Gluten Free Protein Oat Bars

If you’re looking for an easy and healthy snack, then look no further than these Gluten Free Protein Oat Bars. Made from real ingredients and whole proteins, these gluten free oat bars are far cleaner than anything you’d find in the store.

Snacks are my love language and I always have something in my purse for emergencies, but a lot of pre-packaged snacks and bars are filled with fake sugars, weird flavors, and gut-disrupting ingredients like seed oils. Having an easy, healthy, and high protein snack on hand for that afternoon slump is a must. That’s where these gluten free protein oat bars come in!

These gluten free oat bars are easy to whip up, made from real, whole food ingredients, and will last you the week. Filled with healthy ingredients, they are also dairy free, refined sugar free, and allergy friendly. Drizzled with dark chocolate for antioxidants and flavor, everyone will enjoy these oat bars. They are also a great option for kids lunches and snacks and make the perfect lunch box addition.

Gluten Free Protein Oat Bar Ingredients

• Gluten free oats: to keep this recipe gluten free, make sure to use certified gluten free oats.
• Butter: dairy free or regular works in this recipe.
• Maple syrup: a refined sugar free sweetener.
• Egg whites: to boost protein content!
• Vanilla extract
• Pea protein (use code LEMONSNLYME20 for 20% off): this is my favorite protein as it’s gut friendly and vegan. It also helps hold the bars together.
• Cinnamon: for flavor
• Chocolate Chips: this is for topping the bars. I stick to dark chocolate for the antioxidants, but feel free to use semi-sweet if desired. I love the HU Kitchen brand for a refined sugar free option. Enjoy Life also makes a great allergy friendly option.
• Coconut oil: for melting the chocolate and keeping it smooth.

How to Make Gluten Free Oat Bars

Making gluten free oat bars will be one of the easiest things you do this year. All you do is whisk together the wet ingredients, mix in the dry, and bake!

You’ll spread the mixture into a lined baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes. Once cooled, cut the bars and drizzle with chocolate.

Substitutions and Variations

Butter: although I have not tested it, coconut oil should work in this recipe, just make sure all other ingredients are at room temperature. I think olive oil has potential to work too, but I have not tried it.

Protein: I love using pea protein because it acts like a flour and helps with binding the ingredients together. I’m not sure if a non-vegan protein would work as they tend to dissolve. Another vegan protein should work though. If you don’t have or want to use protein powder, you can just use 2 Tbsp of gluten free flour or finely ground seeds (like chia and hemp) to keep the protein content up.

Add-ins/toppings: Make these bars your own by mixing in mini-chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts/seeds or another fav add-in. If you use fresh fruit, this will affect the texture and possibly the cooking time as there will be more liquid in the recipe. Feel free to use white, dark, or milk chocolate for the topping as desired.

Storage

You can keep these gluten free protein oat bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

Store individually sliced and wrapped oat bars in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge or at room temperature and enjoy immediately.

Are Oats Gluten Free?

Oats are naturally gluten free, but are often contaminated with gluten and wheat during the growing, harvesting, and processing experience. This is why it is important to buy oats that are labeled as certified gluten free if you have Celiac disease or a gluten allergy.