No-bake vanilla coconut protein bars made with sunflower seeds instead of nuts. 6 bars with about 12 g protein each – great for travel, hikes or pre-workout.
These vanilla coconut protein bars are made with sunflower seeds instead of nuts and need no baking. Just mix sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, syrup and WAM Protein Pure Vanilla, press it into a tray and chill. The recipe makes 6 bars with around 12 g of protein each.
I whipped these up as a travel snack, since airports are notoriously bad when it comes to vegan food options. If you don’t have sunflower seeds, cashews give a similar flavour – but then the bars are no longer nut-free.
Why you’ll love these bars
- Made without nuts: sunflower seeds give a creamy, nutty flavour.
- No baking: mix, press, chill, slice.
- Around 12 g protein per bar.
- Travel-proof: they hold together well in a lunch box or backpack.
Thanks to the syrup, these bars are quite sweet and higher in sugar – which is exactly what makes them a great pre-workout, hiking or travel snack when you need quick energy.
Ingredients (6 thin bars)
- 140 g sunflower seeds.
- 40 g shredded coconut.
- 55 g WAM Protein Pure Vanilla.
- 80 g syrup (for example agave, date or maple syrup).
- 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- 1 pinch of salt.
Method
- Mix: stir all ingredients together until a crumbly, sticky mass forms. You don’t need any extra liquid.
- Press: line a small tray or container with baking paper and press the mixture down as firmly as you can. The firmer you press, the better the bars hold together.
- Chill: let it firm up in the fridge for 1–2 hours.
- Slice into 6 thin bars. Store in the fridge or wrap individually for travel.
Allergy note: these bars are made without nuts, but if you have a nut allergy, please check the labels of all ingredients, as traces can’t always be ruled out.
More coconut protein snacks: coconut protein bars with yoghurt and vanilla coconut bliss balls.
Why WAM Pure Vanilla works here
WAM Protein Pure Vanilla adds a smooth vanilla flavour and binds the dry ingredients without making the bars chalky. It pairs naturally with coconut and lets the toasty flavour of the sunflower seeds come through.
FAQ
How do I make protein bars without nuts?
Seeds are the easiest swap: sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds give a similar texture and richness to nuts. Combined with protein powder and a sticky syrup, they hold together well without baking.
How long do no-bake protein bars keep?
In the fridge, they keep for about a week in an airtight container. For travel, they’re fine at room temperature for a day.
Can I use less syrup?
You can reduce it slightly, but the syrup is what binds the bars. With much less, they will crumble.
The takeaway
Good snacks make travel days a lot easier. These bars are simple, sturdy and ready when you need them – at the airport, on the trail or before training.
If you give this a try, we’d love to see it! Tag us @wam.fit on Instagram so we can share your creations.
