No Bake Apricot Oat Protein Bars are easy to make with turkish apricots, gluten free oats, protein, and seeds! The perfect nutritious protein packed snack or breakfast to go! Sweet, salty, chewy, and dense! A wholesome homemade protein bar recipe that’s nut free, vegan, and naturally sweetened!Â
I am fully aware that the internet doesn’t need more protein bar recipes. Or another energy bar recipe for that matter. But heck, how many tailored nutrition bars do you see in the grocery store already? Um, a TON! Vegan, paleo, low sugar, high protein, macro diet, meat bars, fruit bars, fiber bars, like whoa…
Yet here I am posting one. I have my reasons.
Then again, if we only had one energy bar, energy bite, or protein bar option, we’d get bored. I would. I also think, no… I KNOW that the reason there are so many pre-made nutrition bars out there is because EVERY ONE  has their own unique nutritional needs. Which is why I am adding another homemade protein bar recipe to the list. These No bake apricot oatmeal protein bars have a true nutritional function. Nut free, vegan, and gluten free! And I will FOR SURE explain on that “functionality” in a minute.
First, I wanted you to know that this homemade protein bar recipe, is in fact, one of our FAVORITES. LIKE EVER!  I don’t lie folks. I was actually in shock when my husband told me it was his favorite too! It all came down to texture, chewiness, and the balance of sweet/salty. Dried Turkish apricots, gluten free rolled oats, pumpkin seed, vanilla protein, maple syrup or honey, and a drizzle of dark chocolate. A winning combo with any snacky food, don’t you think?
Now here’s where the story and functionality come into place. You see, the week before we left for Moab (to go hiking), my husband developed a cold sore. Usually this is brought upon by stress. Ya, it was a stressful week for us both. This means his immune system was poor and lacking in nutrients. I must have forgotten to feed him all the”stress reducing” foods. WHOOPS! Anyway, if you have you had a cold sore brought on by stress, you get the frustration!
The best thing you can do (in my opinion) to heal that cold sore faster is to rest, hydrate, avoid stimulants (coffee, nuts, alcohol), and increase minerals ( like iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, etc.). It’s also important to add in Vitamin B 12 and omega 3 fatty acid rich foods. Yes, I’m totally going to use food to heal here, but hey, what’s new.
Stay with me.
So .. there we were, needing snacks and energy/protein bars to take on our hiking trip, yet the Kiwi (aka my husband) needed to heal that cold sore. My inner nutrition nerd rejoiced at this challenge. Hence these Nut Free No Bake Apricot Oat Protein Bars!
Let’s break it down now, shall week?
- Turkish Apricots are a good source of non heme iron. It’s what I used to make these homemade vegan protein bars! Plant based iron.
- Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc. Zinc is KEY for boosting immunity.
- Plant Based Protein Powder (or quality grass fed whey protein if you are not vegan). Choose high quality (less processed) protein powder that’s rich in amino acids.  You need amino acids for growing and repairing muscle tissue.
- Flaxseed – Rich in fiber and Omega 3’s. Actually, Omega-3 (ALA) 6,338mg
- Gluten Free Rolled Oats – Oats are also a good source of minerals and B Vitamins. Especially selenium, magnesium, and copper. These whole grains are high fiber can help lower (regulate) blood sugar. Having high blood sugar is another stress on the body, which you want to avoid of course. Certified Gluten Free Rolled oats are best used for those with gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease
Am I totally boring you about bars or what? No no no, I hope not!
My point is this. Keep a list of homemade Protein Bars and energy bars recipes handy. You will need them for different FUNCTIONS. Whether is be to replenish muscles from a workout, whether it be for food allergy sensitivity, whether it be for FUEL, or even just a breakfast/snack to go. There are endless reasons why.
HOW TO MAKEÂ No Bake Apricot Oat Protein Bars
But I kinda sorta think these No Bake Apricot Oatmeal Protein Bars should be at the top of your list. Yes, I am bias.
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No Bake Apricot Oat Protein Bars
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 bars 1x
Description
No Bake Apricot Oat Protein Bars are the perfect nutritious wholesome snack! Sweet, salty, chewy, and nutrient dense! Nut free, vegan, and gluten free.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup gluten free rolled oats
- ½ cup flaxseed
- 1 cup dried Turkish Apricots (+ extra chopped for topping)
- pinch of sea salt
- hot water
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder (vegan)
- optional toppings – ¼ cup Optional melting Dark Chocolate (vegan/gluten free)
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Blend together your pumpkin seed, gluten free oats, and flaxseed. Blend (in blender or food processor) until a “mealy” batter is formed.
