10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (2024)

Here are some awesome protein bar recipes that you can make at home without using any nuts or nut-butters. While many protein bars use nuts for crunch and nutrition, and nut-butters to hold the dry ingredients together, there are just as many recipes you can enjoy without nuts or nut butters. Here's more than 10 recipes you can make easily at home without any expert cooking skills involved 🙂

Keep in mind that you'll need to use a nut-free protein powder if you're allergic, since I use Orgain Protein Powder which DOES contain traces of nuts. For those who are nut-sensitive, here's a nut-free plant based protein powder you can use instead. There are also recipes that use almond milk, but this can be easily replaced with dairy or nut-free milks. Feel free to comment and let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding the ingredient Substitutions!

1. Nut-Free Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Bars

Layered with a strawberry protein base, cream cheese and chocolate, these strawberry cheesecake protein bars are creamy, decadent and oh-so-lovely with all the fresh strawberry pieces bursting in every bite. Instead of using nut butter in most protein bar recipes, this recipe uses cream cheese to hold the dough together, resulting in a fudgy, cheesecake-like texture and the flavor of your favorite slice of strawberry cheesecake

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Bars

4.60 from 5 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (2)

2. Applesauce Birthday Cake Protein Bars

Here’s an easy, no-bake recipe that satisfies your birthday cake craving in the healthiest way possible. The secret to making these birthday cake protein bars is the applesauce and a pinch of baking soda. The slight salty bitterness from baking soda gives these deliciously cakey bars an authentic taste of the cake with the satisfying protein bar texture. Just as we used cream cheese to bind the dry ingredients in the previous strawberry cheesecake protein bar post, this recipe uses applesauce to moisten and hold together the protein powder.

Homemade Birthday Cake Protein Bars Made with Applesauce

4.10 from 11 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (3)

3. Nut-Free Chocolate Avocado Protein Bars

Mashed avocados are also a wonderful binder. No need to use any nut butter on this recipe when the avocados provide that creamy, velvety mouthfeel all on their own. Quick and nutritious, these Easy Chocolate Avocado Protein Bars are a great midday snack or healthy diet-friendly dessert for anyone who’s looking to check off the low carb, low calories, high protein, high fiber from your “to eat” list.

Chocolate Avocado Protein Bars (Healthy, Vegan & Low Carb!)

4.25 from 4 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (4)

4. Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Protein Bars

Here's another cheesecake-inspired protein bar. I love this one a lot because of the two distinct layers of protein bar and the low carb cream cheese layer. It’s not everyday that you get to enjoy both a cheesecake and a pumpkin pie—in under 30 minutes! Now you can with these delicious Healthy Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Protein Bars. They’re creamy, sweet and perfectly spiced.

Healthy Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Protein Bars (Low Carb, Low Sugar)

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (5)

5. Applesauce Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars

Here’s a nostalgic tasting cinnamon roll protein bars recipe that make the perfect dessert & snack when you start craving the real thing. This recipe uses both cream cheese and applesauce - a delightful combination that cuts down on sugar and calories.

Healthy Applesauce Cinnamon Roll Protein Bars

4.34 from 6 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (6)

6. Red Velvet Cake Protein Bars

You can enjoy a delicious and creamy red velvet cake in under 20 minutes with these easy Red Velvet Cake Protein Bars. The addition of cream cheese in the protein powder dough makes these protein bars taste like a dense bite of red velvet cake.

Gluten Free Red Velvet Cake Protein Bars (The Best Guilt-Free Dessert)

4.20 from 5 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (7)

7. White Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars

Coconut flour is great for those allergic to gluten and wanting a low-carb option. While it’s called coco-nut it’s actually nut-free because this flour is made from coconut flesh (which is a fruit, not a nut) that’s been dried and then grind into small flour particles.

These gorgeous White Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars are made with coconut yogurt, the secret behind the tangy sweet flavor and the boost of probiotics make it an excellent breakfast treat. They are quick and easy to make, to go, and chocolate covered for an extra special touch!

White Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars

4.50 from 6 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (8)

8. Lotus Biscoff Protein Bars

Here’s a decadent dessert bar that is loaded with cookie butter flavor and is rich, smooth, soft, creamy and topped with a layer of lotus biscoff cookie. Made with plant-based protein powder, coconut flour, cream cheese, almond milk (can be replaced with nut-free milk), and sweetened with monk fruit sweetener which is sugar-free and low carb – these homemade Biscoff Cookie Butter Protein Bars are on a whole new level of deliciousness!

According to their main website, both Lotus Biscoff Cookies and Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter do not contain any nuts!

Homemade Biscoff Cookie Butter Protein Bars (Easy, No-Bake Recipe)

4.72 from 7 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (9)

9. Oreo Cookies and Cream Protein Bars

It turns out, Oreo Cookies are also nut-free, according to this Snack Safely website. These luscious Homemade Oreo Cookies and Cream Protein Bars are probably one of the best desserts you’ll ever try — it’s all the creamy sweetness of an Oreo cheesecake, minus the work! Made with protein powder, coconut flour, cream cheese, almond milk (can be replaced with nut-free milk), and sweetened with monk fruit sweetener which is low carb and sugar-free – these cookies and cream protein bars are rich, creamy and taste heavenly with that coating of white chocolate. It’s a quick Oreo fix that works, and trust me, you’ll also be craving a glass of cold milk with these.

Homemade Oreo Cookies and Cream Protein Bars (Easy, No-Bake Recipe)

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (10)

10. Nut-Free Lemon Protein Bars

These Homemade Lemon Protein Bars made with Collagen Peptides make the perfect healthy dessert or post-workout snack. Soft and chewy on the inside, with just the right balance of sweet and tangy — these bars are thick and chewy thanks to the collagen peptides which have a lot of great benefits for your hair, skin and joints. Give them a try the next time you’re craving a lemony treat! Collagen Peptides are naturally nut-free!

Healthy Homemade Lemon Protein Bars made with Collagen Peptides

4.28 from 11 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (11)

11. Raspberry Cheesecake Protein Bars

Low Carb and Low Sugar, the beautiful layers of cream cheese and raspberry protein base in these raspberry cheesecake protein bars are coated with dark chocolate – creamy, soft and decadent. Your sweet tooth will be asking for more!

Healthy Raspberry Cheesecake Protein Bars (Low Carb, Low Sugar Recipe)

4.38 from 8 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (12)

12. Strawberry Protein Bars

Just 4 ingredients are all you need to make your own strawberry protein bar at home. These easy vegan strawberry protein bars are the perfect dessert & snack, and you’ll be amazed by how delicious and easy they are to make. Skip the candy bars, and go for these delightful strawberry protein bars!

Easy Fresh Strawberry Protein Bars

4.13 from 8 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (13)

13. Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bars

If you need something luxurious and chocolatey but trying to keep it low on sugar and calories, this dark chocolate raspberry protein bars recipe is for you. The chocolate protein powder and fresh raspberry combination is an indulgent pairing that works together to form a soft, almost cakey brownie-like texture! It’s also easy to make–just mix together the ingredients and cut into bars. The melted chocolate coating is optional, but is a gorgeous touch on these chocolate bars.

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bars

4 from 3 votes

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (14)

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (15)

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10+ Nut-Free Protein Bar Recipes to Try Today - All Purpose Veggies (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for peanut butter in protein bars? ›

Coconut Oil: This helps bind the protein bars together without adding peanut butter or another nut butter. If needed, you can substitute with unsalted butter. Sweetener: You can use maple syrup or honey. If you are vegan, use maple syrup since honey is not plant-based.

What protein bars does Carrie Underwood eat? ›

That's why she says she won't go anywhere without her favorite protein bars, which happen to be Vega —even her husband, Mike Fisher, is a fan. "They have chocolate and caramel and chocolate peanut butter. They're so good." She also likes vegan-friendly No Cow ("It has a lot of fiber," she notes) and Luna bars.

Why can't i just eat protein bars? ›

While protein bars can be enjoyed regularly, consuming them as meal replacements or as your primary protein source isn't recommended. Pay close attention to nutrition labels, as many protein bars contain added sugars, saturated fats and other low-nutrient ingredients.

How do you get homemade protein bars to stick together? ›

A few other common ingredients are whole nuts and seeds, grains like oats and crispy cereal (which offer fiber and a granola bar–like texture), cocoa powder or chocolate chips, and liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, which help your bars stick together and taste delicious.

