Happy Monday, friends! 😀
Don’t believe me? How about now… ?
Still no, eh? Tough crowd. I know, I know – Mondays can be a little rough. That’s why I spent part [10 minutes] of my weekend baking up some treats to share with you guys… And by baking I mean throwing a few ingredients in a bowl, mixing them together, tossing the mixture into the fridge, and calling it good. So… no-baking, I guess? I mean, sure, there was some minor stove work involved…
… but let’s not get caught up in petty details – let’s talk about the finished product instead.
Snack/protein/energy bars. Everyone loves them. They’re quick, they’re easy, they’re convenient, and with the proper ingredients, they’re pretty healthy and satisfying too. They’re also the bane of my existence. Why? Two words – peanut.allergy. Almost every single commercial bar out there is either loaded with peanuts or may contain traces of the pesky buggers; and most of the peanut-free versions leave a little something to be desired in terms of staying power. But that’s what weekend afternoon baking sessions are for, right?
If these bars look a little familiar, it’s because they were completely inspired by my Rice Krispie Energy Bites. I loved the flavour of those so much that I wanted to recreate them – only this time with a different texture. So, I swapped out the cereal for oat flour and was rewarded with a softer, denser, and fudgier bar.
I also threw in regular oats and crispy rice cereal to add some texture and crunch; and chocolate because… well… who really needs a reason for chocolate?
The result is, in a word, phenomenal. Imagine a subtly sweet bar that’s packed with flavour and wholesome ingredients. A bar that’s soft and fudgy enough to melt in your mouth, yet dense and textured enough to surprise you with the occasional crunch. A bar that satisfies not only your body, but your soul as well. Deep. Now stop imaging and go whip up a batch! It only takes all of 10 minutes!
I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
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No-Bake Almond Fudge Protein Bars
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats, ground into a flour
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder (I used whey)
- 1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
- 1/2 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Optional: 2-3 Tbsp. chocolate chips for melting
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×5 loaf pan by spraying it with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine oat flour, quick oats, protein powder, and crispy rice cereal. Mix until well combined and set aside.
- In a small pan over medium heat, add almond butter and honey, stirring until the almond butter is melted and fully combined with the honey. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Remove from heat and pour into the dry mixture. Stir until everything is fully combined.
- Pour into prepared loaf pan. Using a spatula or your hands, spread the mixture evenly in the pan, pressing down firmly.*
- Optional: place chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and nuke on high in 20 second intervals, mixing between each. When chocolate is fully melted, drizzle over the top of the packed mix using a spoon.
- Place pan into fridge and allow to cool for ~30 minutes before cutting into bars.
Notes
* make sure to press the mixture into the pan very firmly or the bars may fall apart.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
I have to say that for being ridiculously easy to make, these guys are also ridiculously difficult to resist. Photographing them was probably one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in a while, and it’s a miracle that I had anything left to showcase at all with the amount of snacking that went on behind the scenes. You guys know what I’m talking about… uneven edges, broken pieces, crumbs… a nibble here, a tiny sliver there. Oi. At this rate, I’ll be whipping up another batch very, very soon.
Happy Monday! 😀
These look quite good and I might try them when I stop being so lazy. I like my bars dense and these look like they are. The problem with light and crispy bars is that you inhale them in a minute and are left unsatisfied. Denser one do the job without the need for seconds.
Yum these look amazing!! They’re very similar to Angela’s Quick n’ Easy No-Bake Protein Bars http://ohsheglows.com/2013/08/29/quick-n-easy-no-bake-protein-bars/
Great minds think alike!
I thought exactly the same thing when I saw her post those today 😆
Swoon! When I saw your IG post teaser the other day, I knew I had to stop by and check out this recipe. However, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long, because I could totally go for one (or 10) of these bars right now! Hrmmm…you *did* say they only take 10 minutes, though, so I could probably whip up a batch before bed, right? Seriously considering it. They look absolutely incredible.
I hope you’re doing well, Amanda! Sending big hugs your way! <3 xoxoxo
These look delicious. I’ve been thinking about them every since you posted them on Instagram.
Aaaaah! Can you make some of these for me? Pretty please? Holy YUM! These look like a better version of the scotcheroos my family used to make at home. Now I need them asap!
Trade you for some potato nachos 😉
I’m making these on the weekend, love anything nut butter and they’re perfect for taking to school!
Corners are the best! I love baking and nibbling. These look killer- can’t wait to try.
I like a soft chewier texture similar to lara bars. But on the flip I also enjoy crunchy bars like kashi’s crunch almond butter bars.
Please promise me when the time comes that we meet you will bring these bad, drool worthy babies along?
broken pieces, crumbs, whatever it may be I REFUSE to let ANY go to waste… even if that means licking the plate cleaner than my dog could.
Oh these look delicious! I need to run off and find some rice crispies!
