Vegan Homemade Protein Bars with Hidden Veggies {Gluten Free}
These homemade protein bars are packed with tons of veggies, but you would never know they are secretly healthy and vegan friendly! Perfect for an afternoon snack or easy, portable breakfast!
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking oatmeal
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes unsweetened
- 1/2 cup carrot sliced (about 1 large carrot)
- 1 cup cauliflower cut into florets
- 1 cup spinach packed
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 3/4 cup plant protein powder brown rice and hemp, vanilla flavor, blend including quinoa
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup hemp hearts
- 3 tbsp almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 Tbsp, pure
- 2 tbsp coconut oil measured at room temperature (the consistency of softened butter)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and run an 8x8 inch baking pan with coconut oil.
- Spread the oats onto a large baking sheet evenly and bake in the oven until lightly golden brown, about 7 minutes.
- Sprinkle the coconut evenly on top of the oats and place back into the oven until golden brown, just about 1 minute. The coconut cooks VERY quickly, so watch closely. Remove from oven and let cool. Turn the oven temperature down to 300 degrees.
- In a large food processor, process the carrots until they resemble small peas. Add in the cauliflower and process until it is broken down and looks like rice. Finally, add in the spinach and process until broken down into small pieces.
- Transfer the vegetable mixture into a large bowl and add in the coconut sugar, protein powder, salt, hemp hearts and toasted oatmeal and coconut. Stir until well combined
- In a medium, micro-wave safe bowl, place the almond butter, maple syrup and coconut oil. Microwave until liquid and bubbling, about 1-2 minutes.
- Whisk the wet ingredients together until the almond butter is smooth, and then pour into the dry ingredients.
- Stir until the mixture forms a crumbly, wet dough and then use your hands to bring it all together until it is evenly mixed.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Pack it into the pan as hard as you can.
- Bake until the top turns light golden brown and a little bit crispy, 30-35 minutes.
- Let cool to room temperature and then place into the refrigerator to cool completely.
- Slice into bars and DEVOUR.
Notes
- Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 195
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 195kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 80mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 171mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1169IU | 23% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 78mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.