These tasty 9-ingredient Almond Butter Protein Bars are a no bake, gluten free and perfectly sweet snack! Grab one post-workout or when you’re rushing out the door.
How can you make a homemade protein bar even better? Pack it full of almond butter!
These delightfully sweet and easy no bake Almond Butter Protein Bars are just so tasty. After a quick 10 minute prep time, these homemade bars head into the fridge to set. They’re one of the best snacks you can grab for work, after the gym, or when you’re craving something delicious and filling (kinda like my superfood breakfast cookies)!
The recipe is naturally gluten free, and was inspired by my love of Perfect Bars. The bars are also really healthy, just like my raw fig bars and paleo sweet potato bars. If you’re looking for a little more fun, go ahead and toss in some chocolate chips or nuts to the batch. They’ll still taste delicious and be full of good stuff!
Recipe features
- An easy, 9-ingredient no bake protein bar recipe.
- It’s so easy. Just throw everything in one bowl, mix, and leave them to set!
- The perfect protein-packed snack for after a hard workout.
Ingredient notes:
- Almond butter - Use a brand just almonds or almonds and salt listed as the ingredients for the best results. Or use peanut butter, cashew butter, or a nut free seed butter instead.
- Honey - I don't recommend using maple syrup; honey holds these bars together really well because it's thicker and stickier. If you use maple syrup, you'll have to adjust the measurements of some of the other ingredients.
- Almond and oat flour - The combination of these two keto-friendly flours give the energy bars extra protein, flavor, and help everything hold together. You can try using just one or the other but the bars may turn out more crumbly.
- Protein powder - I prefer vanilla but you can use any brand or flavor of vegan or whey protein powder you love!
- Chia seeds - Because who doesn’t love omega-3’s and fiber in their healthy energy bars?
Feel like adding more stuff? You can mix in chocolate chips, nuts, vanilla extract, hemp seeds, rolled oats, or dried fruit for fun and extra flavorful bars!
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Stir the wet ingredients. Stir the almond butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla together in a large bowl.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients. To the bowl with the wet mixture, add the almond flour, oat flour, protein powder, and chia seeds. Stir it all together until you have a thick mixture.
Step 3: Form and chill the bars. Transfer the bar “dough” to a parchment paper-lined baking dish. Use your hands to press it down and to the edges. Sprinkle some sea salt on top and let them chill and set in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Step 4: Slice and enjoy! Once they’re set, pull the bars out of the fridge and cut them into 10 pieces. Grab one and enjoy!
Tips and FAQs
- The thickness of the bar “dough” will depend on your almond butter. If it’s too runny, add ⅓ cup almond flour to the mixture. If it’s too thick, add 1 tablespoon honey to thin it out.
- Top the bars with melted chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
- An 8x8 rimmed baking dish is best.
- For the best results, let the no bake protein bars chill overnight in the fridge.
What kind of protein powder is best for protein bars?
Any kind you like! Vanilla protein powder has a nice flavor that pairs well with the rest of the ingredients but chocolate or caramel would also be tasty. If you like the flavor of the bars on their own, I recommend using plain protein powder.
You can replace the protein powder with collagen but only use half of a scoop.
Can they be made without nuts?
You can try making these protein bars nut free but they may not hold together as well. Replace the nut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini and the almond flour with more oat flour.
Can they be made oil free?
Sure! Just replace the coconut oil with more honey or maple syrup.
How long do protein bars last?
These protein bars will last for 2 to 3 weeks when kept covered in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze protein bars?
Absolutely! Just wrap the bars in plastic and store them in the freezer for about 1 month.
More protein-packed snacks
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Almond Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup almond flour
- ⅔ cup oat flour
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir the almond butter, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla together.
- Then, add the almond flour, oat flour, protein powder, and chia seeds and stir to combine. The mixture will be thick, so after stirring with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, you'll want to use your hands to finish mixing. (see "notes" below if the mixture isn't coming together).
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick spray. Place the bar mixture into the dish, and use your hands to press it down, then sprinkle the bars with sea salt, pressing it into the bars.
