S'MORES PROTEIN BARS (VEGAN)

August 28, 2019

S'MORES PROTEIN BARS (VEGAN)

These S’mores Protein Bars are vegan, low sugar, high protein, and high fiber! The fluffy marshmallows, sesame seed butter and dark chocolate are all you need to have a daily campfire retreat! I love camping and used to do it all the time in Idaho – I wonder, are there any good places in Dallas area? Anyway, you need to make these before summer is over. They are some of the best vegan protein bars I’ve ever had! They get their protein from pea isolate and hemp hearts. You might also like my Butter Pecan Protein Bars (Vegan).

Did you know? Hemp hearts contain a whopping 10 grams of protein per three tablespoons, making them an excellent source of plant-based protein as well as omega-3 fats, vitamin E and essential minerals (source).

Protein powder substitutions

The two main ingredients for these protein bars are rolled oats (can use gluten-free) and cinnamon pea protein isolate (any brand is fine!). You can use another flavor like vanilla, or another plant-based protein powder, like rice or soy protein. You can even sub whey or casein protein powder, though you just may need to adjust the amount of water (start with a tablespoon at a time). If you don’t have protein powder, you can use an additional three-quarters cup of rolled oats for more of a granola bar!

Substitutions for the hemp hearts

The third major ingredient is hemp hearts! I love them for adding a little protein boost and they add a hearty, seedy taste to these S’mores Protein Bars. You can substitute ground flax, almond flour, or more rolled oats, but these are somewhat lower in protein.

Sweetener options

These bars also contain Vitafiber isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) syrup, made from the root of the tapioca aka cassava plant. Use my code “VFSARAHW20” for 20% off! Vitafiber is rich in soluble fiber, but it does have calories and can affect blood sugar. Those with diabetes or blood sugar issues should use sparingly. If you don’t have Vitafiber syrup, you can use another sticky syrup like maple syrup or honey, but this will add a significant amount of carbs and sugar.

Since neither my protein powder or the Vitafiber are overly sweet, I added a little Pyure Organic Stevia Blend, a natural blend of stevia and erythritol that’s twice as sweet as sugar. You may not need this if your protein powder is sweet enough!

Flavor options

Finally, these S’mores Protein Bars include sunflower seed butter (Sunbutter), chopped dark chocolate (can use vegan), and vegan marshmallows. You can omit the dark chocolate and marshmallow to make these other flavors, like sprinkles for a Birthday Cake version or crumbled sandwich cookies for a Cookies & Cream version! Feel free to swap the sunflower seed butter for almond butter or cashew butter, too.

Here’s the printable recipe for these vegan S’mores Protein Bars! I hope you’ll rate and comment below if you try them 🙂

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5 from 1 vote

S’mores Protein Bars (Vegan)

These S’mores Protein Bars are vegan, high in protein and fiber, low sugar, and loaded with fluffy marshmallows and dark chocolate chunks.
Course Snack
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 20 minutes
Servings 8 bars
Calories 197kcal
Author Sarah Wilkins, No Excuses Nutrition

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup rolled or quick oats see instructions
  • 3/4 cup (90g) vegan protein powder* I used a cinnamon-flavored pea isolate
  • 1/2 cup hemp hearts*
  • 3 tbsp. calorie-free sweetener optional, I used Pyure Organic Stevia Blend
  • 1/4 tsp. salt optional
  • 6 tbsp. VitaFiber syrup* or sugar-free pancake syrup, honey, maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seed butter*
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract optional
  • 30 g vegan dark chocolate*
  • 20 g vegan mini marshmallows*

*See blog post above for substitutions.

    Instructions

    • If using rolled oats, add all the dry ingredients (through salt) to a blender and pulse to combine. If using quick oats, simply whisk dry ingredients in a bowl.
    • Add wet ingredients (through vanilla extract) and mix to form a thick, pliable dough. You may need to adjust the amount of water if subbing whey or casein protein powder (start with just one tablespoon).
    • Fold in dark chocolate and marshmallows, then press dough into a parchment lined 8″x8″ baking pan or 7″x9″ dish.
    • Chill in fridge for 20-30 minutes, then cut into eight equal bars. Bars are best kept chilled but will not melt at room temperature either.

    Notes

    Calories (per bar, including optional ingredients): 197kcal, Fat: 7.4g, Sat fat: 1.5g, Carbs: 22g, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 5g, Protein: 16g, Sodium: 274mg




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