Apple Protein Bars (V, GF, No Bake)

Make a batch of vegan, gluten-free apple protein bars! They require no baking, boast 10.4 grams of protein per bar, and are a perfect way to refuel and treat yourself at the same time.

There are lots of apple pies in the world, but none of them are high-protein fitness treats, per se. 

But hope springs eternal in my world (especially in the kitchen). So here’s my solution: no-bake, high-protein, apple pie inspired protein bars!

You can even pile them sky-high!

DIY Apple Protein Bars

One of the inspirations for these bars, beyond my love of apples and cinnamon, is the need for some protein bar flavor variation. It is a major challenge to find a packaged protein bar, that is not (1) peanut butter, (2) chocolate, (3) peanut butter + chocolate, or (4) chocolate + peanut butter (insert AARGH here).

The solution is to make homemade protein bars!

These apple pie protein bars are made with a combination of applesauce (for the apple flavor), plant-based vanilla protein powder, ground oats or oat flour, coconut flour, and almond butter. Vanilla, sweet spices and a splash of lemon juice clinch the apple pie flavor in this high-protein snack.

Extra Easy Preparation Tip: Make the Bars in a Muffin Tin

No worries about slicing these bars after making your batch. Making them in a muffin tin–pressing portions of dough into the individual muffin cups– eliminates the fuss of cutting into equally sized rectangles.

If you do not have a muffin tin, you can divide the dough as directly and shape each piece into a bar shape.

Recipe Benefits

• Vegan (no eggs, no dairy)
• Gluten-free
• High protein (10.4 grams per bar)
• High fiber (4.3 grams dietary fiber per bar)
• Easy to make
• No bake

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post. Toggle between US Customary (volume) and Metric (weights) for preferred measurement option.

• Rolled oats (certified GF, as needed)
• Vanilla vegan protein powder (see notes for using whey protein powder)
• Coconut flour (see notes for options)
• Pumpkin pie spice, or ground cinnamon
• Salt
• Unsweetened applesauce
• Almond butter (see notes for options)
• Maple syrup (see notes for options)
• Lemon juice

Step by Step Instructions

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

• Line 5 cups of a standard size muffin tin (I like to use silicone muffin cup liners. Parchment paper liners or foil liners will also work).
• In a food processor, process the oats into a fine powder. Add the other dry ingredients (protein powder, coconut flour, spice and salt). Pulse to combine. 
• Add the apple sauce, almond butter, maple syrup, and lemon juice; pulse until completely blended, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl.
• Divide dough into 5 equal portions; roll each into a ball. Press 1 ball into each prepared cup, tamping down with a measuring cup to flatten. 
• Refrigerate the apple pie bars for at least 1 hour to set. If desired, sprinkle tops with a bits of oats and/or raw sugar.

Taste & Texture of Apple Protein Bars

The bars have a firm, slightly chewy texture and mild sweetness. They have the natural flavor of real apples and spices.

Storage

Tightly wrap the apple pie protein bars and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator / fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 6 months. The bars will keep (e.g., in a gym bag or lunch box) at cool room temperature during the day.

FAQ

• What can I use in place of the maple syrup? Use an equal amount of another sweetener, such as agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or coconut sugar (plus 2 teaspoons water) can be used in place of the maple syrup.
• What can I use in place of the coconut flour? You can replace the coconut flour with an extra 2/3 cup of oats. Process the extra oats along with the 1/2 cup oats in step two (so that all of the oats are a fine powder).
• Can I use oat flour in place of the grinding the rolled oats? Yes! You will need an equal weight (50 grams) of oat flour as rolled oats, which is 6 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon oat flour. You can skip using a food processor and combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl until blended.
• Can I make the apple protein bars without a food processor? Yes. You will need to use oats that are already ground (see note above about using oat flour). Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Alternatively, grind the oats in a blender. Mix the ground oats and remaining ingredients in a bowl.
• I am not vegan. Can I use whey protein powder? Yes, you can use vanilla whey protein or whey protein isolate powder. You will likely need to add a little bit more ground oats to the mix, as needed, to make a firm dough.
• Can I use other nut butters in place of the almond butter? Yes! Use an equal amount of peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini, pumpkin seed butter, or coconut butter (not coconut oil).
• Can I use other spices besides pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon? Yes! You can use cardamom, ginger, apple pie spice blend, allspice, a small amount of nutmeg, or a blend of several spices.

Happy no-baking! Enjoy this healthy snack.

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