These Homemade Protein Breakfast Bars are vegan, gluten-free, and delicious! They're filled with healthy plant-based foods that will get you going in the morning and keep you energized until the afternoon.
Warning: Eating these may cause uncontrollable dancing.
For real, when my family and I eat something REALLY good, we break into a dance. First our shoulders begin to shimmy, then our hands fold into fists and they start pumping, and then our torsos and hips get into the action. It doesn’t matter if we’re standing or sitting, it just happens. Alex started food dancing on Sunday when she tried one of the amazing dips that will be in our cookbook, and it happened to me today when I took the first bite of these protein breakfast bars. It’s not a big deal when we’re among family and friends, the problem with our strange, seemingly genetic trait, is if we’re out in public. Oh, the looks we’ve gotten from fellow diners. Whatevs, when food rocks your world, you’ve got to celebrate.
Be prepared for these vegan energy bars to rock your world. They have all of the goodies going on. The quinoa, cashews, and raw hemp seeds give them a delightful crunch. The peanut butter and dates make them slightly chewy, and the coconut and chocolate chips are the sprinkles on top of an already happy little party of yum. Best of all, they’re not overly sweet. The dates and the chocolate chips are the only sweet things in these bars. You won’t need to add sugar, or maple syrup, or whatever sweetener you usually use, unless you like super sweet bars, then feel free to add more dates.
Don’t you just love the idea of a breakfast bar that makes you feel like you’re eating dessert for breakfast? It tastes like it shouldn’t be legal to eat this in the morning, but this is exactly what you should be eating to start your day. These babies are loaded with protein and nutrients that will fuel your body and your brain. Let’s take a peek at what’s in these protein rich energy bars.
Plant-Based Foods That Have Protein
Quinoa
We all know that quinoa is a superfood because it’s rich in antioxidants, nutrients, protein, and healthy fats. Don’t fear the healthy fats! We need them.
These are legal, don’t let the hemp part of these nutrient bombs fool you. If you want to make sure you’re getting your aminos, protein, calcium, and other nutrients, you NEED these in your daily diet. Plus, they’re crunchy, and who doesn’t like that?
Cashews
Do you want strong bones? Of course you do, so eat your cashews. They’re rich in magnesium, which is an important mineral that helps to keep your bones strong. They’re also high in copper, an important antioxidant. And they’re heart healthy too.
Fiber. Protein. Vitamin E. All the good fat. Need I say more?
They have a lot of antioxidants. They’re good for bone health, intestinal disorders, anemia, nervous system health, and many other bodily issues. Did you know they’re good for curing a hangover? I haven’t tried that, but it’s always good to know.
Oats
Fiber, fiber, fiber. It lowers cholesterol, is rich in antioxidants and vitamins and minerals.
So, one or two little homemade vegan protein breakfast bars in the morning will give you a boost of energy, keep you satisfied for hours, will trick you into thinking you’re eating dessert, and are super healthy. WIN. WIN. WIN.
Make these and let me know what you think. If I was a betting kind of gal (I’m not), I’d say that you’re going to love them.
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Homemade Protein Breakfast Bars
Equipment
- 1 stove
- 1 food processor
Ingredients
- ¼ cup dry quinoa
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoon ground flax seed
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup roasted and salted cashews
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 4 large dates pitted
- 3 tablespoon raw shelled hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups vegan chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- Whisk the ground flax seed and water together until if forms a sticky paste. Set aside.
- Rinse the quinoa in a fine mesh colander and place in a small sauce pan with the water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to simmer, and cook for 15 minutes or until the water has evaporated. Make sure the quinoa is dry and fluffy, if it's at all wet, the bars may not set. Set aside covered.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177° C)
- Put the quinoa, flax mixture, peanut butter, cashews, oats, coconut, dates, hemp hearts, vanilla, and 1 cup of the chocolate chips in a food processor and pulse until the mixture looks like a fine granola. Press into a lightly greased 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) pan, spread the remaining chocolate chips over the top and gently press them into the batter, and bake for 25 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Tina Smith says
Any substitutes for the peanut butter? I'm not a fan of it.
Linda Meyer says
Hi Tina! You could use almond, cashew or sunflower seed butter. Cashew has the mildest flavor of the three.
Tina Smith says
Thank you! I'll give one (or all) of them a try.
Linda Meyer says
Our pleasure! Enjoy!
Ginette says
Hi there! Can’t wait to try this recipe - sounds delicious! Just wondering at what step do I add the flax/water paste to the other ingredients? Does in go into the food processor with everything else? Thank you! 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Hi Ginette! Yes, the flax "eggs" go in the processor. Let us know what you think. 🙂
Allison says
Can the left over bars be frozen?
