• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wendy Polisi
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Healthy Living
    • Essential Oils
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookies Policy
    • Terms of Service and Conditions
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Lifestyle
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Snack Recipes

    Protein Power Bars - Real Food Protein Bars

    5 from 2 votes
    Posted March 18, 2023 by Wendy Polisi

    • Share2477
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Looking for a delicious and healthy snack that's perfect for busy days or intense workouts? Look no further than these protein power bars made with real food ingredients. These bars are packed with protein and other essential nutrients to keep you fueled and energized throughout the day. Whether you're always on the go, herding cats at work, training for a sport, or all of the above, these bars are a great choice.

    Photo of a protein power bar sitting in front of two stacks of protein power bars with almonds and cranberries beside it.

    If you are looking for a real food protein bar, you will love these protein power bars!

    This recipe is different from traditional protein bars. It doesn't use processed soy or whey protein powders. Instead, it uses a superfood A-team of quinoa, chia, flax, and almonds for a real food protein blend.

    Each of these energy bars has about 10 grams of protein, making it a great way to help meet your protein needs. They are dairy-free, gluten-free and free of artificial sweeteners.

    These bars also contain heart-healthy complex carbohydrates, omega-3s, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

    As a result, you'll feel full longer and have more energy thanks to the superhero cast of ingredients!

    These power crunch bars are perfect for vegetarians looking for a meal replacement bar, or for those trying to support weight loss and muscle recovery.

    Ingredients

    Quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds, shredded coconut, oatmeal, almond, honey, peanut butter, and cranberries in small prep bowls.
    • Quinoa: Use raw white quinoa that has been rinsed in a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. Quinoa is a fabulous addition, because it has all the amino acids we need.
    • Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are a great source of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seed could be used in place of the chia seed if you like.
    • Flax Seeds: Flaxseeds are an excellent source of plant-based protein, dietary fiber, Omega 3 fatty acids, and many other essential vitamins and minerals. I recommend using ground flax seeds as they are more readily digestible.
    • Shredded Coconut: Look for unsweetened shredded coconut to keep the sugar content low or use sweetened.
    • Rolled Oats / Old Fashioned Oatmeal: Use old fashioned oats or rolled oats for the best texture.
    • Almonds: Chopped almonds add a nice crunch to the granola. Use sliced or chopped, depending on preference.
    • Dried Cranberries: Look for unsweetened dried cranberries or use sweetened cranberries. Dried blueberry or cherry are also a great option.
    • Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth and creamy texture. If you don't want to use peanut butter, you could use another nut butter.
    • Honey or Maple Syrup: To sweeten the granola, use either honey or maple syrup, depending on preference. Honey will help the bars to hold together better than maple syrup, but maple syrup makes this recipe vegan.
    • Salt: A little salt helps to bring out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
    • Cinnamon, Cardamom & Vanilla Extract: For a warm and cozy flavor, add in cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla extract.

    Variations

    • Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the peanut butter mixture and mix in some dark chocolate chips for a refreshing twist on classic chocolate protein bars.
    • Chocolate Chip: Mix in mini chocolate chips for a crunchy texture and extra chocolatey flavor. You can also add chopped nuts for added protein and healthy fats.
    • Caramel: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the top of the bars and mix in some chopped dates for a sweet and chewy addition to your protein bars.
    • Dark Chocolate: Use high-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher) melt it and use it as a topping.
    • Pumpkin Pie: Add pumpkin puree to the nut butter along with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to your batter for a delicious fall-inspired flavor. You can also mix in some chopped pecans or walnuts for added crunch.

    Step By Step

    Photo of Quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds, shredded coconut, oatmeal, and almonds on a parchment lined sheet pan.
    First, start by lining a sheet pan and adding the quinoa, chia, flax, coconut, oatmeal, and almonds. Bake at 350 ° F for 5 to 10 minutes.
    Overhead photo of honey and peanut butter in a sauce pan.
    Place the honey and peanut butter in a sauce pan.
    Honey and peanut butter bubbling in a sauce pan.
    Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla extract
    Honey and peanut butter that have had Quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds, shredded coconut, oatmeal, and almonds added to it in a sauce pan.
    Add the toasted ingredients.
    Honey, peanut butter, Quinoa, chia seeds, flax seeds, shredded coconut, oatmeal, and almonds that have just had cranberries added to it and are being stirred with a spatula.
    And then the dried cranberries.
    A parchment lined square pan with protein power bars in it.
    Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and pack it down to ensure it fills into each corner and creates an even, flat surface on top. Allow to cool and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.

