Vegan Peanut Butter Oat Protein Bars

These Vegan Peanut Butter Oat Protein Bars are no bake, gluten free and could easily pass as a healthy dessert drizzled with dark chocolate. They are super satisfying and come together easily with just a bowl and a spoon. Perfect to stash in your fridge or freezer for a quick snack or after dinner treat.

The great thing about this recipe is that it works with a range of protein powders. You can also make the bars without protein powder by substituting extra oats. I go through all of these options in more detail below.

No bake peanut butter protein bars

Since these peanut butter protein bars are no bake, all you have to do is press the mixture into a tin or container, then chill it in the refrigerator. I use an 8 inch or 20 cm square dish to make the bars.

You can also roll the mixture into protein balls if you prefer. I say roll, but you actually need to press the mixture into balls. Just squash some of the mixture firmly between your hands to form a ball, then finish off by rolling it between the palms of your hands to smooth it out.

Protein powder options

I make these vegan peanut butter oat protein bars with unflavored protein powder. Any variety will work. Vegan powders like pea protein isolate or brown rice protein powder are good options. You can also make the bars with non-vegan powders like whey protein powder, collagen powder or egg white protein powder.

If there is a flavored protein powder that you enjoy, you can go ahead and use it. I would just stick to neutral flavors like vanilla or chocolate so they don’t clash with the peanut butter.

How to make these bars without protein powder

You can also make these protein bars without protein powder. Just use extra oat flour as a substitute. The recipe already calls for some oat flour, so it’s easy to just add some more. You can buy oat flour or make your own by blending rolled oats in food processor or blender until you get a powder.

I usually blend a large batch of rolled oats into a powder, then store it in an airtight jar or container in the pantry for easy use in recipes. When making your own oat flour, just make sure no water or moisture gets into the oats while blending and storing them. You want your dry goods like oats and flours to stay dry while storing them to avoid bacterial growth.

Ingredients for vegan peanut butter oat protein bars

• Peanut butter: Natural smooth peanut butter works best in this recipe. The ingredients should just list peanuts and salt.
• Brown rice syrup: I use brown rice syrup, also known as rice malt syrup, to sweeten the protein bars. It’s fructose free with a thick texture. Maple syrup, honey and sugar-free syrups also work if you prefer.
• Coconut oil: Coconut oil helps the bars set firm. You want it to be softened or melted before adding it to the mixture. Then it firms up when you chill the bars.
• Oat flour: Oat flour gives the bars a chewy texture and adds some additional protein. You can make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats in a food processor or blender to get a powder.
• Desiccated coconut: Coconut adds some natural sweetness to the bars. I use unsweetened desiccated coconut.
• Protein powder: Most protein powders will work in this recipe, but I usually use unflavored pea protein isolate. I go through a range of protein powder options and substitutes above.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract is totally optional, but I highly recommend it to give the bars a dessert vibe.
• Salt: Who doesn’t love salted peanut butter? If your peanut butter isn’t salted, I would increase the amount of salt added to taste.

More vegan protein recipes

• Choc Mint Protein Balls
• Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Slice
• No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls
• Nut Free Cookie Dough Protein Bars

You can find more ideas on the Protein Powder Recipes page.

Vegan Peanut Butter Oat Protein Bars Recipe

Notes

1. Brown rice syrup substitutions – You can also use maple syrup, which is sweeter than brown rice syrup, or honey. Honey has a robust flavor, so it will give the bars a strong honey taste. Sugar-free syrups also work if you want sugar-free protein bars.
2. Oat flour – Make your own oat flour by blending the same weight of rolled oats in a blender or food processor until you get a powder.
3. Pea protein powder substitutions – This recipe works with most protein powders. Brown rice protein, vegan protein blends, whey, collagen or egg white protein powder all work. If you don’t have protein powder, extra oat flour can also be used as a substitute. I use unflavored protein powder, but neutral flavors like vanilla or chocolate shouldn’t clash with the peanut butter.
4. Storage – Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge. The bars also freeze well. I usually keep enough bars for a few days in the fridge and freeze the leftovers. Then I just defrost the frozen bars in the fridge overnight as needed.

Nutrition Facts

• Serving size: 1 bar
• Energy: 258 Calories / 1080 Kilojoules
• Total Fat: 16.2 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Total Carbohydrate: 19.5 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3.8 g
• Sugars: 10.2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Sodium: 163 mg
• Potassium: 68 mg