These homemade protein bars require just 4 ingredients and are made like the favorite Whole30 approved RXBAR using egg white protein, almonds, cashews and dates. Quick and easy, paleo and vegetarian!
This post is sponsored by my partnership with NOW Foods. All opinions expressed (as always) are my own. Thank you for helping support the brands I trust and have the pleasure of working with, making Fit Mitten Kitchen possible!
As much as I am trying to fill myself up during meals on this Whole30 journey, I sometimes fall short and just really need a snack. I’m big on snacks (as you may know with the many snacks I love to post…) and pretty much carry them with me wherever I go–I’ve even been known to pull out a baggie of mini muffins while watching MSU football at a bar… But during the first week of my Whole30 I have realized how much I depend on them. I’m making a conscious effort to drink more water during and in between meals to make sure that dehydration doesn’t trick me. But when your stomach is actually hungry (not just bored) it’s time to eat a little something to hold you over until your next meal.
There are few store-bought protein/snack bars that I like, but RXBAR is definitely one of them–mostly due to their ingredients list (simple and no added sugars), which also makes them Whole30 approved. And as much as I love RXBARS, they’re kind of pricey! Usually around $2.30 per bar–depending on where you shop, if you’re just buying by the bar, or if you happen to come across a good sale.
When I noticed that NOW Foods carried pure egg white protein I immediately thought of RXBARS and that I NEEDED to create a DIY version.
what you need
almonds
cashews
medjool dates
The bars themselves take very little time. And because I was curious to see the price comparison, I even broke it down for you for the dollar amount used in each ingredient:
1 cup almonds – $5.24
1 cup cashews – $5.44
egg white protein – $2.96
medjool dates – $6.84
TOTAL COST PER BAR – $1.70
*this is a rough estimate and definitely depends on if you can purchase your nuts and dates in bulk. So if you can have the ability to do that, the price per bar will come out even lower.
On average, you’re saving roughly .50/bar, again depending on various factors. Not to mention saving on packaging/waste 🙂 The savings may or may not be a huge deal to you, but if you’re interested in making more snacks at home to reduce waste, these homemade protein bars may be a good option for you!
Also, sometimes RXBARS can be pretty hard… So if the harder texture of those bars isn’t your favorite, these homemade protein bars are soft and chewy 🙂
I’ve even been enjoying them as a breakfast with my collagen coffee. The combination of the fats, carbs and protein holds me over for hours.
4-Ingredient Homemade Protein Bars [ Whole30 ]
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Yield: 12
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cuppure egg white protein
- 18 large medjool dates, pitted (10 ounces)
- 2-4 TBS water
- optional flavor add-ins:
- 1 TBS cinnamon
- 1 cube fresh ginger (or 1 tsp ground)
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper, set aside.
- In the bowl of your food processor, process almonds, cashews, and egg white protein until nuts have broken down into small pieces. If using additional flavors (I used cinnamon and ginger here) add them with the first step.
- Add in pitted dates and process until combined–the mixture will look a little dry. With the motor running about 1 tablespoon of water at a time until mixture is sticky and everything comes together. Depending on if your dates were juicy or dry, you may need less or more water.
- Once mixtures has come together and is sticky, transfer to lined 8×8 pan. Use slightly wet hands to press evenly into pan. I use his fun little pastry roller to make it extra flat.
- Place pan in fridge for 1 hour, or freezer for 30 minutes before cutting into bars. Use large sharp knife and cutting board, cutting bars into 12 or 16 squares. Enjoy!
Notes
Bars can be enjoyed at room temperature but keep best in fridge. Store bars in covered container, with parchment paper in between layers. Bars should last about 2 weeks, or freezer about 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12
- Calories: 216
- Sugar: 22
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 9
SOME OF THE PRODUCTS I USED IN TODAY’S RECIPE
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I am definitely trying to reduce my waste this year when it comes to packaged snacks so this is perfect! And I loooove RX bars so I am pretty sure these would be amazing!!
Yes these homemade ones are a great alternative! I am about ready to make my second batch 😀
This is awesomeeeee! I literally spent $50 on booch and RX Bars last week, no lie. I do buy my almonds in bulk from Amazon so this is totally economical for me to do. Plus just got that food processor – yeeeah buddy,
Awesome recipe Ashley!! 🙂 RXBars are my jam but sometimes the price of them isn’t…this also might be a dumb question, but could I substitute a plant-based protein powder for the egg white one?
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You’re a genius. I also have definitely still needed snacks on Whole30, but I’m much more choosy about what I eat and also more careful to think about whether I’m just bored or thirsty or something. Whole30 or not, these are an excellent idea! 🙂
Yes same! I am trying to snack more mindfully. But I know enough about my body when I am hungry or just need water. I’ve been drinking much more lemon water this month though so that is a plus.
these look awesome Ashley! I love so much how simple they are to make, and don’t need to break the bank either. That egg white protein sounds bad ass, i’ve actually never heard of such a thing!
