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Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

Updated:


A healthy alternative to store-bought granola bars, these chewy nut-free protein bars are perfect for snacking on-the-go! 

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prep time5 minutes

Nut Free Granola Bars

As a mom of two young boys I am here to confirm that the rumor is true: boys will, in fact, eat you out of house and home.

As easy as it would be to rely on store-bought granola bars, making them at home is not only more affordable but it allows me to control the quality of ingredients.

This year, both of my boys are in nut-free classrooms which presented another challenge: tweaking our usual granola bar recipe to be nut-free but also provide a hefty boost of protein.


The end result is these soft and chewy nut-free protein bars scented with warm cinnamon and plump raisins. For even more protein, I pair them with a Stonyfield yogurt pouch packed with calcium and Vitamin D.

Playfields mission for kids:

While there are so many decisions a mom has to make throughout the day, one decision I always feel good about is feeding my kids organic Stonyfield yogurt made without toxic persistent pesticides or GMO’s

If you are also passionate about avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals and pesticides, I urge you to read more about Stonyfield’s newest initiative: StonyFIELDS. I know I was surprised to learn that 21 million kids play on fields, most of which are sprayed with a mix of harmful chemicals. Yikes!

The mission is simple: make every field in America (you know, the fields our kids play on at soccer practice or during recess) organic by stopping the use of harmful pesticides on playing fields. Click here to learn more about how you can change your own community, nominate your community to get a donation, OR start by changing your back yard.

In the meantime, we have kids to feed, am I right? So get in the kitchen and whip up a batch of these soft and chewy nut-free protein bars to pair with your favorite Stonyfield yogurt. You’ll be so glad you did.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do these require refrigeration?

No. But they will keep longer if you do.

Can these be made as low sugar as well?

Leaving out the chocolate chips and raisins will keep the sugar down.

No forks required.

Have you tried my


Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

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nut free chewy granola bars

Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars

Liz Della Croce
4.39 stars average
A healthy alternative to store-bought granola bars, these chewy nut-free protein bars are perfect for snacking on-the-go! 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
CourseDessert, Snack
Serves8 bars

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line an 8×8 baking sheet with parchment paper for easy protein bar removal.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, protein powder, flax meal, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. 
    2 cups oats, 1/3 cup protein powder, 1/4 cup flax seed meal, 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together apple sauce, honey and vanilla. Pour mixture over the oat mixture and stir well. Add raisins and stir again until mixture is evenly incorporated. 
    1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup raisins
  4. Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking pan using a rubber spatula to press the mixture firmly into the pan in an even layer.
  5. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool completely before slicing into bars.

Liz’s Notes

If I want to use sugar instead of honey and applesauce, what would be the amount? 

I would not swap those ingredients out on this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1.5mg

Have you tried my


Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars?

Leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how you liked it in the 📝 comments and share it on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest.

We love hearing from you! This helps us continue to provide free, high-quality recipes.


4.39 from 59 votes (46 ratings without comment)

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60 responses to “Homemade Nut Free Protein Bars”

  1. Andrea Avatar
    Andrea

    This was amazing! Thank you so much!
    My son had a tree nut allergy and he loved them, me too! 😁

  2. Marybeth Avatar
    Marybeth

    Can’t recall if I already left a comment but I just love these. I’ve made them at least 4 times. Mine never hold together very well despite that I really press them tight into the pan. Any thoughts or suggestions on this? Thank you!

  3. Zaza Avatar
    Zaza

    I made these but subbed oat flour for the wheat flour, used GF oats, and subbed pure maple syrup for honey. I didn’t use baking soda – wasn’t sure if that was necessary when using oat flour? Either way, they came out very dry/chalky, didn’t hold together that well, and were not sweet enough. I made another batch and added a bit of date paste which helped with the binding, but they were still dry and chalky, and not sweet enough. Thoughts on how to make the taste and texture better while keeping them gluten free and vegan?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      They definitely shouldn’t be dry, but I’ve never made them with oat flour! If they were dry and chalky, I would recommend adding more apple sauce for moisture, and increasing the maple syrup or honey if you want them sweeter! I’d add a little bit at a time, so they don’t get too wet either.

    2. Alyson Avatar
      Alyson

      Many recipes using oats instead of flour include oat milk (or whatever kind of milk you want). I am going to do the same substitution this morning and will try that.

  4. Marin Avatar
    Marin

    Im getting a slight bitter aftertaste.

  5. Marin Fischer Avatar
    Marin Fischer

    Can i add extra protein powder to this recipe?

  6. Austin P Avatar
    Austin P

    Can I add more protien to the recipe?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Of course! While this is a nut-free recipe, if you aren’t opposed to using nuts, adding nuts will up the protein content.

      1. Austin P Avatar
        Austin P

        Thank you! What about adding more protien powder?

        1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
          Liz DellaCroce

          You definitely could! But I wouldn’t do more than a 1/2 cup, as it’ll alter the texture and taste of the finished product.

  7. Diane Avatar
    Diane

    my daughter can not have honey is there something else I can use

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Agave syrup or corn syrup would work!

  8. Al McCormack Avatar
    Al McCormack

    Hi there! Would oat or spelt flour be ok in this recipe? Thank you ☺️

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It might slightly alter the texture, but should still work!