What are the side effects of too many protein bars? ›

Digestive Issues: Certain protein bars may contain high amounts of fibre or sugar alcohols (like sorbitol or maltitol) to boost their nutritional profile. These ingredients can cause digestive issues such as bloating, gas, or diarrhoea, particularly in individuals with sensitive stomachs.

What ingredient in protein bars cause gas? ›

The culprits often include the use of ultra-processed ingredients like erythritol, as well as protein powders like whey or plant-based alternatives. Additionally, artificial sweeteners and low fibre content can further contribute to digestive discomfort.

Are protein bars bad as a meal replacement? ›

Too much of a good thing applies.

Watch that you don't let yourself count on protein bars too regularly for a meal replacement. This can lead to the risk of poor eating habits and not getting enough whole foods which can result in nutrient deficiencies or imbalances.

What diet did Carrie Underwood use? ›

Carrie's a longtime vegetarian and now follows a mostly vegan diet (or “wannabe vegan” in her words). She'll occasionally eat eggs—but only from the eight chickens she raises in her own backyard, she said at her Women's Health cover shoot. "I just love knowing where things come from," she says.

What bars does Jennifer Aniston eat? ›

Aniston is as cool as ever discussing her new collab, the Vital Proteins & Jennifer Aniston Protein and Collagen Bars. “It was so fun,” she says about creating the bars, which feature 14 grams of protein and come in three flavors: Peanut Butter Fudge, Cold Brew Coffee, and Dark Chocolate Coconut.

What does Carrie Underwood eat everyday? ›

At lunch, she will usually have a sandwich with Tofurky, tomato, avocado, red onion, spinach and mustard. For snacking, she will reach for a green smoothie or protein bar, and when it's time for dinner, she'll make roasted veggies and a piece of vegan chicken, or a tofu stir-fry.

Is it OK to eat a protein bar every day? ›

One or two protein bars a day are well within the recommended intake. But remember: the more protein-rich fruit and nut bars you eat, the more calories you're getting – something to bear in mind if you want to stick to a balanced diet.

Are protein bars bad for gut health? ›

Unfortunately, there are a handful of ingredients in protein bars that your gut might not love. “The isolated fibers and sugar alcohols added to many bars can be problematic because they can be digested or fermented by bacteria in the gut and cause bloating and gas,” says Kissane.

Will I gain weight if I eat a protein bar everyday? ›

Protein bars meant to be used as meal replacements can be high in calories. Although higher-calorie bars are appropriate for a hearty snack or light meal, eating higher-calorie bars can lead to unintended weight gain over time if you don't consider how those calories fit into your diet as a whole.

Is almond butter better than peanut butter for protein? ›

Protein. Nut butters are a great source of vegetable protein. As it turns out, peanut butter has a small lead over almond butter in terms of protein content. There are 6.7 grams of protein in a serving of almond butter, and 7.1 grams of protein in a serving of peanut butter.

What is the healthiest nut butter with high protein? ›

Peanut butter is among the most affordable nut butters and it's a good bang for your buck—it has the highest amount of protein per serving of all nut butters (about 8 grams). It's also rich in antioxidants.

What should I eat instead of a protein bar? ›

Here are some of our favorites.
  • Lorissa's Kitchen Original Beef Sticks. Beef is a great source of protein. ...
  • Nuts. Not only are nuts super delicious and filling, but they're full of protein. ...
  • Greek Yogurt. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Turkey or Chicken. ...
  • Peanut Butter Toast. ...
  • Canned Tuna. ...
  • Protein Powder.
Oct 11, 2022

What is a substitute for butter in bars? ›

WHAT ARE BUTTER ALTERNATIVES FOR BAKING?
  1. MARGARINE. Margarine is a fat that is made mostly from vegetable oil that's flavored to taste like butter. ...
  2. SHORTENING. Shortening is 100% fat, made from hydrogenated vegetable oils. ...
  3. OLIVE OIL & VEGETABLE OIL. ...
  4. COCONUT OIL. ...
  5. PUMPKIN PURÉE. ...
  6. APPLESAUCE. ...
  7. GREEK YOGURT. ...
  8. BANANAS.

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