- Place batter in bowl.
- Next blend/pulse your apricots until finely chopped/diced. Combine with oat/seed blend. Mix in your protein powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate small mixing bowl, combine your maple syrup or honey, â…“ cup of hot water, and vanilla extract. Stir all together and add to your dry ingredients (the apricot/oat/protein mix).
- Mix well with hands then press into a baking dish. Sprinkle extra chopped apricots and oats on top. If you want to add vegan chocolate (dark chocolate) do so here. Just heat vegan chocolate chips in the microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then drizzle on top of bars.
- Let bars cool in fridge to set. Around 30 minutes. See notes on batter texture.
- Once batter is set, you can cut into 10 squares.
- Keep refrigerated.
Notes
- Estimated Nutrition shown below is per bar, without melted chocolate topping.
- If the batter gets too thick, just add more hot water or even a little honey/maple syrup. If it’s too wet, add more ground oats or coconut flour.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dessert
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 232
- Sugar: 12.9g
- Sodium: 48.5mg
- Fat: 11.3g
- Saturated Fat: 1.7g
- Carbohydrates: 23.8g
- Fiber: 5.1g
- Protein: 13.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: protein bars, no bake, nut free, vegan, gluten free
No bake, no prob, no nuts, no gluten, no dairy, no refined sugar, no nonsense DELICIOUSÂ PROTEIN BARS! Seem there’s NO reason NOT to try them. Haha, ya, that sounds about right.
If you could be a protein bar flavor, what would you be? Kidding. Maybe. NO Â really though, do you customize energy bar and protein bar recipes for your nutritional needs? Or your family’s nutritional needs?
Would love to see what works for you! And please, let me know if you try these, for sure!
But wait, there’s more! This recipe is part of our 10 BEST OF FOOD ALLERGY FRIENDLY LUNCH BOX IDEAS.
Head on over to the page to check out more recipes!Â
Cheers,
Can I ask, what is better to use, honey or maple syrup? I’m dairy and egg free so I could use either honey or maple syrup but looking for the tastiest option. Thanks!
Honey is thicker, so the bars would have a stickier texture. I actually think honey taste great with apricot as well. Some people just prefer a lighter taste/texture, like maple. Hope that helps!
Hi, is there any way I could make these with fresh, rather than dried, apricots? What might happen if I try to bake them a bit? I got a bumper crop off my tree this year. I don’t want to have to dry them first.
I’m not sure it would work with fresh apricots. The batter would be quite wet vs sticky. You could use fresh apricots to make a salsa! I have lots of salsa recipes. This peach one might be a good recipe to go off of. Replace the peach with apricot. https://www.cottercrunch.com/chipotle-peach-salsa-recipe/. I also have a peach salad which you could replace with apricot. https://www.cottercrunch.com/chipotle-chicken-salad-with-quinoa/
Or they might work in these muffins. Replace the blueberry with apricot https://www.cottercrunch.com/low-fodmap-gluten-free-blueberry-muffins/
My body doesn’t digest protein powder at all without extreme pain. Is there something else I can use as a substitute. Also can I use my own dehydrated apricots?
Is this for all protein or just whey/soy protein? Have you tried a collagen powder? YOu could use more oat flour or an almond flour in place of the protein. THe taste/texture will vary but it should work! Keep me posted.
I was hoping to make these and take them on a plane for a work conference, will they last without being refrigerated for half a day while I travel or sit in my backpack during long conference days?
I think they should last! Unless it’s super hot. Keep me posted Anna!
Made these and they were delicious. They are a great way to get extra protein in too!
★★★★★
oh yay! So glad you enjoyed it Kay. Thanks for letting us know.
i would love it try that
This is an amazing recipe! I’ve gone through so many batches lol. I was using sunwarrior vanilla. It wasn’t unsweetened and it was good. Last time I used a different powder and did NOT like as much. Too sweet and mixed weird. I have Vega sport and am tempted to use that. Is there anything else I can sub that isn’t as sweet. If PB flour, does the PB really stand out? Thanks!
★★★★★
Oh yay! Thank you so much Nicole. I think PB flour would totally work! Not too overpowering
WHAT CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE PROTEIN POWDER FOR
do you have ground oats or oat flour?
How much vanilla did you use?
about 1 tsp. Sorry about that.
Thanks for replying! Looking forward to making these soon!
