These No-Bake Key Lime Protein Bars are zesty, flavourful and so easy to make! No oven is required, so they’re the perfect refreshing and healthy treat to snack on all year round, even in those warmer temperatures! {Paleo, no sugar-added, gluten-free, & vegan}
Several years ago, I made some Key Lime Energy Balls for an event that I had at work and they’ve stuck with me ever since. Nothing beats that refreshing burst of lime flavour. I remember my husband commenting on how much he enjoyed them too, so I thought it might be nice to whip them up again.
The only problem is, with our busy little guy, it’s hard to find time to get ANYTHING done, so I knew that rolling up a bunch of balls probably wasn’t going to happen.
So instead, I decided to make them into bars with a little fancy twist.
No-Bake Key Lime Protein Bars. Topped with a nice layer of coconut and crunchy pieces of cashews.
Sounds pretty tasty, right?
I’m always looking for a quick and easy snack that I can take with me on the go for after the gym, and these bars DEFINITELY hit the spot.
Plus, there are so many benefits to these bars!
Table of Contents
Benefits of these No-Bake Key Lime Protein Bars
Just in case you need some further convincing that these bars are AWESOME, let’s talk about some of the reasons why you should totally add these bars to your snack lineup.
- Easy – they require only six simple ingredients and can be whipped together in less than 15 minutes
- No-bake – perfect for those warmer temperatures since NO oven is required!
- No added sugar – you know how much I love my no sugar-added treats! The dates naturally sweeten these bars so NO additional sugar is required!
- Full of fibre, magnesium, protein and healthy fats, it’s hard to find a store-bought bar that rivals the nutrient content in these bars!
- Freezer-friendly – make up a batch of bars and freeze in a large ziploc bag or wrap individually for a quick grab and go snack.
- Perfect for pre or post workout. These bars have carbohydrates to fuel your body and replenish those energy stores post workout and protein to build up that muscle.
- Portable – perfectly portioned so they’re easy to grab for an on the go snack.
- Super delicious- with their refreshing zesty lime flavour, these may just become your new favourite snack!
Told ya these are bars with benefits ;)
How to Make No-Bake Key Lime Protein Bars
These bars are a cinch to prepare. My favourite type of recipe!
First you’ll want to soak those dates for at least 20 minutes. This will soften them up so they’re easy to blend with the other ingredients.
Meanwhile in a food processor, blend cashews until finely chopped.
Add the softened dates and lime zest and juice. Process until mixture is combined at and sticks together.
Next, add two scoops of desired protein powder. I used an unflavoured vegan protein powder, but you can also use a whey protein powder or experiment with another kind as well. You can go unflavoured or vanilla flavoured — totally up to you!
Because they are naturally sweetened with the dates, I opted to go with the unflavoured since the bars don’t require the additional sweetness (plus, I was looking to use my protein powder up)!
Blend until combined with date mixture. You may need to add a little bit of water to the mixture depending on the protein powder that you use. The consistency should be slightly sticky without it being overly wet and gooey.
Using the back of a spoon or spatula, press mixture into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper. This will make it super easy to remove from the pan.
Top with a sprinkle of unsweetened coconut and chopped cashews for a nice coating that lends a crunch and nutty flavour.
Can you freeze these bars?
Yes! That’s what makes them so handy and convenient.
Simply prepare the mixture according to the directions. Freeze in the pan to help it harden up a bit.
Remove the mixture from the freezer. Cut into eight equal-sized bars and store in an air-tight container separated by parchment paper or package up individually in Saran Wrap or snack-sized ziploc bags in the freezer.
Snacks for the week?
Check!
How do you defrost the bars?
To defrost, you can leave the bars at room temperature or in the fridge for about 20 minutes or so.
They thaw our pretty quickly and even taste great slightly frozen if you’re looking for a cool refreshing treat.
At the end of the day, these bars are so convenient to have on hand and taste SO much better than store-bought!
And with their nutritional value, they’re pretty tough to beat!
More healthy bars
- Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Healthy Oatmeal Bars
- Chocolate Chip Larabar Recipe {4-ingredients}
- Lemon Larabar Recipe
- Healthy Granola Bar Recipe
- Sweet Potato Bars
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a rating and review!
Key Lime Protein Bars {No Bake}
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pitted dates soaked
- 1 cup raw unsalted cashews
- Juice of one lime
- Zest of two limes
- 2 scoops of unflavoured or vanilla protein powder can use vegan, if desired
Topping:
- 3 tbsp. unsweetened coconut
- 2 tbsp. chopped unsalted cashews
Instructions
- Soak dates for at least 20 minutes to soften.
- Blend cashews in food processor until crumbly but not completely smooth.
- Add the lime juice, zest and soaked dates. Process until combined and mixture sticks together.
- Next, add protein powder. Blend until mixture comes together and is mostly smooth. You may need to add a bit of water if the mixture seems too dry. It should be slightly sticky but not too wet.
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Press the mixture evenly into the pan using your fingers or a wet spatula (to prevent sticking).
- Top with a sprinkle of unsweetened coconut and finely chopped cashews. Press into the mixture gently so that the coconut and cashews adhere to the surface.
- Place in the freezer for at least a half an hour and cut into 8 bars.
Nutrition
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Jo says
Hi, how can i make this into diabetic friendly version?
Elysia Cartlidge says
The carbohydrates and sugar content are primarily coming from the dates, so it would be difficult to come up with a suitable substitute since the dates are what’s binding the ingredients all together. You could consume a smaller portion (i.e. half the bar) and serve it with an additional source of protein, like a hard-boiled egg or small handful of nuts, to help slow the rise in your blood sugar level. Hope that helps!