I need a napkin to wipe the drool off my keyboard…
oh man. anything that doesn’t involve the oven + you’ve got me. now if i can figure out how to eliminate that pesky stove step…
these look delicious! i’ve been meaning to keep some snacks that actually have nutrition and/or protein, when i get the munchies in the afternoon. i’ll have to add these to my list.
You could probably get away with it if you were willing to put in some extra arm work… It just makes the AB way easier to work with.
I feel like there is a hidden theme going on the blog world for today- lots of delicious dessert recipes! Must be to make us all feel better it’s Monday? Either way, yours look phenomenal!
Glad to be back to reading your blog on a regular basis Amanda, it’s looking beautiful as always and of course you are always posting new ideas/recipes here! This particular recipe is one I plan to make soon…. though with peanut butter as I have been on a major pb kick for quite some time now!
I like the consistency of both Quest bars and Clif bars… though throwing in a more crispy one at times is nice to do, shake it up some! Oh the exciting life I lead 😉
Expect photographic evidence next week after I make it. No joke. Quest bars..Quest who?
I’ve been looking for a protein bar recipe that uses simple ingredients like this!! Do they hold together alright?
They do! I keep mine in a sealed container in the fridge, but I didn’t run into any problems even after toting some around to snack on while I was out all day.
Do these ship well?? They look to DIE for friend! xoxo
I guess there would only be one way to find out 😉
OH MY GOSH I need to make these. Pinned.
You know I totally feel your pain about store bought granola bars. Like really, why are there no companies that make good nut free granola bars? I have seriously considered starting my own company once I finish my internship. 😛
Thank goodness there are bloggers like you that make awesome homemade bars like these. I will definitely be making them soon!
Oh my goodness I want to jump through the computer screen right now to eat these. I need to get some rice krispies and then I am so making these!
uh…soft, dense, AND fudgey?? Even though I’ve been sick and only had an appetite for toast the past few days, I could really go for one of these. YUM!
Sick? Ack! Hope you feel better soon, Kris <3
YUM. Pinning this right now.
These sound perfect. Especially since I have a giant tub of protein powder that never gets used haha! But almond fudge bars? Okay sounds like a plan! Yum.
I’m currently in the same giant protein tub predicament… I’ve been trying to pick away at it by tossing the powder into recipes, but it never seems to get any smaller 😆
Yum. Those look amazing – great photographs!
omg i want these now. like, i wish they were waiting for me when i walk through my door. they look like the perfect texture and basically the perfect flavor combination. im bookmarking this. hope you’re having a great monday!
Ummm these look amazing!! Pinning and saving for later!!
I have wanted these since you Instagrammed them in all their glory yesterday! I will definitely be adding the ingredients to my next grocery store list. Thanks for sharing the recipe! And if you need any help with those crumbs, you know who to call 🙂
I just made some no-bake cookies very similar to this, but I can’t tell you how excited I am by this recipe. I’m going to make them right now because they will be the perfect snack to take to class with me. I don’t have the patience to bake things, so if it takes more than 30 minutes to make, chances are I won’t be using that recipe 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Hehe! The only time I really get hit by the baking itch is when the weather turns nasty – then there’s no place I’d rather be than a warm kitchen.
I hear ya! This is the perfect recipe to make when you’re busy too! Since the prep time is so minimal!
I wish I was creative enough in the kitchen! Hahah I might substitute almond butter for something and then make them! I just don’t like nuts of any kind 🙁 Aaron would love these though so maybe I’ll make them for him 🙂
omg, what an easy recipe, no baking yay! These look so tasty, I am pinning this recipe when I get home!
Oh happy Monday indeed! These sound wonderful and easy!
MARRY ME.
These would be great for hiking. Scratch that. These would be good ANYTIME. Once the weather gets cooler, I’m going to make these. Fall is the best time for baking/making stuff.
I think Court might object to your first statement 😉
GET in my BELLY! I must try these a.s.a.p., they look too yum for words!!
YUMMY!!! This is perfect for potluck parties! Definitely doing this! 🙂
Your photography never fails to amaze! Have a great Monday.
Thank you Rebecca! I hope you have a great one as well 🙂
Making these ASAP 😀
Ahh I’m at work and these bars are making me so hungry!! I’m about the smooth and dense texture!
Those look so yummy. Darn it, I don’t have all the ingredients! I’ll have to put this on my list for next week.
Yum! These could not look any better. I’m excited to try this recipe. 🙂
Ashfk, I think you’ve out-done yourself just a tad here: recipe AND pictures! I need these in my tum ASAP.
So these are going to be all over Healthy Aperture , Foodgawker, etc right?
🙂
Xxx
Fingers crossed! If not then I guess I’ll just need to keep working on my food photography.
Wait…Is that sarcasm??
Hahahaha like your photography could be improved on! Silly.
Xxx
It could! There are some amazing food photographers out there. I still feel like I have a lot to learn 😛