These selfmade vegan protein bars are scrumptious, made with healthful components, and sweetened solely with dates… and have NO pea protein. 🙌
What’s the issue with pea protein? Learn on…
Vegan protein bars have change into massive enterprise. Search on-line and you’ll find so many choices for vegan snack bars and plant-based protein bars.
These snack bars differ drastically in components. I feel LaraBar most likely originated the plant-based snack bar. Whereas not a “protein bar” per se, they’ve entire meals components and protein coming from nuts and seeds.
With the large progress in vegan meals, extra plant-based snack bars have emerged. Some staying in step with that Larabar components of a wholesome snack bar. Then, others with the aim of providing a protein bar that’s vegan – free from animal components usually in protein bars (primarily egg whites and whey protein).
I get pleasure from a vegan snack bar. Generally simply half a bar. Certainly one of my favorites years in the past was Mid-Day Squares. Nevertheless, they just lately modified their components to incorporate pea protein. And that leads me to right now’s publish, and this video.
Introducing Dreena’s “No Pea-Protein” Vegan Protein Bars
So I created my very own vegan protein bars. And I feel they’re scrumptious! They’ve a satisfying chew and aren’t too candy (I exploit a modest quantity of dates to sweeten).
However why the humorous title?
Just a few years in the past I skilled irritation in my physique. Not in only one joint, however in all my joints. My naturopath really useful some meals testing.
Among the many high-offending meals? Mustard seed, sunflower, corn, and peas.
Peas? They appear such pleasant meals! And natural inexperienced peas are one in all my favorites. They appear so innocuous. How may they be one of many massive culprits?
I believed peas could be the best to take away. In contrast to mustard, which I exploit in salad dressings, or corn which we get pleasure from within the type of polenta or snack crackers. Peas appeared the best to eradicate – simply cease consuming inexperienced peas, proper? Not so.
It’s stunning what number of vegan meals have pea protein
Pea protein isn’t just in vegan protein powders (and it is in most plant-based protein powders). Have a look at your labels. Very similar to sunflower (which is utilized in small quantities as sunflower lecithin or sunflower oil in every thing from dietary supplements to crackers), pea protein is making its manner into so many meals.
Each time I meals store, I verify labels of recent vegan merchandise. MOST have pea protein. But it surely’s not simply vegan merchandise like vegan yogurts, vegan milks, and vegan snack bars. It’s additionally in merchandise like granola, cereal, snack bars marketed for kids. It’s additionally in vegan ice cream! Why does a non-dairy ice cream want pea protein? It doesn’t. However these corporations are utilizing it as a dietary “bump” for his or her labelling.
Check out macadamia nut milk, vegan greek yogurts, and all So Scrumptious ice lotions. Pea protein.
Maybe that macadamia milk or vegan greek yogurt could be “low” in protein naturally, however with the addition of pea protein, it has a good protein depend.
That is unlucky as a result of the merchandise don’t want the protein supply to be added. However producers know that customers are searching for larger protein profiles – it appears we nonetheless have some protein inadequacy considerations.
To be clear, protein is just not a priority in a complete meals vegan weight loss program. When consuming quite a lot of meals like leafy greens, entire greens, entire grains, entire grain merchandise, beans and legumes, and a few nuts and seeds… we get ample protein.
There are occasions, nonetheless, when a higher-protein snack or meal is useful, similar to for vegan athletes and likewise for kids which may have meals sensitivities or some urge for food points.
Additionally, a very good snack bar is appreciated for on-the-go meals. I feel for this reason most of us select protein bars or snack bars: fast meals with some dietary increase.
Home made vegan protein bars aren’t a brand new factor. You’ll be able to google to search out many recipes. Nevertheless, nearly all use a vegan protein powder within the mix (I’ve used it myself prior to now). And it’s not simple to discover a vegan protein powder that (1) tastes nice and (2) doesn’t have pea protein.
So I carry that choice to you right now: selfmade vegan protein bars that style scrumptious, with out pea protein, and likewise low in sweeteners (made with a modest quantity of dates).
