No-Bake Vanilla Birthday Cake Protein Bars (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
- Our Nourished Kitchen
- Jul 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
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You definitely don't have to add a candle to these gluten-free, dairy-free No-Bake Vanilla Birthday Cake Protein Bars (but it's so much more fun when you!).
These bars are sweet enough to eat for dessert but made with healthy, nourishing ingredients. These bars have my favorite home blended gluten-free oat and chia flour. I love blending my own oat and chia flour in our Vitamix 5200 Blender--it gets very finely milled which ensures a fluffy texture (not gritty or sandy). I also add peanut butter, a plant-based vanilla protein powder, and a bit of maple syrup (unrefined sugars for the win!) To make these extra festive, we included naturally dyed sprinkles inside the bars and as a topping.
These vanilla birthday cake protein bars are great for busy weekday mornings when you don't have time to make a big breakfast. My kids love to eat in the morning these alongside some fruit and yogurt. These bars are also great meal prep--they are so easy to pack for a work snack or school snack for the next day (just store them somewhere cool or with an ice pack-- the peanut butter could melt).
*A Note about Nut Alternatives: If these need to be peanut-free, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with almond butter. If these need to be nut-free, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter (I like the Once Again Organic Sunflower Butter) and use 1/2 cup coconut milk instead of a combination of 1/4 cup coconut and 1/4 cup almond.
A bit about plant-based protein powders
I have tried many different plant-based protein powders. Some can taste bland, or just not dissolve well. I tried Truvani's plant-based protein powders a few years ago and got hooked. I love that all the ingredients are organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They also don't add any sugars, just a tiny bit of monk fruit. Their flavors are also delicious! For this recipe I used my favorite staple, Truvani Organic Plant Based Vanilla Protein Powder. This vanilla flavored protein powder is great in these no-bake vanilla protein bars, but it is also so yummy in smoothies as well with some frozen fruit and almond milk It blends up well and tastes great!
Check out Shop My Kitchen Essentials for other great gluten-free cooking products and non-toxic kitchenware I use in my home.
Check out other great high-protein, gluten-free, dairy-free recipes to add to your weekly rotation:
Check out other great gluten-free, dairy-free recipes:
If you try this recipe, leave a comment below👇 and let me know how it turned out—I absolutely love hearing from you!
How to make these No-Bake Vanilla
Birthday Cake Protein Bars
Prep the Pan: Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to act as a "sling" for easy removal later.
8x8 square baking pan empty 8x8 square baking pan with parchment
Blend the Dry Base: Place your gluten-free oats and the 2 tablespoons of chia seeds into a high-speed blender (I use a Vitamix, which works great). Process on high until they form a completely fine, uniform powder.
oats and chia seeds in a blender oats and chia seeds blended up in a blender oat and chia flour in a bowl on a table
Combine the Ingredients either a Stand Mixer Method or by Hand:
Stand Mixer Method: Fit your mixer with the paddle attachment. Add the blended oat/chia flour, cinnamon, vanilla protein powder (I love Truvani's Vanilla Protein powder- not sponsored). Turn onto low speed for 30 to 45 seconds until it forms coarse, sandy crumbles.
By Hand Method: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat/chia flour, cinnamon, and vanilla protein powder.
Melt the Binders: In a medium microwave-safe container, combine the peanut butter and maple syrup. Microwave for 15–20 seconds just to soften and stir to combine.
peanut butter and maple syrup in a glass measuring cup melted peanut butter and maple syrup in a glass measuring cup
Hydrate to Form Dough: Drizzle in the unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract right into the center.
If using a mixer, keep it on low speed until the dough gathers together into a single, cohesive, soft ball that pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl.
If mixing by hand, use clean hands or a spatula to fold and squeeze the mixture. Add an extra tablespoon or two of milk only if needed until it forms a rich, pliable cookie dough texture.
almond milk, coconut milk, and vanilla in white bowls wet ingredients mixed with peanut butter mixture
Fold in Sprinkles: Add the 3 tablespoons of naturally dyed sprinkles. Pulse the mixer on low for 5–10 seconds, or use your hands to press and fold them into the dough until evenly distributed.
vanilla protein bar dough with sprinkles vanilla protein bar dough with sprinkles mixed in
Press and Pack: Transfer the dough into your lined pan. Using a spatula or your hand, press the dough down firmly and evenly into a tightly packed, flat layer. Pressing hard ensures clean slices later!
birthday cake protein bars dough in a pan pressing out the birthday cake protein bars dough in a pan pressed birthday cake protein bars dough in a pan
Toppings: If using toppings, brush with 1 tsp almond milk then scatter extra 1 tbsp of naturally sprinkles . Press them down firmly so they bond with the top of the bars (I like to use a piece of parchment to press down the sprinkles since it doesn't stick at all).
pressed birthday cake protein bars dough in a pan with almond milk and a brush brushing on almond milk on birthday cake protein bar dough brushing more almond milk on birthday cake protein bar dough sprinkles on top of birthday cake protein bar dough pressing sprinkles on top of birthday cake protein bar dough sprinkles on top of birthday cake protein bar dough
Chill to Set: Pop the tray into the fridge for 60 minutes. They will firm up and be solid enough to make clean cuts. Cut into your desired size.
birthday cake protein bar dough cut into squares a close up shot of birthday cake protein bar dough cut into squares
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