While these taste wonderful and my two year old with a peanut allergy finally has a protein bar like his older brother-they were a crumble mess for the most part. Any thoughts on what I did wrong?
I’m so sorry to hear this Staci. I’m sure we can find a solution. What protein powder did you use? Did you grind rolled oats or quick oats? Did you grind the pumpkin seed enough? Did you use honey or maple syrup? Happy to help!
I used Vega and rolled oats. I ground the oats, flax seeds and pumpkins seeds all together. Maybe I will try to grind them separately? I used the maple syrup, water and vanilla.
Just emailed you with my tips. ?
YES!! Thank you. Wasn’t sure if I could email back or not. This batch we will mostly eat with a spoon because they are so GOOD!! But, I will get the right consistency next time. Thanks for responding so quickly!!
I really thought that getting a cold sore when I’m stressed was something that I totally made up in my head. But now I know that it happens to other people. Finally, I’m feeling validated! I never made the connection to a weakened immune system that could be addressed with nutrient – rich foods. So glad to have stumbled on this recipe today. Thank you.
These bars are delicious and extremely easy to make. My only complaint is that the taste from the vanilla protein powder was overwhelming and far too sweet (I used Vega… maybe there’s a better option out there). However, I made them a second time and subbed the powder for hemp hearts. Now the little bit of sweetness from the apricots and maple syrup are perfect. Will definitely make these again. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
oh yes, vega can be a bit sweet for me. Unless you use their unsweetened protein. I also like using PB flour. Your hemp heart idea is great!
These sound sooooo good! I don’t have vanilla flavored protein powder, can that be left out or subbed with something else? I have unflavored, maybe add a touch of vanilla? Thanks!
I think the unflavored with vanilla would be great! Not as sweet but I these are sweet enough with the fruit and chocolate. Keep me posted
What protein powder do you use?
Thanks!
Liz
I used a vegan one! Sunwarrior and Vega work great and they are sprouted. Vanilla flavor.
I love these bars they’re so tasty!
I substituted the pumpkin seeds with desiccated coconut and the flaxseed with chia seeds (just what I had at home) and it worked out great!
I just wanted to ask, what do you think the shelf life of these bars would be? (without the chocolate – boring I know) I can’t see them “expiring” anytime soon as they’re all natural ingredients.
Thanks again for the great recipe!
Oh yea!! I think these should last a while in the fridge no prob! They freeze well too!
These look amazing! Any way I can leave out the maple syrup? My protein powder is already quite sweet and I think the syrup would overwhelm them.
Thanks for your help!
You need a little binder with with water. Maybe add just 1 tbsp of maple? Keep me posted!
I 100% agree that there are so many different reasons for different bars. It made me think of listening to your Chopped podcast interview; I loved how you said that there is room for everyone in the blogging world; we need everyone’s voice for different reasons. I think the same thing applies to recipes!!!
These photos are so, so beautiful!
thanks lauren!
Great recipe! I love the sweetness of apricot paired with dark chocolate. And the texture of these looks perfect!
totally with ya Ash!
I am biased for anything you make. Count me in for these next on my list!
likewise bro!
These bars look amazing! I appreciate the break down of the nutrients in the bars! 🙂
of course! glad to help!
Absolutely love this Lindsay! I’ve been tweeting and pinning this recipe like a mad woman! Gorgeous!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it Debbie!
These protein bars are gorgeous!! I feel like apricots are an under appreciated fruit, so I’m always glad to see them in recipes.
I so agree! and Apricots are just lovely in all things!
You are not boring me at all with these bars!! 😉 They are perfect. I was just thinking how I wanted to make apricot squares… and wah-lah, here you are! Thank you Lindsay!
These bars look so beautiful! perfect for road trips and hikes !! I absolutely love that these are no bake – the kids are going to be making their own snacks 🙂
What a perfect snack, I love that you drizzle chocoalte on top!
You had me at no beake! Looks like an incredibly delicious and healthy bar!
I have been all about no bake bars lately… these are beautiful, and I love the apricot/chocolate combo!
Those are beautiful AND no bake!!! For me – it is about healthy ingredients that meet my needs and EASY!!! 🙂
I so agree! xxoo you!
This needs making. You know what would be awesome as well? Figs added to this. Turkish figs and turkish apricots. YUM
Perfection! I just bought a container of dried Turkish apricots at the grocery store last weekend, with no specific recipe in mind. I need to make a batch of these STAT!
I read your mind!
Such an important reminder of how food can be used to heal the body! Love it and love these bars!
I so agree!