In these bars, I exploit peanut butter powder and pumpkin seed powder. You’ll be able to go for entire peanuts (or a nut) or pure pumpkin seeds (I like Wilderness Poets) and grind them right into a powder when you choose. Or, see the recipe notes for one more variation. Wilderness Poets makes use of top quality components, not like what number of producers are utilizing questionably sourced pea protein.
Vegan Protein Bars FAQ
Have a look at the components. Many protein bars embody whey (from dairy manufacturing), and may have quite a lot of sugars. Additionally, some have frequent allergens, so search for choices which might be appropriate for you. Home made protein bars are often more healthy, made with fewer components – and components you’ll be able to acknowledge.
In the event you want the comfort of a snack bar, once more discover some choices that provide much less processed components. Basically, it’s okay to eat a protein bar day by day if that works on your life-style. You’ll be able to actually eat these selfmade protein bars day by day if you need!
I like to recommend refrigerating these bars. And store-bought bars could profit from refrigeration throughout hotter months.
These bars could be frozen, and thaw nicely.
It’s not dangerous, I wish to be clear that I’m not demonizing pea protein. It may be an exquisite possibility for some that can’t eat soy, nuts, or different vegan meals. My downside with pea protein is how it’s being discreetly added to many merchandise like vegan milks, non-dairy yogurts, and extra simply to offer the dietary profile a lift. Producers are possible utilizing low high quality pea sources. Since peas are a legume, that is problematic (even harmful) for individuals with legume sensitivities. Lastly, I’ve realized that pea protein is rising as a number one meals allergen, most likely on account of this overexposure. So it’s worthwhile to learn labels.
I provide choices within the recipe notes for nut-free protein bars.
Many are, relying on the model. These selfmade vegan protein bars are gluten-free when utilizing licensed natural gluten-free oats.
For these bars, sure, a meals processor is required. It takes a couple of minutes for the combination to change into sticky and are available along with a meals processor. These bars can’t be made with out a processor. I’ve a 16-cup processor, and also you don’t want one that giant, however a ten or 12-cup processor might be wanted.
Benefit from the bars, please share your suggestions within the feedback, I like to listen to from you! x Dreena
No-Pea-Protein Protein Bars
After looking excessive and low for a considerable snack bar that didn’t have pea protein… I made a decision to make my very own. These are simple to make, and I provide nut-free modifications and likewise substitutions when you don’t wish to use the peanut butter and pumpkin powders.
Directions
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Put together a loaf pan with a strip of parchment paper. In a meals processor, add all components and pulse via till crumbly. Then proceed to course of till the combination turns into sticky and begins to type clumps on the blade. This may occasionally take a few minutes. It can seem as if nothing is going on, with the combination whirring round in crumbs, however quickly it’s going to begin to change into sticky. Cease the machine and take away the dough, inserting within the loaf pan. Use a spatula to press the combination into the loaf pan. Then, cowl with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or longer. After chilling, use a butter knife or spatula to start to launch the combination away from the perimeters of the loaf pan, after which use the parchment to raise the combination out. Lower into squares or bars, after which retailer within the fridge in an hermetic container. Makes 12-15 squares/bars.
Video
Notes
Nut-free Be aware: For a peanut-free model, substitute the peanut butter with cashew butter, and substitute the peanut butter powder with the pumpkin protein (thereby utilizing 1/2 cup whole of the pumpkin protein powder). For a completely nut-free model, use common tahini or black tahini (sesame seed paste), sunflower butter, or pumpkin seed butter to switch the nut butter. Since seed butters have a extra pure bitter style, you might wish to use one other few dates within the combination or add a contact extra vanilla.
PB Powder/Pumpkin Powder Be aware: In the event you don’t have, or don’t wish to use, the peanut and pumpkin protein powders, you’ll be able to omit and make these modifications: use 1/3 cup peanut butter or nut butter as a substitute of 1/4 cup; 1/3 cup cocoa powder as a substitute of 1/4; and enhance rolled oats by one other 1/2 cup (utilizing 1 cup whole).
Concept: In the event you choose, you’ll be able to roll the combination to type small balls, and optionally roll in a dusting of coconut sugar, cocoa powder, and/or nuts or pumpkin seeds.
Meals pictures by Angela MacNeil.
This publish was initially revealed August 2022 and has been up to date for April 2024.