  9. Mindy Avatar
    Mindy

    How long do they keep without refrigeration? And how long do they keep with refrigeration? Thanks.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      At room temp, they’ll last about a week. In the fridge they’ll keep much longer.

  10. astrid Avatar
    astrid

    Hello, Thank you for posting this recipe. My son has several allergies besides the nuts and the peanuts and needs more protein. This recipe seems a very good alternative but trying to replace the raisons and the Honey as well due to his health challenges. Would you have any other suggestion for these 2 ingredients instead of sugar? What about blue berries?
    Thank you very much

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You can replace the honey with light karo syrup, and the raisins with any sort of dried fruit that he can have! Craisins could be good, or you could try blueberries for sure!

  11. Diana Avatar
    Diana

    Would these freeze well? It would be nice to make a big batch and just pull a few out as needed.
    My husband is allergic to nuts and chocolate, and were both trying to get more protein in our lives. But I don’t want to make making more every couple days cause he can eat like 2 or 3 bars in one sitting!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes they would definitely freeze well!

  12. Peter Avatar
    Peter

    Hi Liz,
    I made this recipe and it tasted delicious, but unfortunately my bars crumbled very easily.
    Can you suggest a way to make them bind better please?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Hmm that didn’t happen with mine. Perhaps try a little olive oil or extra honey?

  13. Sophie Castles Avatar
    Sophie Castles

    Is there anything I can substitute the rolled oats and flour for to make it completely gluten-free? And are there any substitutes that are also really high in protein? Would quinoa work? Thanks

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Maybe try gluten free 1:1 flour?

  14. Peter Dennis Avatar
    Peter Dennis

    I always use quick oats for breakfasts. Is it OK to use those instead of old fashioned oats please?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes for sure!

  15. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    These look great. Can vegans replace the honey with date syrup or maple syrup? Thanks.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m not sure – i’ve never tried but report back!

  16. cade Avatar
    cade

    I made these with chocolate flavored whey protein powder, quinoa flour instead of white flour (in case some of the folks I was giving them to were allergic to gluten), and chocolate and dried cranberries instead of raisins and they were very tasty! Not super sweet, but if you have a strong sweet tooth you could adjust them with more honey or by putting a drizzle of chocolate on the tops of them. (I’ll probably be drizzling them with chocolate because *tasty*!) Thanks so much for the recipe!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

  17. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    What can I use in place of flax? My daughter is allergic to that as well.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You can just skip it or chia seeds!

  18. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    Hello! Can you substitute gluten free flour for regular flour? Thanks!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes you can!

  19. Jean Avatar
    Jean

    can you use white unbleached flour instead of whole wheat flour

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes of course!

  20. TAF Avatar
    TAF

    You say they will keep longer if refrigerated. If travelling (i.e. no refrigeration) how long can I expect them to last?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I would say up to 5 days!

  21. Rena Avatar
    Rena

    I love the option for a nut free bar especially since I am allergic to peanuts and tree nuts but one question, have you found a protein powder that is processed in a nut free facility? That is a real struggle for me. I’d appreciate you sharing if you have.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Yes absolutely!!

  22. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    If you add dark chocolate chips to recipe will they melt?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      That should be fine!

  23. Patt Avatar
    Patt

    If I want to use sugar instead of honey and applesauce, what would be the amount? Does it replace 1:1 or do I have to take into consideration the moisture factor?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You can’t swap it I’m afraid!

  24. Anni Avatar
    Anni

    Going to try this! My husband is allergic to almost every nut and I’ve been looking for a home made bar.
    Question, how well do these keep? Do you recommend refrigerating them?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      They keep great! You don’t have to refrigerate but they will last longer if you do. Enjoy!

  25. Brenda Score Avatar
    Brenda Score

    What a beautiful way to snack. Our girls would love this!

    1. Melanie Avatar
      Melanie

      how can I cut down the sugar in these bars? too much sugar count for me

      1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
        Liz DellaCroce

        Don’t add in raisins or chocolate chips!

  26. Liren | Kitchen Confidante Avatar
    Liren | Kitchen Confidante

    Homemade bars are so much better, and I love that these are nut free — it can be challenging to find ones to pack in school lunches these days.

  27. Toni | Boulder Locavore Avatar
    Toni | Boulder Locavore

    This looks perfect for snacking! I am sure my kids will love this!

  28. Lindsay Cotter Avatar
    Lindsay Cotter

    Perfect for on the go snacking! Such a great healthy option for active kids!

  29. Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness Avatar
    Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness

    I ALWAYS need new protein bar recipes! Totally digging that these are nut free too!

  30. Marjory Avatar
    Marjory

    I’m always on the lookout for easy, high protein, portable snacks. Bonus that it’s nut-free for my daughter with allergies!!!!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh I’m so glad!!

  31. Lauren Grier Avatar
    Lauren Grier

    These look fantastic! Stonyfield always has the best products!!

  32. diane Avatar
    diane

    We have so many friends who are allergic to nuts. These are perfect for them and there’s something for everyone!

  33. Nikki Gladd Avatar
    Nikki Gladd

    This is great! Last year both of my boys were in nut-free classrooms, too. This year we’re not, but our church sunday school classes are always nut-free. Keeping this for the books!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Oh good I’m so glad!! My kids are both in a nut free room!! So hard sometimes. xoxoxox