Homemade Vegan Protein Bars

Making your own vegan protein bars at home is a fantastic way to control the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking.

Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup protein powder (such as pea or rice protein)
• 1/4 cup almond butter or any nut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave syrup
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
• 1/4 cup seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, or chia seeds)
• 1/4 cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, or chopped dates)
• 2-3 tablespoons water or plant-based milk (as needed for consistency)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Optional add-ins:1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (vegan)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or other spices
• 2 tablespoons shredded coconut

Instructions:

Prepare the base:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, protein powder, and a pinch of salt.

Mix in your choice of seeds and dried fruits.

Mix wet ingredients:

In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the nut butter and maple syrup until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Combine:

Pour the nut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir until everything is coated. 

If the mixture is too dry, add a little water or plant-based milk to help everything stick together.

Add extras:

If using, fold in chocolate chips, spices, or shredded coconut.

Press and chill:

Line an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking dish with parchment paper.

Transfer the mixture to the dish, pressing it down firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon or your hands.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.

Cut and serve:

Once set, lift the mixture out of the dish using the parchment paper and cut into bars.
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Estimated Calories:

To estimate the calorie content for the Homemade Vegan Protein Bars, let's analyze each ingredient:

• Rolled Oats: 1 cup of rolled oats contains approximately 307 calories.
• Protein Powder: 1/2 cup of vegan protein powder (like pea or rice protein) generally has around 120-150 calories, depending on the brand and type.
• Almond Butter: 1/4 cup of almond butter contains about 400 calories.
• Maple Syrup: 1/4 cup of maple syrup has approximately 210 calories.
• Chopped Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans): 1/4 cup has about 200 calories.
• Seeds (Sunflower, Pumpkin, Chia): 1/4 cup of mixed seeds approximates 150-180 calories.
• Dried Fruit (Cranberries, Raisins, Dates): 1/4 cup contains about 100 calories.
• Plant-based Milk/Water: Negligible calories for the small amount used.
• Vanilla Extract: Negligible calories.
• Optional Dark Chocolate Chips: 1/4 cup of vegan chocolate chips would add about 200 calories.
• Optional Cinnamon, Spices, Shredded Coconut: Minimal calories for spices; 2 tablespoons of coconut would add about 40 calories.

Adding these up gives us the total calorie content for the mixture:

• Rolled Oats: 307 calories
• Protein Powder: 135 calories (average)
• Almond Butter: 400 calories
• Maple Syrup: 210 calories
• Chopped Nuts: 200 calories
• Seeds: 165 calories (average)
• Dried Fruit: 100 calories
• Chocolate Chips (optional): 200 calories
• Coconut (optional): 40 calories

Now, let's compute the total and then divide by the number of bars you expect to make from this batch to get the calories per bar. Let's assume we make about 12 bars.

The total calorie content for the entire batch of Homemade Vegan Protein Bars is approximately 1757 calories. If you divide this batch into 12 bars, each bar would contain about 146 calories. This makes them a nutritious and energy-boosting snack, ideal for fueling your activities throughout the day!

These bars are not only packed with protein but also provide a good balance of healthy fats and carbohydrates, making them a perfect snack for energy throughout the day. 

Enjoy creating your perfect protein bar!