I was tempted to call these “Fruit & Nut Flapjacks” because that’s what they taste like but because they’re so healthy, I’ve found them to be the perfect breakfast!
These bars are simply made up of a mixture of fruit, nuts & seeds, making them full of fibre, protein and nutritional goodness. Not to mention that they are naturally gluten-free, vegan & paleo-friendly.
Normally, I’m not a breakfast person (yes, I’m one of those freaks who doesn’t eat breakfast) and if I’m going out for the day, I have to force myself to eat something before I leave. Which is why I love these sort of breakfasts you can bring with you, to eat on-the-go.
I think these bars would also be brilliant for athletes and those who work out a lot because it’s both high carb and high protein, providing lot’s of energy.
I’m far from being an athlete and I basically do no exercise but I do need energy-boosting foods in the mornings!
This recipe is really simple to make. It’s just a case of combining all the dry ingredients in a bowl, heating the nut butter and maple syrup in a pan until smooth, mixing the whole lot together, pressing into a tin and baking for 15 minutes.
One batch will make breakfast for two people for a week. If you’re just making it for yourself, you can either half the recipe and use a smaller pan or you can freeze the bars.
Note: I’ve not yet attempted to freeze the bars so I’m not 100% sure how well they’ll defrost. However, I have frozen similar recipes made with similar ingredients, successfully.
These bars are:
- Dairy-free & vegan
- Gluten-free, grain-free & paleo-friendly
- Soy-free
- High in plant-based protein (10g per bar!)
- Kid-friendly (perfect for quick breakfasts)
Breakfast Protein Bars (Without Protein Powder)
These delicious breakfast bars are full of nutritional goodness and plant-based protein! Perfect for when you need your breakfast to "grab and go"!
Ingredients
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- ½ cup shelled hemp seeds
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 ½ cups mixed nuts, chopped into small chunks (I added cashews, walnuts, almonds & pistachios to a high-powered blender and pulsed for a few seconds)
- ½ cup raisins
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup cashew butter, or nut butter of your choice
- 4 tbsp maple syrup or date paste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F and line a brownie tin with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the coconut, seeds, nuts, raisins and cinnamon.
- In a large saucepan, melt the cashew butter with the maple syrup on a medium heat. Once it's well combined and smooth, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add the contents of the bowl to the saucepan and mix until everything is well combined. If you need to, you can add a small drop of water to help it stick together.
- Transfer to the brownie tin and press down as firmly as possible to create a flat, even layer.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Leave to cool completely before cutting into 12 bars. Keep in an air-tight tin for up to a week. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Yield 12Amount Per Serving Calories 340Carbohydrates 20.8gFiber 3.3gSugar 10.9gProtein 10g
K says
I made these with a few substitutions but they held together quite nicely. I don’t like coconut, I made some quinoa to replace the coconut for the volume and also thought it would help with binding but ended up not adding it because there was already so much in the mix. I also did not add any nut butter either and while mine definitely do hold their shape, a nut butter would probably help. I used honey instead of maple syrup and almond extract instead of vanilla, but the biggest addition was 5 tbsp of chia left to sit in 12.5 tbsp water- it really gelled together and help bind everything really well. Next time I will bake slightly longer and in a lower oven so they set more, but with the chia they are firm, cut well, and hold their shape!
Virginia says
After reading the other comments, I made these adding 4 Tablespoons of butter (coconut oil or ghee would probably work too) and 2 eggs to this recipe. I baked them as instructed and let them cool completely before cutting. They held together quite well.
Michel bergeron says
I read all the comments & NO answer to the crumbling essu.!?. There’s has to be a way.!
Virginia says
See my comment above for what worked for me (i.e. adding 4 Tablespoons butter and 2 eggs).
Rhonda says
These turned out great! I substituted pine nuts for pumpkin seeds, and date nectar for maple syrup. Used entire 8oz of raw mixed nuts container. No binding issues, not sure if my subs mattered. Great recipe!
Kelly Bauman says
Has this recipe been updated yet to address the poor binding issue? If not, has anyone found a solution?
Michel bergeron says
Date nector someone mention.?
Angela Blackmon says
Flax seed and water are a binder to replace eggs just use more you may have to play with the amount a little to get it to bind.
simi says
I wonder if adding an egg with help bind everything…
Carol says
These taste yummy but like other comments they really do not hold together at all and you will just end up with granola! I even increased the peanut butter thinking it will stick together better but no luck. Feeling disappointed.
Aimee says
Hi Carol, thanks for your feedback. I wonder if the type of nut butter makes a difference too. I will revisit this recipe as soon as I get the chance. Sorry you were left disappointed and hope the granola crumbs were tasty, at least!
Shrey_bro says
What can I use instead of maple syrup or date paste…. Plzz let me know
Adriana says
I have made these several times but every time it comes out too crumbly, it won’t hold together. My husband loves it, eats it like cereal or sprinkles it on vegan ice cream. I would like suggestions on how to make it hold, so he can take it to go as a bar. Thanks
Lauren says
What can I use instead of coconut? I hate coconut.
christine beltran says
yes i have made too-any ideas on keeping it together instead of being crumbly? i did add more water and cashew butter.
