Five Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars – fresh with flavors of peanut butter and jelly, if you have five minutes you can make these bars!
I have never been a fan of peanut butter and jelly. Ever. Even as a kid – as a sandwich, I preferred grilled cheese, then later bagels and cream cheese. Just never enjoyed peanut butter and jelly together, sandwich or otherwise.
When one of the nurses tasted these last week, she said “oooh, peanut butter and jelly!”
Hmm.
Yep.
Pretty much.
and I cannot. put. them. down. They are crunchy, chewy, fluffy. Tangy from the cherries and warmly sweet from the vanilla, five minutes active time at most, and a couple hour wait while they set in the fridge. I usually make these later in the evening, and they are ready for us to enjoy with our coffee the next morning! Super quick and easy.
I am loving these bars, so I suppose that thing about taste preferences changing is true? Well, yes I know it is true, but I have a few lifetime flavor aversions I never expected to enjoy.
Next thing you know I’ll enjoy cilantro?
Five Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars
YIELD: 7 bars or 21 balls
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder (Vega Protein + Greens)
3/4 cup crunchy nut butter (I used almond for the bars, cashew for the balls)
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/3 cup maple syrup
4- 5 tablespoons water
INSTRUCTIONS:
Line an 8×4 loaf pan with parchment.
In large mixing bowl, combine chopped cherries and protein powder – toss to coat cherries completely. Add nut butter, oats, and maple syrup – stir until combined completely. Add water as needed if crumbly.
Using hands, press into loaf pan*. Cover and transfer to refrigerator to set, a few hours to overnight.
Remove by lifting parchment out of pan, set onto cutting board. Slice into bars.
*Alternatively, roll into one inch size balls:
So, should I try a pb & j sandwich now?
oh and that cilantro thing? not a chance.
printable Five Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars recipe:
- ½ cup dried cherries, chopped
- ½ cup + 1 tablespoon vegan vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup crunchy nut butter (I used almond for the bars, cashew for the balls)
- ½ cup quick cooking oats
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 4- 5 tablespoons water
- Line an 8x4 loaf pan with parchment.
- In large mixing bowl, combine chopped cherries and protein powder - toss to coat cherries completely. Add nut butter, oats, and maple syrup - stir until combined completely. Add water as needed if crumbly.
- Using hands, press into loaf pan*. Cover and transfer to refrigerator to set, a few hours to overnight.
- Remove by lifting parchment out of pan, set onto cutting board. Slice into bars.
- *Alternatively, roll into one inch size balls:
Karen Wood says
Cherry-vanilla a favorite flavor. Cilantro, -not.
Kristina Sloggett says
ha! exactly, Karen – cilantro is a big ol’ NOPE.
Erin says
Ha!! We have been making PB&J smoothies lately … maybe start with one of those before you jump right into a sandwich. 😉 These look like they would be a HUGE hit with my girls. I’ve thought about buying the Vega protein powder … this is tempting me to do so.
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
Mmmm, I love cherry and vanilla together – the protein part is just a bonus 🙂
Bianca Phillips says
Never liked pb & j?!! That’s always been my fave! These bars sound amazing, esp with all that Vega protein powder. I should make these for a pre- or post-workout snack!
Citra Kale @Citra's Home Diary says
YUM! it looks easy to make and perfect recipe.. thx for sharing
Kristen says
What a great flavor combo! Anything that resembles a PB&J intrigues me!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Oh you have me intrigued now because they look dense (not a bad thing) but you say they are fluffy. I do like pg&j, so I must try these. I’ll have to try your protein powder, because I don’t like the stuff my teenage son likes. It is too chalky. And I adore cilantro. You must work on that one…you’re missing out!
Kristina Sloggett says
ha – they are kind of dense, Dorothy, but also fluffy in the way that they are soft? see in the middle photo, kinda fluffy?
and I’ll just have to trust you on that cilantro thing – not sure if that will change! 🙂
Janalyn says
Okay, time to try Vega Protein powder, these look amazing!!
Robin says
Yum, thank you for the recipe! I love nut butters, but not nuts (strange, I know), so this is perfect!
Heather McClees says
This is a great recipe, and I love that it uses Vega. I’m obsessed with their Vega One flavors, and it’s the only plant-based meal replacement powder I never go a day without. Great flavor combination in this recipe !:)