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Chia Seed Protein Bars

September 21, 2013 22 Comments

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These Chia Seed Protein Bars are made from real, whole ingredients: nuts, dried fruit and coconut oil. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and have no added sugar!

Chia Seed Protein Bars | www.littlechefbigappetite.com 4

I’ve been on a real Chia Seed kick for the last year. I put these little guys in everything – yogurt, overnight oats, and now I make protein bars with them, too!

If you have never had chia seeds, or you’ve seen them in the store and are hesitant to try them, here are a few things that may sway you:

– They are a great source of healthy fats, fiber and protein. Just one tablespoon has 70 calories, 3 grams of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, 6 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein

– Chia seeds have no taste. That is why they are easy to add to anything.

– The seeds expand when they touch liquid, so many people use them as a thickening agent to make healthy puddings and smoothies. (Warning: getting a chia seed stuck in your teeth is worse than getting a poppy seed stuck. As I said, it expands…so I just hope you have a hand mirror or an honest friend nearby…)

Chia Seed Protein Bars | www.littlechefbigappetite.com 2

For all of those reasons, chia seeds are a great addition to these bars. They blend right in with the nuts and dried fruit, and add a good dose of fats, protein, and fiber.

With no added sugars, these chia bars are super healthy and very easy to make. Everything goes in the food processor and the bars are set in the freezer – no baking required!

Chia Seed Protein Bars | www.littlechefbigappetite.com 3

Tip: The first time I made these, I rolled out the mixture, froze it, and then tried cutting the bars. It was a bad move. The bars ended up crumbling so much that 1/3 of the mixture went to waste. My advice is to definitely cut, then freeze.

Wrap these bars up individually for the perfect grab-and-go healthy snack.

Print
Chia Seed Protein Bars
Prep Time
20 mins
Freezer Time
30 mins
 

These Chia Seed Protein Bars are made from real, whole ingredients: nuts, dried fruit and coconut oil. They're vegan, gluten-free, and have no added sugar!

Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: almonds, Chia Seeds, dates, Pistachios, protein powder
Author: Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup almonds unsalted
  • 1/4 cup pistachios, unsalted, shells removed
  • 1/4 cup pitted dates
  • 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1 scoop protein powder (unflavored or vanilla)
  • 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
  1. Grind the almonds and pistachios in the food processor until they become like coarse sand (not too fine), about 30-40 seconds. Then add the dates and the raisins and grind again for another 30 seconds. Next, add the protein powder, chia seeds, applesauce and coconut oil. Grind for an additional 30 seconds until the mixture is well combined and moist and slightly sticky (If the mixture is not moist enough add about 1/2 Tablespoon more of coconut oil and mix again).

  2. Remove the mixture onto a large cutting board. Place a large piece of wax or parchment paper over the mixture, and using a rolling pin, roll the mixture into an even thickness. Cut into 6-8 bars and leave on the cutting board. Place the board in the freezer for 30 minutes.

  3.  Remove from the freezer and wrap individually in saran wrap. To ensure shape and freshness store the bars in the fridge for one week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. I prefer mine straight from the freezer.

Filed Under: Gluten-Free, Snacks, Vegan Tagged With: Chia Seeds, Nuts, protein powder

Previous Post: « Gluten-Free Buckwheat Banana Pancakes
Next Post: The Best Protein Pancakes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Meredith

    September 21, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    These look sweet and delicious!! Creative. Definitely going to try this one!

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      September 22, 2013 at 9:58 pm

      Thanks, Mer! You will love them. Grain free and coconut oil 🙂

      Reply
      • Anabel

        January 6, 2015 at 4:49 pm

        Hi Rachel! This is exactely what I’ve been looking for! It sounds delicious. Do you happen to know the nutrition facts? calorie per bar, protein, fiber, sugar…?

        Thx
        ~Anabel

        Reply
        • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

          January 6, 2015 at 5:00 pm

          Hi Anabel, I am glad these bars look good to you! I haven’t calculated the nutrition information, but I would recommend using http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ as brands of ingredients will vary in nutrition information. It also depends on what size you cut the bars. I will say that they are VERY nutritious – lots of protein, fiber and healthy fats 🙂 Let me know how you like them!

          Reply
  2. Daphne Raj

    December 3, 2013 at 1:15 am

    you mean shelled pistachios right? As in shells removed?

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      December 3, 2013 at 9:42 am

      Hi Daphne, yes sorry for any confusion. I just updated the ingredients list. Shells removed!

      Reply
  3. Kat

    February 9, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    Do you not need to soak the chia seeds before using them?

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      February 10, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      Kat, no need to soak them! Just use them right out of the package.

      Reply
  4. Cassie

    May 20, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    Any ideas for them being tree but free? I can’t do almonds or coconut. Or whey or soy. I was thinking peanut butter, cashews and dates. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      May 20, 2014 at 8:22 pm

      Cassie, I think that combo would work – peanuts just have a stronger taste than almonds (and that is not a bad thing!). You can sub the coconut oil for any other oil and feel free to add in additional dried fruit for more flavor. Let me know how they turn out!

      Reply
  5. Meg

    September 1, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    I just made these and they are so good! I thought eating right out of freezer would be weird but it’s refreshing. I baked half the batch and cut into bars for a different texture too and they still tasted great. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      September 2, 2014 at 7:51 am

      That is so great, Meg! I am thrilled you love them as much as I do!

      Reply
  6. Jennifer

    September 22, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    I don’t have a food processor but I have a Ninja Blender do you think that would work?

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      September 23, 2014 at 7:25 am

      I think you should give it a try! As long as it can chop the nuts, you should be fine.

      Reply
  7. DJ

    September 30, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    I tried making them last night…and they turned out delicious!!! I also added organic peanut butter powder and made them into little balls. Love ’em!

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      September 30, 2016 at 4:48 pm

      Oh that sounds like an awesome idea! I’ll have to try that!

      Reply
  8. Meghan

    April 7, 2019 at 9:17 pm

    Can you suggest an alternative for dates?? ( I DESPISE DATES!!)

    Reply
    • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

      April 8, 2019 at 4:42 am

      Do you like figs? That could work – although I haven’t tried the recipe that way so I can’t promise!

      Reply
      • Meghan

        April 8, 2019 at 3:38 pm

        I absolutely LOVE Figs! This is a great suggestion, thank you!!

        Reply
        • Rachel (littlechefbigappetite)

          April 10, 2019 at 5:22 pm

          Of course! Let me know how it turns out!

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Chia Seeds & some of the best Proven Benefits says:
    August 30, 2021 at 10:18 am

    […] water. This dosage can be divided for two times. Also, it can be added in the puddings, smoothies, protien bars, salad dressings and baked items. By taking chia seeds in puddings and smoothies can be another […]

    Reply

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