High Protein Flax Bars (No Protein Powder)

No-bake high protein flax bars are the anytime snack or sweet treat you need! They have 9 grams of protein each and no protein powder added.

Getting good protein when traveling, or otherwise on the go, is a constant challenge. Peanut butter sandwiches or a tub of hummus are my defaults. I will buy a can of chickpeas or black beans at the market, too, for easy snacking (hooray for pull-tab cans, I can leave my can opener at home).

Protein bars are a great convenience, too. I have a slew of homemade favorites here on Power Hungry, but I can’t / won’t stop conjuring new recipes to pack, and to share.

So here comes a new favorite: High Protein Flax Bars, made without any added protein powder. They are gluten-free, vegan, easy to make, and delicious!

Flaxseed Meal: A High Protein Ingredient

The star ingredient of the bars is a plant-based cooking favorite: flaxseed meal. Flax seeds are nutrient packed seeds, with high levels of both fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids. To reap the most health benefits from the seeds, they must be finely ground (into flaxseed meal).

In addition to being a wonder ingredient in all kinds of vegan recipes (for example, as an egg replacement in cakes, cookies, breads, and more), flaxseed meal is also an very good source of protein: 1/4 cup of flaxseed meal has about 7 grams of protein! When combined with other protein rich ingredients, such as seeds, nuts, and oats, flaxseed meal is a great whole food option for protein bars, without having to buy protein powders.

A flaxseed meal bonus: flax has great sticking powder, so using it ensures that these no-bake bars hold together for the duration of your travels, near or far.

Recipe Benefits of High Protein Flax Bars

• No protein powder
• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Gluten-free
• Oil-free
• No-bake
• High protein (9 grams protein per bar)
• High fiber (7 grams fiber per bar)
• Quick and easy to make

Ingredients for the Bars

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.

Making these healthy treats requires no more than 10 minutes and a few basic ingredients:

• rolled oats (certified gluten-free, as needed)
• flaxseed meal (golden flaxseed meal, or brown flaxseed meal)
• roasted sunflower seed kernels (see notes for options)
• Chopped dried fruit (e.g., dried cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, dried blueberries, dried figs, dried cherries)
• sunflower seed butter (or any nut butter or seed butter you prefer)
• maple syrup (or agave nectar, molasses, or brown rice syrup)
• Optional: raw (turbinado) sugar, for sprinkling on top

You will also need a small amount of water for the high protein flax bars to hold together. I used filtered tap water. If using unsalted roasted sunflower seeds, and/or unsalted nut butter or seed butter, I suggest adding a generous pinch of salt to the recipe, too.

Step by Step Instructions

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

Step One: Prepare Pan

Line an 8 inch (20 cm) square pan with parchment paper (or foil or plastic wrap).

Step Two: Grind the Dry Ingredients

In a food processor, process the oats, sunflower seed kernels and dried fruit until finely chopped. Add the flaxseed meal to the food processor bowl.

Step Three: Heat the Wet Ingredients

In a small saucepan set over medium heat, whisk the sunflower seed butter, maple syrup and water until the mixture comes to a low boil.

Step Four: Combine the Wet & Dry Ingredients

Immediately pour the warm liquid ingredients over the ingredients in the food processor. Pulse, using on/off pulses, until completely blended (stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl, as needed).

Step Five: Press into Pan

Scrape the protein bar mixture into the prepared pan. Firmly tamp down the dough into a smooth, even layer. I like to use a piece of parchment paper and a flat-bottomed measuring cup to smooth out the bars.

Step Six: Chill & Cut the Bars

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until the bars are chilled, firm and set. Use the parchment paper liner to remove the bars to a cutting board. Cut into 12 equal bars. (See notes for storage).

Taste & Texture of the High Protein Flax Bars

The texture of the bars is similar to a Clif Bar, but a little bit softer (due to the high amount of flaxseed meal). The bars are not too sweet, which I love (bonuses: no sugar rush, and no fake sugars) and have a deep toasty flavor from the roasted sunflower seeds. The bars are very filling, too–I can easily make one of these bars into a mini meal on the go.

Storage

I recommend individually wrapping the bars in plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper. Store the wrapped bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for up to 6 months. The bars will keep at cool room temperature for a day (e.g., for packing in a lunch bag).

Flavor Variations

Consider adding a teaspoon or two of vanilla extract or ground cinnamon to the bars. You can also swap some of the dried fruit for dark chocolate chips.

FAQ

• I do not have an 8-inch (20 cm) baking pan. What else can I use? You can a 9-inch (22.5 cm) pan, an 11×7 inch (27.5×17.5 cm) pan, or divide the dough into two 9×5-inch loaf pans. Alternatively, press the dough, freeform, into a flat square on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (flatten and press the sides into form a square-ish shape 😊).
• What can I use in place of sunflower seed butter? You can use any nut butter or seed butter you like, such as peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or pumpkin seed butter (pepita butter).
• What can I use in place of roasted sunflower seeds? Use an equal weight of any roasted or toasted nuts or seed you prefer, such as pumpkin seeds, pecans, peanuts, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts or pistachios.
• Can I use raw sunflower seed kernels? Yes, you can. Raw sunflower seeds do not have as much flavor as roasted sunflower seeds, so you may want to consider toasting the raw seeds before using in the recipe.
• What can I use in place of maple syrup? You can use an equal amount of agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or cooking molasses (not blackstrap molasses, it is too bitter endnote very sweet). If you do not follow a vegan diet, 1/2 cup honey can also be used as an alternative.

Related Recipes

• 4 Ingredient Cassava Flour Banana Muffins (V, GF, Oil-Free)
• No Bake Hemp Protein Bites (V, GF)
• Chocolate Chip Flax Cookies (Flourless, V, GF)
• 100% Flax Chocolate Cookies (Vegan, Oil-free)
• 3 Ingredient Banana Flax Bars (Vegan, oil-free, grain-free}