Disclaimer: I earn from qualifying purchases on Amazon when you click on my links. As a Thrive member, I receive a referral reward if you sign up using my code. I only recommend products that I personally use and love.
Dates, dark chocolate, and salt…oh my! These ingredients combine with other pantry staples to make a homemade protein bar puts store-bought versions to shame.
Protein bars can be a delicious and convenient way to reach your protein goals, but the sugar content and cost of buying them individually can really add up!
These Chocolate Salted Caramel Vegan Protein Bars only require 7 ingredients and a blender or food processor. Let the layers freeze and you have quick, inexpensive, and yummy vegan protein bars!
What do dates taste like?
Dates are a sweet fruit in the same family as figs and raisins. They have a very sweet, slightly nutty taste and can be eaten ripe (when the exterior is wrinkly but inside is still plump), dehydrated, ground up, or made into a syrup, powder, or paste. The most common kind of date you’ll see in recipes is the Medjool date, which is also the easiest to find online or in-stores. In this recipe, I use dates as a lower-sugar alternative to caramel.
Where can I find dates?
Dates are often sold at Middle Eastern grocery stores, as well as bulk food stores in the dried food or produce section. I usually get these dates from Thrive Market because they are packaged for keeping fresh, a good price, and already pitted. Use my code for 25% off your first order.
How do I make date paste?
If your dates aren’t already pitted, first cut them length-wise without cutting through both ends. Open the date and push out the pit (seed). Place pitted dates in a food processor or blender (can you tell I’m a Ninja appliance aficionado?) with hot water and process for a few cycles. You want the paste to be smooth and have a caramel-y color and taste.
Details
Print
Ingredients
1 +1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
2/3 cup flour (make your own oat flour by blending oats)
3 scoops vegan protein powder
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
1 cup Medjool dates, tightly packed
1/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Pink Himalayan or sea salt, to taste
Directions
- Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper.
- Mix oats, flour, and protein powder in a large bowl.
- Once combined, add melted coconut oil and sweetener to mixture. Press bottom layer into lined pan. Place in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, prepare date paste by placing pitted dates and hot water in a food processor or blender. Pulse until it is smooth.
- Spread date paste on top of oat layer.
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave at 30-second increments, or on the stove. Spread melted chocolate on top of middle layer.
- Place in the freezer again for 20 minutes, or in the fridge overnight. Cut and serve.
Salted caramel is my favorite flavor of protein bars– whether I’m making them myself or buying Vega’s Chocolate Caramel Protein Bars. What’s your favorite protein bar type? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll work on a new recipe with that flavor!
As always, if you try a recipe, let me know how it goes! You tag me on Instagram @ohmeats or use the hashtag #OHMMY.