Trail Mix Protein Bars
Updated May. 08th, 2024
Kick start your day with a protein punch – well, not that kind of punch but we think you get the point. These homemade gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free bars are the best way to get the energy you need to keep up with your active lifestyle. Easily pack them for a hiking trip, or make a big batch to store so you can enjoy them all the time. Enjoy these grab and go bars as part of a well-balanced meal or a snack to keep you going throughout the day, either way you’ll be sure to love them!
- Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| 1/3 cup chickpea flour | ¼ teaspoon baking soda | ½ cup dried cranberries |
| ¼ cup sprouted rice protein powder | ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon | ½ cup dried apricots, cut into small pieces |
| 1/3 cup quinoa flakes | ¼ teaspoon himalayan rock salt | ½ cup medjool dates, pitted, and cut into small pieces |
| 3 tablespoon ground flaxseed | 1 ½ cup toasted walnuts, chopped |
| binding goodness: | ||
|---|---|---|
| ½ apple, diced [any kind will do the trick] | ½ cup prunes | ¼ cup maple syrup or brown rice syrup |
Directions
Preheat over to 350F
- Get your pans ready! Grab one 8x8 pan and one baking sheet and line both of them with parchment paper or a silicon-baking mat.
- Using your baking sheet, slightly toast your walnuts in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Once finished, set aside for later.
- While you’re waiting, in a small saucepan filled with water, cover your apples and prunes and bring to a simmer. After roughly five minutes of cooking, drain the liquid and set aside.
- Measure out your maple syrup and place in a blender or food processor with the cooked apples and prunes. Blend/pulse until smooth.
- Combine remaining ingredients into a large bowl, and stir. Add in walnuts from the baking sheet, and stir.
- Take your fruit mixture and add into the dry ingredient bowl and mix thoroughly so there are no hidden clumps of flour left unstirred. Using your hands and a spatula, spread the mixture into your lined pan. It is important to ensure your mixture is filling the corners and is smoothly pressed into the pan, so use your fingers or improvise and use something cylinder as a mini rolling pin to make this happen.
- Finally, place your pan in the oven and turn heat down to 325F. Bake for 30-35 minutes, being sure to take it out once the top is a lovely golden brown colour.
- Before cutting into bars, its important to let it cool properly. The cooler the better, but if you’re in a hurry wait at least 20 minutes.
Make It This Way
Substitution time: If you don't have chickpea flour on hand, try swapping it out with a combination of brown and white rice flour.
Don’t have sprouted rice protein powder? No problem. You can use any kind of protein powder - hemp, rice or whey protein for example. Keep in mind that the protein powder does significantly contribute to the flavour of the bars, so if you’re not a fan of your taste in baked goods, use an unflavoured one. If you prefer to leave it out altogether, you can also substitute the protein powder with extra quinoa flakes if you prefer.
Try This
If you’re the type of person who loves having some sort of chocolate in your trail mix, especially after a long hike or climb to the top of a mountain, try adding some dark chocolate chunks or cacao nibs to the mixture!
These look so delicious and filling! I love anything that has protein and energy in it for a snack or even a quick breakfast on the go! This recipe seems to have everything from nuts to apples to dates and to cranberries! All things that I would not have thought to put together but really complement each other to make a sweet and savoury snack! Such a great idea, thank you so much for sharing this recipe it looks delicious!
Hello,
These ingredients do go very well together to make this delicious snack that's excellent for lunches, outdoor adventures or breakfast on the go. It's something the whole family will love & a much better alternative than store bought bars.
Enjoy!
I am, like O, a sucker for anything that has protein and energy in it for a snack or even a quick breakfast on the go! This recipe looks delicious as well as healthy and I know I'll be adding some dark chocolate for the flavanoids! (haha and obviously the flavor too). Given this recipe can be customized year-round with what's in season, I think it would be hard to get tired of. I am very excited for doing a mint chocolate one in December. Do you have any other seasonal ideas for this yummy recipe?
Hello Rachel,
Trail mix is a great snack option and as you mentioned, you can switch up the flavour to suit your mood, cravings or season. Mint chocolate sounds delicious, thanks for sharing. You could add dehydrated apples with cinnamon in the fall and other dehydrated seasonal fruit. You can learn more about the benefits of cocoa here: https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/supplement-articles-cacao/
Have a healthy day!