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Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars

These easy nut free protein bars are a wholesome, on-the-go option. Chickpea protein bars offer a filling combination of protein and fiber and are great allergy free protein bars for those allergic to tree nuts, gluten or dairy. Plus, no protein powder is used!

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Homemade vegan protein bars have never been easier.

I used to be intimidated about making my own nut free protein bars. But, I’ve perfected this recipe and even the most basic baker can make these.

I initially made this no nut protein bars recipe for my neighbor, who is vegan, nut-free and gluten-free.

It’s challenging to have so many dietary restrictions, but as a dietitian, I knew I could throw a chickpea protein bar recipe together without any animal products.

Kind of like a spin off of my fun vegan pumpkin blondies. These are so good, you’ll want to make them over and over again.

Why You’ll Love Nut Free Protein Bars

  • Allergy friendly and great for school lunches – Even if you don’t have a nut or tree nut allergy, these chickpea protein bars are delicious and great for everyone. They are the perfect nut free snack for schools and kids lunches. these protein bars are free from the top 8 allergens, including soy, dairy, nuts, and eggs. They are also vegan and gluten free, if using certified gluten free oats. The bars do have coconut sugar, and while the FDA technically considers coconut a “tree nut,” it’s really a botanical fruit and most people who have tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut. However, you can substitute for white sugar or add more maple syrup instead.
  • Vegan and gluten free – These homemade vegan protein bars are a hit whether you follow a plant-based diet or not. Even if you’re not completely vegan, but need dairy-free protein bars, there are no milk products used. If you need gluten free protein bars, these are made without flour and are a great snack option to meet your dietary needs.
  • Easy to store for later – Since they’re freezer-friendly, I love having this no nut protein bars recipe for easy back to school snacks, postpartum snacks and just for busy weekdays.
  • Protein bars without protein powder – I like to use protein powder strategically and when necessary. Like I’ll add it into a morning smoothie when I know I didn’t eat enough protein or I need to get my 25 grams of protein at breakfast on the go. But, I don’t want protein powder in all of my baked goods. These protein bars without protein powder won’t have a chalky taste that you’ll find with protein powder bars. The protein in these nut free protein bars comes from the chickpeas, oats and sunflower butter.
  • Budget-Friendly – Best of all, you’d likely spend over $2.00 a bar if you buy a store-bought vegan protein bar. On the other hand, these chickpea protein bars come out at less than $0.75 a bar, plus they use easy-to-pronounce pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. I load up our pantry every few months with my Thrive Market favorites.
thrive market
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE GIFT AND SAVINGS

Using canned chickpeas are a key for budget friendy recipes.

I must be on a chickpea kick recently, considering my recent favorite snacks: bbq roasted chickpeas, strawberry chickpea flour muffins and roasted chickpea sandwiches.

Ingredients For Homemade Vegan Protein Bars

To make your own protein bars, here are the simple ingredients you’ll need.

  • chickpeas – To reduce the sodium, make sure to rinse them before adding to the food processor.
  • oats – use certified gluten free if needed
  • sunflower butter -If you don’t like sunflower seed butter, you can use pumpkin butter, watermelon seed butter or soy butter. If you don’t have a nut allergy, any nut butter will work!
  • coconut sugar
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • sea salt – helps to bring out flavor! Promise me you’ll add a high quality sea salt.
  • vanilla extract
  • maple syrup – you can use less than recommended for a less sweet version.
  • optional add in’s – sunflower seeds, chocolate chips (these are vegan chocolate chips)
close up of nut free protein bar with sea salt on white countertop

Truthfully, these tree nut free protein bars are actually one of my favorite snacks for breastfeeding hunger or to recommend as a healthy athlete snack, especially for my athletes with nut allergies.

Since these bars don’t use any type of flour, they are rather light and chewy. If you want a less chewy bar, my vegan hemp protein bars and healthy vegan trail mix bars are a little heartier.

How to Make Chickpea Protein Bars

The best part about making this chickpea protein bars recipe is that all you need is a high speed blender or food processor.

You don’t need to dirty up a bunch of bowls.

Start by adding chickpeas to a food processor. Slowly add in other ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Then, pour the batter in your baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes in the oven.

DISCLAIMER

These bars are nut free, but they are not seed free. Seeds are not one of the top 8 allergens, so most people with a nut allergy can tolerate seeds, however, that’s not the same for everyone. If you’re unsure, check with your doctor or take an allergy test.