Rosemary says
Tried making these. Delicious! My new breakfast on the go to take to work. I used peanut butter as we always have a jar sitting around. And flax seeds instead of sesame. Thanks very much for the recipe :-)
Aimee says
So glad you enjoyed them, thanks Rosemary!
Judy says
I have made these twice, once using the Maple Syrup and the second time using date paste. The date paste is better, but they are still very crumbly. We love these, so I am looking for suggestions to get them to hold together better.
MaryAlyce Troyan says
I couldn’t get them to hold together either. I ended up using it as a grain free granola to top off my chia seed pudding or almond milk yogurt. I, too, would like suggestions on getting them to hold together better.
Emily says
I had a go at these tonight and they’re delicious! Mine were a bit crumbly but I did use a bit of artist license with the recipe so it’s my own fault!
Carol ingram says
I am not a fan of coconut. Would oatmeal be a good option? Thanks for the great recipes.
Vegan Heaven says
These bars look like such a great treat, Aimee! Love how healthy they are. :-)
Aimee says
Thanks Sina! :-)
Ginny McMeans says
I love getting the extra protein. These bars look great and a perfect snack.
Aimee says
Thanks Ginny!
Alisa Fleming says
So much seedy, nutty goodness, I love it! Who needs protein powder?
Aimee says
Right? Nature provides! Thanks Alisa :-)
Leah M | love me, feed me says
These look so hearty and filling! Would be perfect to bring camping or hiking!!
Aimee says
Yes! Perfect hiking snack for providing energy :-) Thanks Leah!
Anna says
Ohhh, you know I love my breakfast, and these little noms would be perfect for me! I would also happily have them for lunch, and dinner ;) x
Aimee says
I think I’m turning into a bit of a breakfast person too! It’s so unlike me but I’m loving breakfasts at the moment :-)
The Vegan 8 says
These look so amazing and nutty and seedy and delicious Aimee! I want to eat the whole batch! Major yum!
Aimee says
Thanks Brandi! When I made it I couldn’t wait to eat the whole batch but they’re SO filling!
Natalie Tamara @TheTofuDiaries says
These look ahhh-mazing! I almost always eat breakfast but it’s usually done sitting at my desk once I’ve got to work so something like this where you can make a batch in advance works perfectly :)
Aimee says
Eating breakfast at a desk is something most of us can relate to I think! They are so handy for making up for the week, I’m already thinking of making more for next week :-)
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
Oh Yum! I’ve been looking for a good post morning run recipe that I can easily make and eat for breakfast! These look absolutely perfect! Definitely will be trying them;)
Aimee says
I think this would be the perfect post-run breakfast! Full of carbs and protein for energy and recovery :-) (Not that I’m an expert on anything to do with exercise!!)
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
LOVE stuff like this that you can have on hand for a quick and easy breakfast. It’s hard especially when you have kids to take care of, I often put myself last. Perfect idea!
Aimee says
This recipe is great for families because it feeds a few for a few days!
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
What lovely nutty, seedy little bars! I love things like this and would definitely eat them for breakfast. I never miss breakfast. It’s my favourite meal of the day!
Aimee says
I’ve always wished I was a morning/breakfast person. I’ve always been told it’s unhealthy to skip it but sometimes the idea of eating anything before lunch time makes me feel sick. I think it’s just the way I am, always have been a late eater! Doesn’t mean I can’t eat breakfast foods for lunch though ;-)
Hana | Nirvana Cakery says
These are lovely Aimee! Love the recipe and your pictures!
Aimee says
Thanks Hana! Cannot wait to meet you next week :-) See you soon <3
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
These are textured and chewy and bumbly and toasty in just the right way!! I adore snack recipes like this <3 I'm not much of a morning eater either, but i love breakfast foods! I would eat these at any hour of the day, recipes like this never last long around me :)
Aimee says
Bumbly is my new favourite word <3
Becky Striepe says
These look so good, Aimee!
Aimee says
Thank you, Becky!
Jenn says
Grab-n-go breakfasts are the best! I am usually a breakfast lover for sure, but there are definitely days when I don’t feel like eating right away. These would be the perfect thing to take along with me.
Aimee says
They’re perfect for that kind of thing :-) Thanks Jenn!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah, it’s a healthy-fat paradise!!
I love all the seeds and nuts and COCONUT! These definitely qualify as a hearty filling breakfast sub!
Aimee says
Thanks Rebecca!
Mara says
Oh wow, they look sooo delicious!
Do you think the cashew butter can somehow be substituted?
It’s very expensive here in Germany, so using 1/2 cup in one sitting isn’t really affordable :D
Aimee says
I hear ya, Mara! It’s not cheap here either. If you’re not worried about it being paleo-friendly, just use peanut butter – it will be DELICIOUS :D