    More Snack Recipes to Try

    • Quinoa Bites
    • Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Gluten Free Banana Bread
    • Quinoa Brown Rice Sesame Crackers
    Close up photo of protein power bars on a white background with a teal cloth napkin behind it.
    If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, Instagram, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
    Close-up square photo of protein power bars.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Protein Power Bars - Real Food Protein Bars

     A yummy and healthy source of energy, these protein power bars would be great to make for someone who is constantly on the go, herds cats at work, is training for a sport, or all of the above.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Quinoa
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Servings: 12 bars
    Calories: 407kcal
    Author: Wendy Polisi

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup quinoa rinsed and raw
    • ½ cup chia seeds
    • ¼ cup flax seeds
    • ¼ cup shredded coconut sweetened
    • 1 cup rolled oats / old fashioned oatmeal*
    • ½ cup almonds chopped
    • ½ cup dried cranberries
    • ⅔ cup peanut butter
    • ⅔ cup honey or maple syrup
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon cardamom
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 F / 177 C. Line the interior of a 9 x 9 x 2-inch (23 x 23 x 5 cm) or 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pan with parchment.
    • Combine the quinoa, chia, flax, coconut, oatmeal and almonds on a sheet tray and bake for 5-10 minutes until lightly browned.
    • Meanwhile, in a large pot, mix the peanut butter and honey together and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla extract.
    • Add the toasted ingredients and dried cranberries, and stir until evenly coated.
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and pack it down to ensure it fills into each corner and creates an even, flat surface on top. Allow to cool and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
    • Once set, gently remove the hardened mixture from the pan by lifting by the parchment paper, and cut into bars.

    Notes

    Gifting Idea:
    Create your own wrapper for each bar by covering them in a small sheet of parchment paper secured with a twine bow. Not only is this a beautiful way to present them, it is also practical as one can easily grab one on the go for a nutritious energy boost. While best when consumed fresh, these bars should last for up to 4 weeks if stored in an air-tight container and kept in a cool, dry place.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 470mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 3.2mg

    Thanks to Melissa, formerly of Homemade for Friends, for bringing us this recipe.

    Filed Under:

    Breakfast RecipesGluten Free RecipesQuinoa RecipesSnack RecipesVegan RecipesVegetarian Recipes

    More Snack Recipes

    • Square close up photo of chocolate chip quinoa cookies on burlap.
      Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies - Flourless Vegan Cookies
    • Square photo of a small dish of corn dip surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Corn Dip with Cream Cheese
    • Chia Quinoa Protein Bars
    • Square photo of a platter of stuffed mini peppers garnished with crushed red pepper flakes and parsley.
      Stuffed Mini Peppers - Vegetarian, Gluten Free

    About Wendy Polisi

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Rating




    1. Bimtav

      September 24, 2015 at 4:07 pm

      Hm... no pre-soaking?? isn't this a little heavy on the intestines? how's the chewability factor? Quinoa is *hard*

      Reply
    2. Shannon Graham

      February 12, 2018 at 12:56 am

      5 stars
      I like these for a meal replacer.

      Reply
    3. Robin D Faktor

      August 27, 2019 at 5:07 am

      Can protein powder be added to the recipe as well?

      Reply
      • Wendy Polisi

        August 27, 2019 at 9:41 am

        I haven't tried it but I think it would work. I'd increase the wet ingredients slightly to compensate.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Favorites

    • Close up photo of a spoonful of Spanish Cauliflower Rice resting in a bowl of keto rice.
      25-Minute Spanish Cauliflower Rice
    • Close up photo of a bread machine dinner roll on a cooling rack with other rolls behind it.
      Bread Machine Dinner Rolls
    • Square side photo of gluten free vegetarian lasagna.
      Gluten Free Vegetarian Lasagna
    • Square overhead photo of an aqua bowl with tahini pastas garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.
      Tahini Pasta
    • Square close up photo of a crispy quinoa salad with pomegranate and sweet potato.
      Crispy Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate and Sweet Potato
    • Square close up photo of a thai chicken salad on a white plate.
      Thai Chicken Salad Recipe

    Family, Food and Fun!

    Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 16 & 17 and my late life princess is 9.

    More about me →

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclosure
    • Terms of Service
    • About
    • Web Stories

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.