Almond Joy Protein Bars {vegan, glutenfree, no-bake}

Super simple and easy-to-make protein bars with all of the great flavor of an Almond Joy candy bar! They are no-bake, vegan, gluten-free, and only 123 calories each.

I’ll be the first to admit it: this is a pandering post.

I know good and well that others share my affection/weakness for the combination of chocolate, coconut and almonds, so I am wagering that these will catch your attention. But now that I have concocted and eaten one two of these pucks, I am certain that it will be the flavor and texture of these high-protein, low-sugar sweets that will hold your attention.

This is a no-bake recipe comprising canned chickpeas and vanilla vegan protein powder (specifically, I used rice protein), plus a double dose of coconut (coconut oil and coconut flour). Both contribute true coconut flavor in addition to solidifying power: the coconut flour takes the mixture from a wet hummus-like mixture to a firm dough, while the coconut oil helps to further harden the pucks once they are chilled.

A hint of almond extract and some melted bittersweet chocolate on top are all the you need to seal the deal (no cutting into bars required; thank you, muffin tin).

But if you like, you can add a tiny sprinkle of shredded coconut and some chopped almonds. For these five pucks, I literally used three whole almonds, chopped, and 2 teaspoons of coconut (total) for sprinkling on top–a little goes a long way!

The end result? These taste like luxury candy bars, sans the sugar rush and high calories. In their place, a significant dose of plant protein and micro-nutrients for a measly 123 calories.

Taste the joy!