Linda Meyer says
Hi Allison! Yes they can. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Kate says
This is the best guilt-free treat I have ever made!! Thanks so much!!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you so much, Kate! I'm so happy you liked the recipe. 🙂
Batz says
These are delicious! I have made them twice now. However, the recipe isn't clear about how to disperse the divided water listed in the ingredients (1/4 cup (60 ml) plus 1 tbsp (15 ml) water) or when to add the flax/water mixture. I just add the flax and water (between 1/4 cup and 1 Tbsp) into the food processor with everything else, and it has worked fine.
Linda Meyer says
Hi! I'm so happy you enjoy the breakfast bars! 🙂 You don't need to divide the water, the flax needs 5 tbsp, or 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp of water to become a flax eggs. It takes about ten minutes for the flax and water to reach the desired consistency to ensure that they bind the other ingredients together. I'm happy to hear that they worked out just adding to your blender.
Shikha says
Can I skip hemp hearts,what else can I use and how much?
Linda Meyer says
Hi Shikha, Yes, they only add more nutrients and texture. Let me know what you think. 🙂
manju says
I have been struggling with being diligent about eating breakfast these days! I should make a batch of these to help me with it. Delicious!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks you, Manju! They are an easy and healthy breakfast.
Susan says
Hum...Ok. Thanks for the follow up. It must be something on my end. I like your idea of a flax egg. I'll try that too! Maybe it is the type of peanut butter!?!? I used Costco organic. Maybe a little more than 1/2 cup??? I'm willing to try anything. 😜
Linda Meyer says
I made another batch this morning with 2 flax eggs and it definitely made them more solid and dense than the recipe I posted. I'm going to add the flax eggs to the recipe, only because I suspect that if the quinoa is too wet, that may prevent the peanut butter and dates from doing their job. I used the same PB as you, yay Costco, so I don't think that was your issue. There are so many factors that can change the results of a recipe, especially a baked item, I'm sure it's nothing you did or didn't do. Try them again with the edited recipe and let me know how they work out. I'm also going to add a note about making sure that the quinoa isn't wet, which can happen if all of the water doesn't evaporate. Keep me posted! 🙂
Susan says
Hi Linda, Thanks so much for the suggestions. I actually used six dates, instead of four, but next time I will try soaking them in warm water first. Yes, please let me know how your friend's trial works out. I'll keep trying! I'm not giving up on these. The flavor is too good, and they are chock full of wonderful, good-for-you ingredients. 🤗
Linda Meyer says
Hi Susan, her recipe turned out. I wonder if it's a humidity or lack of, issue. The quinoa and oats can certainly dry out the ingredients. I'm going to try making them with a couple of flax eggs and see if they bake up firmer. I like the texture of the bars as is, but if you had issues, that means others may too. Thanks for letting me know, I'll keep you updated. 🙂
Susan says
I made this recipe yesterday, and the bars didn't set. I ended up with granola. The flavor was great, but it was impossible to cut them into squares. We ended up eating them in a small bowl with a spoon! Help! What went wrong. As best I can tell, the only ingredients that would bind the bars are the peanut butter and somewhat the chocolate. I pressed the mixture firmly into the pan, but something kept them from setting. 🙁
Linda Meyer says
Hi Susan, I'm sorry they didn't set for you. The dates and the peanut butter are the binders. They're not hard like granola bars, but they shouldn't fall apart like granola either. Did you add 4 large dates? I'm thinking that if they were smaller dates, you might have wanted to add a few more. Also, if the dates weren't super fresh, they may have been too dry to bind them. How long did you let them cool in the pan before cutting? That could have been another issue. I'm happy you liked the flavor, but I'm disappointed that they didn't set. One of my friends told me that she was going to make them this weekend. I'm going to call her and find out if she had any issues. If so, I'll be back to let you know.
Uma Srinivas says
I need this kind of energy bar. Now a days getting tired very soon. Thanks for the recipe Linda:)
Linda Meyer says
You're welcome! It will definitely energize you. 🙂
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Yup, these would definitely make me dance! I can't wait to try them.
Linda Meyer says
Dance party! Woot woot! Thanks, Amy!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
These look wonderful, perfect way to break up my smoothie ruts on the weekend and for long run snacks. Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! Yes, they're perfect for a post run snack.
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
These look delicious Linda!! I'd love to make these for breakfast one weekend!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you! I hope you try them.
Carol says
They sound great!!
Going to make them this afternoon.
Linda Meyer says
Thanks Carol! Let me know what you think. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Bars and bites are always a great think to have on hand for snack and breakfasts!
Linda Meyer says
Yes they are.