These protein packed bars take minutes to prepare and are super convenient and healthy. Â With 10 grams of protein per bar, these are perfect before or after a workout.
Who can relate…you have a few weeks of eating great and working out and then all of a sudden, you're super busy, stressed out and you have no healthy foods prepared?  That has been me recently.  And I hate the way I feel.
Most of the time, I really make an effort to eat well, drink a lot of water, sleep well and exercise at least 4-5 times a week. Â And then spring sports for the kids started.
And work has been super busy. Â Something has to give, right? Â Lately, that's been my meal preparation. Â And that is SO important to maintaining a balance, at least for me.
I need that structure and planning in order to keep me on track. Â And just like that, I stopped prepping.
I started feeling tired, grumpy and stressed. Â I wasn't working out enough either never helps. Â Until yesterday. Â I started prepping meals and snacks again, slept 8 hours last night and made time for a run. Â And because of all that, I've created these protein bars for you!
These are so ridiculously easy that I can't use being too busy as an excuse not to make these. Â Literally, mix the ingredients in a bowl, put them in a baking pan and set in the freezer for 30 minutes. Â BAM!
Then I drizzle a bit more white chocolate on top...
Then slice them into bars and devour them. Â Ahem, I mean, eat one. Â Ok, maybe two.
I keep these vegan bars in the refrigerator for a quick snack (or sometimes breakfast!) and the kids love them too!
Full disclosure here... I would love to say that I make homemade bars and snacks all the time for my kids, but that is simply not true. I don't always have the time to make them (even ones as easy these!) and that's ok.
Moms are always feeling guilty about not doing everything for our kids, am I right?
We need to let that go. We are all doing the best we can. And the truth is, if you are a mom that does feel guilty, that means you care an awful lot.
At least that's how I see it.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup oats use gluten-free oats if needed
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- â…“ cup + 1 tablespoon 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ cup vegan protein powder or protein powder of choice
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips buy the vegan variety if necessary
- 2 tablespoons white chocolate chips for drizzle
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients except chocolate chips in a medium bowl thoroughly.
- Add ¼ cup of chocolate chips until combined.
- Line a 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Spread mixture into pan and smooth out evenly.
- Melt remaining two tablespoons chocolate chips in microwave or sauce pan and drizzle over bars with a spoon.
- Place into freezer for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Remove from freezer.
- Cut into 12 bars. Store in airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts*
Serving Size 1 bar
Amount Per Serving:
Calories 170
Total Fat 8.7g
Saturated Fat 2.2g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 1mg
Sodium 19mg
Potassium 66mg
Total Carbohydrates 17.6g
Dietary Fiber 2.5g
Sugars 8.2g
Protein 9.9g
Nutrition information not 100% guaranteed, I used www.caloriecount.comÂ
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the bars~
Bea
I know what you mean - not working out is awful for me and makes me even more stressed out plus super grumpy. Love how easy these bars are.
claire @the realistic nutritionist
I want this HARD.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I think that I need to make some of these to stick in the fridge at work.
Susan
These bars look great and perfect to keep around! Now that I work from home and have different eating habits, I totally get the need to snack around 5pm, I need these!
Nutmeg Nanny
My whole life has been an up and down of healthy eating. making protein bars like this are a nice way to have a quick on the go healthy snack.
Heather | girlichef
I totally go thorugh phases like that, too. And you know, it's always so easy to fall into the "bad" ways. Sounds like I need to keep this recipe on hand for times when I need to pull myself out of those habits....they sound super delicious!
Cookin+Canuck
I know that feeling of feeling grumpy and stressed when meal prep (the healthy kind!) isn't in a regular groove. These protein bars look like a great way to work some healthy ingredients into snacks when dinners are not ideal.
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
Falling of the healthy meal planning bandwagon is the worst feeling! These protein bars look like a good way to fuel up and get back on track.
Angie
My husband would love these protein bars! They would make a perfect snack during a busy workday.
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com
OMG! These look incredible and I can't believe they are vegan. I actually haven't ever bought any vegan white chocolate chips before....Now I feel like an idiot. Ordering some right now so I can try this out 🙂 Delicious!
lauren.kelly
No Vanessa, don't feel like that! I have to buy them on amazon, I've never seen them anywhere else 🙂
Martha @ A Family Feast
Having such a delicious treat waiting for me afterwards would TOTALLY make me look want to workout more often!
Ginny McMeans
Yu turned out some GREAT bars here. I bet the kids love them and I know I will.
lauren.kelly
Thank you Ginny!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I hate it when I fall off the healthy eating wagon! Because it's either totally on or a disaster. Like eating half a pan of brownies in 2 hours disaster. These bars look like a great, quick and easy healthy snack! I bet I'd love them. 🙂
lauren.kelly
YES! You totally get it Erin! Thank you 🙂
Rhadonda
These look awesome. Any suggestions for substitutions for hemp seeds? I don't have any of those. Flax seeds maybe? Thanks!
lauren.kelly
Hi Rhadonda! Yes, you can easily substitute with flax seeds or leave them out completely. I hope you like them, come back and let me know 🙂
eat good 4 life
These look terrific. I wish I could have a couple of these right now. Awesome picts!
lauren.kelly
Thanks Miryam! 🙂