It frustrates me to no end how expensive protein bars are if you try to buy them from the store! Especially if you are trying to find ones that are gluten free and plant based. So instead of continuing to spend too much money on buying them, I decided to make my own instead! Of course they are plant based and gluten free, but they are also refined sugar free. No more wondering what some of those crazy ingredients are on the nutrition label – you’ll know exactly what is going into these!
Ingredients
- Flax + Water – This acts similar to an egg as it is a binder. It also add more moisture and bulk to the bars. It’s important to let this mixture sit before using so the flax can absorb some of the water, making it into more of a gel.
- Peanut Butter – It is definitely better to use natural peanut butter in this recipe! It’s best to use one that has some oil on the top from separation like Teddie’s peanut butter. You should mix the peanut butter before using.
- Dairy Free Chocolate Chips – As seen in other recipes, I used enjoy life chocolate chips for this. There are definitely other brands out there, but I love that enjoy life is free of many major allergens (like gluten!!!).
Substitutions
- Peanut Butter – If you’re not a fan of peanut butter or if you’re allergic, you could definitely switch this out for a different type of nut butter like almond butter!
- Maple Syrup – If you’re not vegan, you can swap out the maple syrup for honey, although the bars may come out slightly sweeter if you do so. Another option would be to exchange the maple syrup for agave.
Cookie Dough Protein Bars
Vegan and gluten free protein packed bars you can take on the go! Each bar comes in at 12 grams of protein!
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely ground gluten free oats
- 1 cup peanut butter (Use no sugar or salt added (natural) peanut butter!)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup flax seed meal
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine the water and flax seed meal in a bowl. Stir and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Combine the ground oats, peanut butter, and maple syrup in another bowl.
- Add in the flax and water mixture and stir.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir.
- Line a 9 x 9 square pan with parchment paper.
- Press the protein bar mixture into the pan until it is evenly spread out and there is no gaps.
- Refrigerate for an hour before consuming. Can be stored in the fridge when not being eaten.
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