Make sure to scroll down for the full recipe!

While it can be difficult to find truly nut free vegan bars (most vegan recipes rely on cashews or tree nuts), or protein bars without protein powder, this is a true winner on both accounts.

These chickpea bars also make great vegan nut free desserts.

Homemade chickpea protein bars stacked on each other

They are a great option for those of us with a sweet tooth who enjoy a healthy, sweet treat after dinner.

We alternate between these and our favorite chocolate coconut cream pudding.

How Long Do Homemade Vegan Protein Bars Last?

Homemade nut free protein bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3-5 days if in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months!

close up of chickpea protein bar with sea salt on white countertop with bite taken out

Using chickpeas helps make for budget friendy recipes! I must be on a chickpea kick recently, considering I’m loving these bbq roasted chickpeas, strawberry banana chickpea muffins and roasted chickpea pitas.

If you’re interested in learning more about sources of vegetarian protein, here are easy vegetarian recipes!

More Vegan Snack Recipes

 
Yield: 9 bars

Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars

Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars

These easy nut free protein bars are a wholesome, on-the-go option. Chickpea protein bars offer a filling combination of protein and fiber and are great allergy free protein bars for those allergic to tree nuts, gluten or dairy. Plus, no protein powder is used!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. 
  2. Rinse and drain chickpeas and place in ninja or food processor. Add in other ingredients and blend until smooth, adding sunflower seeds and chocolate chips in last.
  3. Spoon batter into 8x8 pan and spread evenly, sprinkling with sea salt.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly browned and set. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before eating. Bars will harden slightly upon cooling.
  5. Store cooled bars in refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

You could also use pumpkin or soy butter. I haven't tested it with tahini but that is another nut-free option.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 277Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 786mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 6gSugar: 17gProtein: 8g

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    1. Are you talking about dates as a sweetener? Date paste may possibly work as a texture replacement but not sure dates would work instead of sunflower seed butter.

    1. Hi Julie, that is a great question. The FDA does classify coconut as a tree nut, though it behaves more similarly to a fruit. Many people that have tree nut allergies (myself included) can tolerate coconut but that is very individual. To be safe, you could always substitute brown sugar for the coconut sugar or leave it out completely and increase the maple sugar to 1/3 cup. Hope that helps!

  1. Any replacement for the chickpeas? My daughter has SIBO and cannot tolerate high fiber foods/legumes. 🙁 She is dairy and gluten free, this recipe sounds great.

  2. Chickpeas are my go to for smoothie bowls lately, posting a fav chocolate chip cookie dough one last week and we’ve made chickpea cookie dough a couple times in the last couple weeks so I bet these are delicious! I just made 3 batches of jumbo giant chocolate chip cookies, grain free and healthy over the last 4-5 days and going through withdrawals so I need to try these bars!
    Thank you for linking up with us for Meatless Monday!

  3. These bars look absolutely delish! I love baking with chickpeas – they keep GF bakes moist without overpowering the flavour 🙂

  4. I am all about using chick peas in recipes love love love this and thanks so much for linking up today for meatless Monday

  5. So these sound really interesting to me…I can’t even imagine how they taste, so I think I’m going to have to make them and see!

  6. Baking with Chickpeas = totally a thing these days! I need to try it, although I know my stomach won’t be thrilled – but my taste buds will! 😉

  7. UM YES PLEASE! I love sunflower butter and chickpea blondies, plus you know my feels on chocolate…

  8. Mmm these look so yummy! Blondies are one of my favorite desserts. I would’ve never guessed these have chickpeas from looking at them!

  9. Wow these look amazing–chickpeas are so versatile! I’d probably make this with peanut butter and chopped peanuts since thats what I have on hand. But, wow!

  10. It looks like I need to go get some chickpeas! I’m hoping to make your pumpkin bars today. Bars are so good especially when I’m racing around or not able to sit down to eat a meal that takes time to put together.

  11. Oooh! These look SO good! Who would have thought they’d be so nutrient packed!

  12. Oh Sarah I love these. I, too, have tried a number of blondie recipes – I lovvveeee using chickpeas in baking – but most of them have always felt a little lacking. I think your desire for some crunch is exactly what is needed. Love the idea of adding sunflower seeds.

  13. Wowzers! I’m addicted to sunbutter and chickpeas lately, so this is a match made in heaven!

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