We know that sometimes it can be difficult to get your recommended daily protein intake from whole foods alone, and protein bars can be a great way to get a bit of energy when you’re on the go. However, many protein bars sold in stores contain a lot of sugar and strange additives. Homemade protein bars are much healthier than store-bought alternatives, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite protein bar recipes.

The recipes below are all made from whole foods, sweetened with only natural sugars, and can all be made dairy free and vegan. There’s also no baking required!

Blueberry Bliss Bars

Makes 16

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups rolled oats
• ¾ cup almonds
• ½ cup dried blueberries
• ½ cup pistachios
• 1/3 cup flaxseed
• 1/3 cup walnuts
• 1/3 cup pepitas
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup almond butter

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients well.
2. Press into 8×8 pan.
3. Refrigerate overnight.

Recipe via: Inspired Edibles

Almond Fudge Bars

Makes 12

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats, ground into a flour
• ½ cup quick oats
• 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
• ½  cup crispy rice cereal
• ½ cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
• 1/3 cup honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Optional: 2-3 Tbsp. chocolate chips for melting

Directions:

1. Combine oat flour, oats, protein powder, rice cereal.
2. Melt almond butter and honey together. Stir in vanilla.
3. Combine the two mixtures.
4. Press into 8×8 pan.
5. Optional: drizzle melted chocolate chips on top of bars.
6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Recipe via: Running With Spoons

Mint Chocolate Bars

Makes 12

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of dates
• 1 cup of nuts (almonds, cashews, etc)
• ¾ cup protein powder
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (or ground mint leaf)
• 2 tablespoons milk of choice
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in food processor until smooth.
2. Press into 8×8 pan.
3. Freeze for 15 min.

Recipe via: The Healthy Maven

Grab ‘n’ Go Bites

Makes 16 to 18

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup dried coconut flakes
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups unsalted cashews
• ¼ cup dried cranberries (apple juice sweetened if available)
• 10 Medjool dates (pitted and soaked in water for 20 minutes)

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine coconut flakes and cinnamon and set aside.
2.  Place RAW Fit and cashews in food processor using the “S” adeade.
3. Process until well mixed and resembles a flour-like consistency.
4. Remove dates from water.
5. Add dates and cranberries to mixture in food processor and pulse until everything begins to stick (about 20 pulses).
6. Roll cookie balls and coat in coconut flake/cinnamon mixture.
7. Refrigerate to harden the texture of the cookies.

Recipe via: Garden of Life

Apple Pie Bars

Makes 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried apples
• ¼ cup pitted dates
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 cup pecans (or walnuts)
• ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

Directions:

1. Soak dried fruit in warm water for 5 minutes. Drain water.
2. Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Press into 8×8 pan.
4. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Recipe by Kelsey Theisen