Healthy High Protein Lemon Bars as a Nutritious Snack

Protein lemon bars are the perfect healthy snack for busy afternoons! These are my latest obsession since they’re not only nutritious but full of flavor too.

I always found that good snacks are hard to find. The ones that taste good seem to always leave me feeling sluggish after a while. If I do find something that’s nutritious, they end up tasting awful.

These homemade lemon protein bars are the exception. It’s the best lemon protein bar recipe you’ll find.

They’re packed full of healthy ingredients and they taste amazing. I’ve also added in protein powder for an energy boost.

If you’ve never added protein powder to your snacks, it’s something you’ll want to try. It’s a growing trend for a very good reason. It’s a great way to pack protein into your meals and snacks and comes with a variety of benefits.

Adding a healthy protein powder to recipes gives an added energy boost, aids in appetite, and even helps with overall muscle growth when you work out.

Most store-bought lemon protein bars include a lot of refined sugars or artificial sweeteners, so I opted for coconut sugar and maple syrup as natural sweeteners instead. You could also take it a step further and skip sugar altogether. These are a great alternative to Pure Protein or Atkins lemon bars.

A lot of recipes for high-protein lemon bars will include protein powder but then still use unhealthy ingredients and sugars. I made sure that my lemon protein bars recipe was well-rounded so you can indulge guilt-free.

You’re sure to want to make this recipe again and again.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients Needed For Protein Lemon Bars

Ingredients needed for the crust:

• 1 ¼ cup almonds
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp coconut sugar (optional)

Ingredients needed for the filling:

• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 1 ¼ cup whole cashews
• 1 ½ tbsp cornstarch
• zest of half lemon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 5 tbsp maple syrup
• 2-3 tbsp protein powder (optional)

Step-by-Step Preparation With Pictures

1. Start by boiling a pot of water and then pour it over the cashews. Let them sit to presoak in a medium bowl for at least 1-2 hours. Alternatively, you can soak the cashews overnight for a fluffier texture.

2. Next, preheat the oven to 350º F and grease a square baking dish. Set aside.

3. Grind all the almonds in a food processor. Then, add the rolled oats and grind them into fine crumbs as shown.

4. Next, add the salt, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Mix well.

5. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of your glass pan into an even layer. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.

6. Rinse the pre-soaked cashews and add to the food processor along with the remaining filling ingredients. Save some zest for garnishing.

7. Mix well.

8. Add the filling on top of the crust into an even layer.

9. And bake for 20 minutes.

10. Top with the saved lemon zest, cut into squares, and enjoy!

Nutritional Breakdown

These lemon protein bars are a great way to get in your daily value of various nutrients. Here’s a quick nutritional breakdown of the recipe:

• High in protein: Each of the nuts and protein powder gives this recipe a significant source of protein.

• Full of vitamins and minerals: These healthy lemon bars are full of minerals and vitamins like magnesium, zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Vitamin A.

• Healthy fat content: While traditional bars are high in saturated fat, this recipe uses coconut oil and nuts to provide a very healthy fat content.

• Great source of fiber: The use of oats provides dietary fiber in this recipe.

• Low in sugar: The use of coconut sugar and maple syrup is a much better alternative to using refined sugars like in traditional lemon bars. You can skip sugar altogether for even healthier alternative.

• Low in calories: Since this recipe doesn’t use refined sugars and butter, it’s generally a much lower-calorie snack than traditional lemon bars.

Variation Ideas

If you’re looking for a different way to enjoy these high-protein lemon bars next time, here are a few ideas:

• Make it keto-friendly: Try different sweeteners such as maltitol syrup or monk fruit to make it completely keto.
• Make it vegan: Use a rice protein powder variation to make this a vegan recipe.
  Experiment with protein powders: Bring out the flavors with vanilla or lemon-flavored protein powders. Add some additional flavor by trying a strawberry or berry-flavored protein powder.
• Try strawberry: Swap out the lemon juice for pureed strawberries for a strawberry shortcake variation.
• Thicken the texture: Enjoy thicker bars by adding tapioca starch or refrigerating these bars before baking.
• Swap out the cashews: If you’re not a fan of cashews, you can also use almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour instead.
• Add coconut: Try making some lemon coconut protein bars by adding a little bit of shredded coconut to this recipe.

Serving Suggestions

• Make them for on-the-go: Wrap these individually in parchment paper to quickly toss in your bag for a healthy on-the-go snack option.
• Serve with your favorite drink: These pair well with options like iced tea, lemonade, or even your morning coffee.
• Pair with your favorite snack: These go great with fresh fruit, low-fat yogurt, or granola. You can even pair it with cheese for a savory-sweet pairing.

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 5-7 days.
• Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments wrapped in a paper towel to enjoy warm. You can also enjoy these straight out of the fridge for a cold treat.
• Freeze on a baking sheet for a couple of hours before cutting into individual squares. Wrap individually and store in a freezer-friendly bag or container. They will last about 3-4 months in the freezer.

One Last Thing

I know you’re going to love these high protein lemon bars! They will quickly become one of your go-to snacks throughout the week as they’re such a great recipe for a homemade snack.

I’m so glad I finally found a healthy snack that gives me an energy boost while still tasting so good. If you’re not a fan of fresh lemon juice, you can also try adding other fruits instead.

Either way, I know you’re going to love them. Simple ingredients, a protein blend, and natural sweeteners are the perfect combination for a healthy snack that doubles as an energy bar.

These are a delicious way to boost afternoon energy, enjoy a guilt-free treat after a long day, or as a post-workout snack. No matter your situation, I know this will be a healthy snack you’ll keep returning to with its bright lemon flavor.

If you’re searching for more healthy treats, be sure to check out these pumpkin banana oat muffins, this high-protein frozen yogurt, and this healthy yogurt parfait recipe.

They all make great snacks for your week!

Your Turn

If you make these delicious protein lemon bars, please take a moment to let me know how you liked them by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card.

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