Vegan Protein Bars Anyone Can Make

I found myself doing a lot of outdoor workouts this week.

Right as the weather started cooling down, a little rain rolled in, and the park trails turned muddy.

Yep. This is actually my favorite time of year to train outside.

The air is crisp, it's not truly cold yet, and a quick warm-up is all it takes before I start peeling off the layers I pile on for the scooter ride.

Last Saturday, I went for a long run in Ariel Sharon Park (a large park on the southern edge of Tel Aviv, Israel). Other than one brave couple I passed on a loop, I had the place entirely to myself.

Just me, the rain clouds, and the mud.

When I got home, a little waterlogged and with muddy shoes, a cold protein shake wasn't exactly calling my name.

I wanted something sweet to nibble on with a hot cup of tea.

It is winter, after all.

So I mixed oats with protein powder and a few extras, then popped the whole thing in the oven for half an hour.

By the time I got out of a hot shower, I had sweet, delicious vegan protein bars waiting for me. Exactly what I wanted after that workout.

They're so good and so easy that anyone can make them. Really.

A Few Notes About the Recipe

I made these gluten-free using gluten-free oat flour and some gluten-free oats I'd received.

If you're sensitive to gluten, make sure both your oats and oat flour are labeled gluten-free.

I didn't add any sugar to the batter because, to me, the banana, raisins, and chocolate make it sweet enough.

Not sweet enough for you? Add a sweetener you like. Just keep in mind that, depending on the sweetener, it will increase the calories and carbs accordingly.

I used 2 scoops of vanilla soy protein powder. I think chocolate protein powder would work beautifully here, too.

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When to Eat Them

Have 2–3 bars after a workout, or 4 with breakfast, for a nice boost toward your daily protein needs.

Don't tell anyone, but I also like to nibble on 2 before bed.

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Nutrition information provided by Noam Bachar (an Israeli clinical dietitian and fitness coach):

One vegan protein bar (out of 20), weighing 35 g (1.2 oz), contains:

• 80 calories
• 5 grams protein
• 12 grams carbohydrates
• 2 grams fat

Looking for more vegan protein bars? Head this way.

Vegan Protein Bars

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Yield 20 bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup oat flour (oats finely ground into flour in a blender)
• 1 banana ripe
• 1 handful raisins 40 g (1.4 oz)
• 50 g (1.8 oz) dark chocolate
• 1 cup soy milk
• 2 scoops vegan protein powder 80 g (2.8 oz)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon oil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a deep mixing bowl, mash the ripe banana with a fork until smooth.
3. Add all the remaining ingredients except the chocolate and oil.

4. Chop half the chocolate with a knife and add it to the batter.
   Set the other half aside.

5. Mix the batter thoroughly and let it sit briefly to thicken.

   Transfer to a greased baking pan and spread into an even layer.

6. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Melt the reserved chocolate in the microwave or in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water.
8. Stir in the teaspoon of oil to thin the chocolate, then drizzle it over the top.
9. Let cool well, for at least 20 minutes, before cutting.
10. Store in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Recipe Video