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)
📖 Recipe
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
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