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Vegan Savory Power Bars {oil-free, GF}

Easy vegan savory power bars are oil-free, gluten-free & delicious! Each bar has 9 grams protein, 141 calories, & 3 grams fiber.

diy vegan savory power bars on a black metal cooling rack

I love to make homemade power bars. They are so much better than store-bought options–better quality ingredients, frugal, no wasteful packaging–and are perfect for quick, nutritious snacks and mini-meals any time of day.

But as much as I enjoy my naturally sweet creations, I’ve long wanted to create a savory power bar, one completely absent of sweet ingredients that is every bit as portable and variable as homemade granola bars, larabars, and clif bars.

I know I am not alone on this subject. I have received countless requests for just such a bar for years from fellow fitness enthusiasts, backpackers, and snackers, but it took me forever to figure out a feasible, delicious, convenient and affordable way to do it.

Until now.

I am so excited about these bars! They are delicious, a cinch to prepare, frugal, gluten-free, vegan, and perfectly portable for every kind of venture.

Recipe Benefits

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
  • Oil-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Easy to make
  • Versatile (many of the ingredients can be swapped for what you have on hand)
  • High in plant protein
  • High in fiber
  • Portable

Ingredients for DIY Vegan Savory Power Bars

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

glass bowls and jars filled with the ingredients for savory vegan protein bars
  • Unflavored vegan (plant-based) protein powder
  • Rolled oats (certified gluten-free, as needed), ground into a flour
  • Non-dairy milk (I used almond milk, but use what you prefer)
  • Cooked Quinoa (or use cooked millet, amaranth, or brown rice)
  • Toasted and salted Nuts ( I used pistachios and almond, but use what you prefer)
  • Chia seeds (you can use any seeds
  • Salt (as desired)
  • Optional seasonings (I like to use a bit of garlic powder or onion powder and black pepper_

I recommend toasting or using roasted, nuts or seeds for at least some of your add-ins. The toasting/roasting adds so much flavor to the bars.

How to Make Vegan Savory Power Bars

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

Have I mentioned recently how much I love easy? I. Love. Easy. And that is exactly what these bars are, because we have things to do and places to go (which is why we need these bars ?).

Here is the gist of the recipe:

  • Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl
  • Add the nondairy milk, stirring to combine.
  • Spread and press the dough in an 8-inch (20 cm) pan.
  • Bake in a 350F (180C) oven for 25 to 28 minutes.
  • Cool and cut into bars. Done!
diy vegan savory power bars on a black metal cooling rack

Storage for the Bars

Store the bars in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 months. Yu can also individully wrap the bars for storage. The bars will keep during the day, unrefrigerated.

Do I Have to Use Protein Powder in the Recipe?

I use 1/2 cup of protein powder in these bars, but if you want to make an even higher protein bar, simply omit the 1/2 cup oats and add another 1/2 cup of protein powder.

Conversely, if you do not have pea protein, you can still make these bars simply by increasing the total amount of oats to 1 cup (or total oat flour to 2/3 cup).

The possibilities for variations with these bars is vast. For example, add different spices or herbs, and use any combination of nuts and seeds that you like. The possibilities are vast!

In the meantime, get busy baking! I know that you are going to love these bars as much as I do!

Related Recipes

diy vegan savory power bars on a black metal cooling rack

Vegan Savory Power Bars (oil-free, gluten-free)

Yield: 8 bars
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 24 minutes
Total Time: 29 minutes

Easy Vegan Savory Power Bars are oil-free, gluten-free & delicious! Each bar has 9 rams protein, 141 calories, & 3 grams fiber.

Ingredients

  • 1 and 1/2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) rolled oats, ground into flour (or 1/3 cup oat flour)
  • 1/2 cup unflavored vegan protein powder
  • 1/2 cup roasted, salted nuts, chopped (I used almonds & pistachios)
  • 1/3 cup seeds (I used chia; see notes for options)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup (237 mL) non-dairy milk (e.g., almond, cashew, hemp)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line an 8-inch (20cm) square pan with foil or parchment. Spray or grease the exposed sides to prevent sticking.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, ground oats, protein powder, nuts, seeds, salt, garlic powder, and pepper until combined.
  3. Add the milk to the bowl, stirring until combined. The dough should be thick, but not dry. If dry, add a little bit more milk (or plain water).
  4. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 28 minutes until the light golden brown and the surface appears dry and set.
  6. Transfer to a wire rack adn cool completley. Use the foil or parchment liner to lift and transfer the bars to a cutting board. Cut into 10 bars.

Notes

Storage: Store the bars in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week or the freezer for up to 6 months. Yu can also individully wrap the bars for storage. The bars will keep during the day, unrefrigerated.

Seed & nut options: Feel free to use any seeds or nuts that you prefer! You can use pepitas (green pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds (I recommend using toasted and salted for deeper savory flavor). You can also use flax seeds or sheeled hem seeds (hemp hearts). As for the nuts, use any nuts you prefer or have on hand, in any combination.

Protein powder substitutions: If you do not like using protein powder, you can replace it in several ways. First up, use an extra 1/3 cup of oat flour (made from 1/2 cup of rolled oats) You could also use finely ground nuts or seeds. If you are not vegan and/or do eat dairy, you can use plain whey protein powder.

Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 141Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 1mgSodium 122mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 3gSugar 2gProtein 9g

The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although powerhungry.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands and optional ingredients can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

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Lorraine

Wednesday 17th of January 2024

Where has thd colour come from in the pictures as there is no coloured ingredients?

Camilla

Thursday 18th of January 2024

Hi Lorraine! Those are the pistachios and almonds I used in the batch photographed. The Almonds looked slightly orange - ish based on the toasting (baking) and the lighting

Mickie

Saturday 10th of June 2023

I want to make soft (not crunchy) savory protein bars for an older friend who has a hard time chewing. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks:)

Camilla

Tuesday 13th of June 2023

Hi Mickie,

These should be fine for your friend--they are not hard/crunchy. I suggest chopping any added nuts or seed fine, or leaving them out, as those would be the only hard parts.

Ella

Friday 6th of May 2022

This is a brilliant recipe, Camilla! I have been making these for a few years, they are so good.? Also, I sent you a private message because there is another recipe on another site that is pretty much a copycat of yours. Thought you should know ?

Camilla

Sunday 8th of May 2022

Thank you so much, Ella!!! I will check my messages, thank you :)

Maribee

Wednesday 2nd of March 2022

Following on from last review, I added about 3oz mature cheddar (can't afford to cook with Vegan cheese although I love it) another good half teaspoon of black pepper, tablespoon and a half of coconut oil. ( I already added twice the amount of milk the first time round) and 2-3 tablespns of fresh rosemary. They are slightly less crumbly but they are still hot and I can't stop eating them - delicious! Thank you Camilla, sorry about the truthful review. I am going to try some more of your recipes, they look good, and I wont write essays about them xx

Elena

Saturday 17th of July 2021

The recipe I’ve been looking for, these are GREAT!

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