I went to the store on a mission to find options. Pink options. Natural pink options.
Pure pomegranate juice costs more than my apartment. Beets stain my hands. And who honestly wants to wait an hour to roast one? Now raspberries....
LETTUCE ALL BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF. They may have weird fuzzy tendrils and a bamboozling silent "p," but man oh man do they taste dreamypants in any way, shape or form. I nearly fell over when I saw that they were on sale.
It's almost that one holiday that everyone hates or loves, and these are the most perfect of all ways to tell that special someone you adore them. I love dark chocolate like a sister so regardless of my relationship status, I don't mind V-Day. You better believe there's a strong handful of chocolate chippers in these bars!!
I wanted to experiment with an option that had a) a boatload of my beloved Vega Protein + Greens protein powder and b) less added sugar. Vega is sweetened with stevia, so in my humble opinion, these delightful little guys have just the right amount of sweetness with half the added sugar. Ding dong win wong.
I wanted these to be BRIGHT pink. With my refusal to use beets or red #5, I was left with pinkish beauties studded with the juicy red razzes. After mixing in a full half cup of raspberries to the batter, realizing they were too wet, and then adding more oat flour, I proceeded to gracefully smush bits and pieces of raspberries into the top of the bars.
I'm not saying they'd win a beauty contest, but they have the taste and texture of an angel. AND...and...they only require one bowl and get this---no food processor!! Flawless. No flaws.
Let's talk ingredients for a sec! I used Bob's Red Mil, but feel free to grind old-fashioned oats in the food processor or blender if you don't have oat flour on hand. And now for the fun part!
No-Bake Raspberry Protein Bars
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Snack
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These easy, one-bowl, gluten-free raspberry protein bars taste like dessert!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups oat flour (or old-fashioned oats ground into flour)
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- ½ cup vanilla plant-based protein powder (I use Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup creamy almond butter (the drippy kind)
- ¼ cup almond milk (I used pomegranate juice, either will work)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ cup raspberries (plus more for topping)
- 3 tbsp mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Line an 8x8inch square baking dish with parchment paper or plastic wrap.
- Place oat flour, flax, protein powder, and salt in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
- Add almond butter, almond milk, and pure maple syrup. Using your hands, stir mixture until fully combined. Stir in chocolate chips. It will seem dry!
- Add fresh raspberries and use your hands again to break down raspberries into batter until fully combined (the "dough" should start to turn light pink).
- Press mixture evenly into pan until smooth. Press additional raspberries into dough if desired. Freeze bars for at least an hour before slicing into 12 bars. Store in the refrigerator for optimal texture.
Notes
Inspired by Oh She Glow's Quick N' Easy No-Bake Protein Bars
Jess says
Smoothie, every morning!
Dominique says
I hide it in pancakes!!! My dad used to do it to me growing up. lol
Jessica Miller says
I add them to my smoothies:)
Pauline says
I love smoothies in the morning with protein powder, almond milk, some greens, almond butter, fiber, and a frozen banana. it's delicious and gives me enough protein to fuel my workout and my day! I'd love to try Vega's healthy protein!
Bethany says
I love protein powder in smoothies!
Diana says
My favorite way to use protein powder is in The Fitnessista's oatmeal breakfast cookies or in overnight oats!
Ashley M says
I love it with smoothies!!
mycraftingworld says
I use it to add protein to my hot oatmeal in the mornings.
liz l says
We use it in waffles!
jeremy mclaughlin says
Always add protein to my smoothies.
jeanne says
Love baking muffins with protein powder!
wen budro says
I am a novice at this so I currently only use it in smoothies. I would like to expand my usage and use protein powder in things like this bar recipe.
allie says
I love adding it to smooehites
Claire says
in shakes
William Thomas says
My favorite way to use protein powder is stirred into gravy. I also like it baked in meat loaf.
chickie brewer says
I would like to add it to my nutritional desserts!
Shawna says
I use it in smoothies!
Linda Bradshaw says
I currently just add milk to mine because I don't know what else to do. I am new to the whole thing because my doctor said I need to do protein shakes since I do not like eating food.
Barrie says
I love using protein powder in healthy breakfast muffins for my teen. It tastes good, keeps her filled till lunch, and she's never the wiser!
Steph says
Mixed in smoothies
Rebecca Y says
My favorite way to use protein is in energy bites! They are perfect for when you're on the go & are easy to make ahead of time. They also don't make as much of a mess in the car as protein shakes do 😉
judith says
overnight oats!
Alexis says
Hi Judith! You're the winner! Email me your shipping information to hummusapien@hotmail.com and we'll get you the protein ASAP 🙂 Thanks!
Fiona N says
I love to use protein powder in smoothies, cereal and oatmeal
Thank You for the chance
Zené says
I like to use protein powder in pancakes, cookies, and banana bread.
Colleen Busch says
I love to add it into a bowl of oatmeal in the morning.
Luis A says
I like adding protein powder to my morning shakes.
Jennifer M says
I like to add protein powder to my smoothies.
latanya says
I use them in my protein shake. I never thought to use it any other way. Thanks for the idea to try it differently.
karen says
I have never tried baking with the powder only using it as a shake.
Nicole says
We love simply adding protein to smoothies we make for breakfast each morning
jodi says
I like to make protein powder pancakes and also no bake protein cookies with peanut butter
Steph D. says
I love to add protein powder to my oatmeal in the morning or I make protein pancakes! 🙂 thanks for the recipe!
Cheryl says
My favorite way to use protein powder is a shake.
Pam C. says
I guess I'm pretty old school because my favorite way to use protein powder is still in a smoothie.
Taryn T. says
To be honest, I have not used protein powder. I used to think it was just for shakes, but recently had a "peanut butter cup" made with protein powder. It really made me think that I could use the powder to kick start my healthy eating in a variety of ways!
Darlene Owen says
I use protein powder in my smoothies
Mary Beth Elderton says
These protein bars look delicious! I like to add protein powder to recipes like this. I also love adding a bit to smoothies.
deanna says
I like to put protein powder in my fruit smoothies. Is that boring? But it is my favorite! Then sometimes I freeze the smoothies and make popsicles.
Dee says
I love making cookies with protien powder! Let's me indulge with less guilt!
Shokufeh says
Love to add it to my smoothies!
Jane Baird says
My favorite way to use protein powder is in my daily SMOOTHIES!! I use any and all fruits & veggies within reach, throw in some protein powder and have at it! The powder I've used for years is becoming more and more difficult to come by, so I'd love to try yours to see if it's comparable!! Here's hoping!
monika says
My favourite way to use protein powder is in pancakes 🙂
Thanks for doing a giveaway!
Cathy Henry says
I have never used protein powder but would love to start with this. ?
courtney says
OMG! i started using Vega since you recommended it and am obsessed but it's $$ on a student budget. I use it in my post-workout smoothies every morning. Would love to win this!!!