- Place the dish into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight.
- Last, pull on the parchment paper to remove the bars, then slice them into 10 bars. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally published in June 2016. It was updated with new text and photos in December 2021.
Tara says
I would love to try this recipe and wondering what you would use more of to replace the oat flour? More protein powder or coconut flour, or both?
Thank you!
Erin says
Great question! I think using coconut flour *should* work since these are no bake, but I'd start with 1/3 cup and increase as needed. Let me know how they turn out!
Kathi Perkins says
Made them tried them loved them!!!
Erin says
Woohoooo!! Thanks for the comment.
Barb says
Can you substitute pure vanilla for the vanilla protein powder?
Debra White says
I am not finding the nutrition information for these
Erin says
Just added!
Alex Jordan says
Like so many others, I have no problem keeping the weight on and I probably eat too many protein bars. Sure they’re vegan, but they’re still somewhat processed and usually have too much sugar. Yours, however, look awesome and, I imagine, are much healthier. I will be making these soon! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen says
Oh my gosh you crack me up. I can only imagine the look on your face while these over-bearing dog parents try to tell you what's up. Hahaha.
Next time you just hand them (or throw?) one of these bars and say "thankyouverymuch"
Erin says
It's the -_- emoji all day hahah
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Oh wow, Erin these bars look fantastic! I could hardly keep my eyes off them while reading!
Whie I haven't had other dog owners give me advice about my dog rearing skills, other people have felt the need to chime in on parenting - or more so what my daughter is/will be like - For example - "hmmm, yeah you think she is going to be all about books when she gets to high school, but those boys/hormones are gonna have her hooked" ...hmmm...my daughter is 17 and stiill drives herself to get those good grades over finding a boyfriend... hmmm....
Erin says
Yeahhhh I imagine the unwanted comments are even more annoying with kids. Perhaps unavoidable though? I've been telling myself it is what it is.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
These look SO good! I love the flavor of almond butter and these look like the perfect snack!
Bethany @ athletic avocado says
LOVE LOVE LOVE no bake protein bars! In fact, later this week I'm posting a no-bake protein bar recipe too! I guess great minds think alike 😉
I have a labor doodle who is super friendly and likes to jump on people, so she'll go up to random people and start licking them. There was this one guy (obvs. not a dog person) who got really mad and said to us that we shouldn't take her on walks anymore. Like yeah ok, NO!
Erin says
HAHA you're like ok yes because that makes sense..... looooove it.
Julia Mueller says
I didn't realize you were developing recipes for AE - this is so COOL! Congrats, m'dear! Thankfully, I'm not allergic to almonds, so naturally I am ALL over almond butter + these protein bars o' bliss. I need this ASAP!
Erin says
Thanks Julia! 🙂
Barb says
Can you substitute pure vanilla for the vanilla protein powder?
Erin says
Hi! In order for these to be the correct texture, you have to use more dry ingredients. If you don't want to use protein powder, I'd add extra flour instead.
Marina @ A Dancer's Live-It says
Hooray for homemade protein bars! Love these. What brand of protein powder do you like to use? I currently have Sunwarrior Vanilla.
Erin says
Ohhh I actually haven't tried Sunwarrior but I've heard good things. I either use Plant Fusion or Vega!
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
Ugh, the unwanted pet advice! I can totally relate. My poor Bella is so old and she gets pretty overheated when going on walks in the summer, but they're her favorite part of the day so I take her anyway, even if it's just a quick 10 minutes. People will comment, "wow, she looks so hot, poor thing. You need to get her some water!" as if I just made my dog run a marathon with me. I just want to say, no it's only been 6 minutes. She's just old haha.
Erin says
Oh my gosh yes that sounds exactly like the situations I've been encountering. So not necessary!
Christina @ The Blissful Balance says
These are absolutely gorgeous. Love your rustic-looking photography! And yeah, I would be super irritated if someone tried to tell me how to take care of my dog. Or just anything in my life lol #idowhatiwant
Erin says
EXACTLY. Thanks Christina!
Monica says
looks super easy and delicious! Gotta give it a try 🙂