping our fridge stocked with these peanut butter protein bars. They are just too easy to make and we love the texture that the puffed rice cereal adds!
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Why This Recipe Works!
- These 6 ingredient vegan protein bars come together in minutes and last for weeks in the fridge, making them the perfect make-ahead snack.
- We love making these bars with peanut butter for the flavor and added protein, but you can use any nut or seed butter you want!
- These protein bars are super adaptable. Switch up the brand of protein powder you use for a completely different flavor. Swap the puffed rice cereal for another kind of mix-in to make these bars gluten-free. Use a seed butter if you have a peanut allergy.
Ingredients
- Quick Oats - Quick oats are always my go-to type of oatmeal to use in these vegan protein bars...or any kind of no-bake energy bite recipe. Because they've been broken down into smaller pieces than rolled oats, they stick together better, making for a more compact, portable granola bar.
- Crispy Rice Cereal - I usually just grab Rice Krispies Cereal, but I know there are other brands of puffed rice that could also work. I basically just like the crunchy texture a little cereal provides.
- Vegan Protein Powder - I usually use a vanilla protein powder in this recipe as it's more neutral in flavor, but you can use whatever protein powder you have on hand that you think would pair well with peanut butter. Some of my favorite brands of vegan protein powder are Orgain, Women's Best and California Gold Nutrition. If you use an unsweetened and unflavored protein powder, then these protein bars won't be as sweet.
- Ground Flaxseed - Ground flaxseed helps to bind these granola bars together. Plus, flaxseeds are packed with nutrition!
- Peanut Butter - I usually use my homemade peanut butter because it's inexpensive and high in protein. You want to use natural, unsweetened, runny peanut butter. Don't use peanut butter with hydrogenated vegetable oils.
- Liquid Sweetener - The type of liquid sweetener you use can vary. I personally like to use a thicker sweetener such as brown rice syrup or honey. You can also use maple syrup, agave, etc.
See recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions
🔀 Puffed Rice Cereal - Traditional Rice Krispies Cereal contains malt which means they aren't gluten-free. So if you would like to make these protein bars gluten-free, swap out the Rice Krispies for a certified gluten-free puffed rice cereal or some other kind of mix-in.
🔀 Peanut Butter - If you have an allergy to peanuts or can't pack peanut products in your or your kid's lunches, use a different kind of nut or seed butter!
🔀 Vegan Protein Powder - You can use whatever protein powder you like or have on hand!
Variations
Cookie Dough Protein Bars - To make a cookie dough flavored protein bar, use cashew butter instead of peanut butter and add in some dairy-free chocolate chips. Yum!
Snickerdoodle Protein Bars - Use cashew butter or almond butter instead of peanut butter and use a cinnamon flavored protein powder. Or just add cinnamon into the dry ingredients. You can even press some cinnamon and sugar into the top of the bars for that classic snickerdoodle taste.
Chocolate Protein Bars - Use chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla. Add in some chocolate chips to make the bars double chocolate.
How to Make Vegan Protein Bars
In a large mixing bowl, stir together all of the dry ingredients.
Add in the nut butter and liquid sweetener and stir until a thick, sticky dough forms.
Pour the dough out onto a silicone baking mat and press the dough into a rectangle. Place the dough into the fridge to chill.
Once chilled, cut the rectangle into bars, or whatever shape you desire.
Hint: If the dough is sticking to your hands as you press it into a rectangle, wet your hands slightly. Using damp hands will keep the dough from sticking to you.
Storage
Once you cut the dough into bars, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, you can flash freeze them on a baking sheet on some parchment paper and then transfer them to a freezer safe container. They should keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
My Top Tips
- If the dough seems to dry, you can always add a little bit more nut butter or sweetener to the dough until it holds together when pressed between your fingers. Just remember that if you use a sweetened protein powder, you probably won't want to add too much more liquid sweetener.
- Use damp hands when you're pressing the dough into a rectangle.
- Peanut butter adds the most protein to these vegan protein bars and is the most inexpensive, but if you have an allergy to peanuts, you can always use another kind of nut or seed butter.
Recipe FAQs
It depends on which brand of protein bars you buy as to whether they will be vegan or not. Many brands use whey protein in their bars or ingredients such as egg whites which aren't vegan. If you want vegan protein bars, just be sure to check the packaging to ensure they are vegan!
It's easy to get enough protein as a vegan, especially if you're eating enough and eating a well-balanced diet. Beans, tofu, tempeh, nuts, seeds, whole grains and dark leafy greens provide lots of protein to people eating a plant-based diet. Vegans can also supplement their diet with vegan protein powder if desired.
Most protein powders aren't vegan as they contain whey and other dairy products. However, there are a lot of vegan protein powders on the market now. Vegan protein powders would be made with soy, pea, brown rice and/or seeds.
More Vegan Protein Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- ½ cup puffed rice cereal such as rice krispies
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- 1 ½ scoops vegan protein powder (45 grams)
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup liquid sweetener such as maple syrup, honey, agave...
Instructions
- Stir all of the dry ingredients (quick oats, puffed cereal, ground flaxseed and protein powder) together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the peanut butter and liquid sweetener and stir until a thick, sticky dough forms.
- Pour the dough out onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and press it into a rectangle, about 1 inch thick. Place the baking sheet into the fridge to chill for about 1 hour.
- Cut the rectangle into bars or whatever shape you desire.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
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