Yeah the things our food industry comes up with is crazy, but super cool. Especially if you can save some $$ by DIY
I’m so intrigued with egg white protein powder! I have to try that! Love that these are made with only 4 ingredients and are whole30 approved too, thank you for sharing 🙂
Yeah it’s a great option to add to bars! 🙂
Is there any substitute for egg white protein powder that would give a similar outcome? Also, can you purchase egg white protiein powder at most grocery stores? Thanks 🙂
So I’ve used collagen protein before in a similar recipe but I can’t vouch for other protein powders really. I think a plant protein would be your best option. If it ends up being dry, just add 1 TBS of water at a time 🙂
As far as where to purchase egg white protein, I typically buy most of my protein powders on Amazon, so off the top of my head I am not sure what stores exactly would carry this protein. I feel like most health stores would carry it, and I *think* I saw this egg white protein at Fresh Thyme. Hope that helps!
@Abrielle – Trader Joe’s has egg white protein now! Life Balance Pure Egg White protein. I’m not sure how much it is but I’m pretty sure it’s not too expensive
Yay that’s awesome! Thanks so much for letting us know Mackenzie 🙂
What could I use instead of egg white powder? I don’t live somewhere I can get that easily…
You can likely use a whey protein powder, or even a plant-based powder. I would just add a little bit at a time and make sure the consistency is still sticky/moist so you can form bars. I don’t know an exact ratio because I haven’t tried that way myself. I hope that helps a little!
I tried this but mine turned out very sticky and even stuck to the parchment paper. They are not hardening at all. Maybe I added too much water. Any ideas? The taste is amazing though. I just need to work on the consistency.
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Hey Brandon! Thanks so much for your comment 🙂 I think it could have been the water as well, possibly over-processing a tad. I would add a little less water next time and watch closely in between pulsing for a less sticky consistency. Hope that helps!
Hey Ashley,
Can’t wait to try your recipe.. quick question… do you know why these only last a couple weeks when the RXBARs last 9 months? Just curious as to the difference since everything is the same.
Thanks!
Hi Lauren! I like to just be cautious with homemade recipes since all of the ingredients are fresh and processed by hand. The homemade bars could last longer, but I probably wouldn’t go past a month myself. They can also be stored in the freezer too for longer periods of time. Just make sure they’re wrapped really tightly and sealed in an air tight container so they don’t get freezer burn. Hope that helps!
Hi Ashley,
I am wondering Can we use pure egg white instead of egg white protein powder to do the protein bar?
Hi there Sarah – I haven’t tried that myself ever so I am afraid I can’t give you a solid answer. I don’t think you’d be able to get the same amount of protein either by using egg whites vs the powder, and the liquid ratio would be thrown off, so you’d probably have to add another dry ingredient like coconut flour to help balance it out.
Thank you for posting this. I made these last night and they turned out great. I brought them into my gym this morning and everyone loved them (we are all RX Bar lovers there). I did have to add about 4 TBSP of water because it was pretty dry from the cacao. I think next time I will leave the optional ingredients out and see how it is without the cacao and maybe add some different things.
Also I wanted to say thank you for posting what you post. I love your thoughts about balance and enjoying life without letting food control you. I follow you on Instagram and you saying things like eat a bagel if you want a bagel really hit home. I love to bake and sometimes not the healthy stuff so I love that you also agree to make a batch of cookies done the “real” way and enjoy them without feeling guilty. Keep doing what you do, I really appreciate the content of your posts.
Hi Colleen! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and let me know that you and the gym loved the bars! The egg white protein powder tends to make them a little dry–adding 4TBS of water seems about right to help them come together.
And thank you so much for your kind words regarding my content. I truly do believe it is the best to practice balance and moderation. I have never had a healthier relationship with food because of that mindset. It feels really good to let go of all of those “rules” and I can only hope that by sharing, I am helping others along the way! Thank you again! It really means so much.
Oh my I just made these with organic chocolate plant protein, dark chocolate cocoa powder, cinnamon, with a little sea salt on top and they’re DELICIOUS! I can’t wait to experiment with other flavor combinations
Awesome, Joey! Thanks so much for sharing your creation 🙂 Glad you loved them!
These sound amazing. I am looking for nutritional content, particularly the amount of protein and number of calories per bar. Thanks for your help.
Hi Lori, nutrition calculated for 1/12 is approximately: Calories: 216 Fat: 9 Carbohydrates: 28 Sugar: 22 Protein: 9.
Hope that helps!
Hi Ashley! First of all, I love the recipe, its great to cut down on the packaging and fun to do a homemade version. However, I used sweetened egg protein powder and am finding the bars SO sweet. Any ideas for some extra filler to counteract the sweet? Thanks!
Hi Hannah, I can see how they would be too sweet using the sweetened egg white protein (I’ll update to make a note to use unsweetened). I’m wondering if maybe dusting them with cocoa powder or cinnamon could help a little bit? It’s hard when the sweetness is already packed in there!
I want to use real egg whites. How do I adjust for that?
Because I haven’t tested that myself unfortunately I cannot give you a confident answer. There really wouldn’t be a way to sub liquid egg white for the powdered and get the same protein amount, without changing the ratio of the other ingredients. Egg white protein powder is really the only way to go here