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Carrot Cake Oat Protein Bars

Print Recipe
A stack of finished Carrot Cake Oat Protein Bars
Whip up these protein-packed Carrot Cake Oat Bars—easy, delicious, and meal prep-friendly for a perfect grab-and-go snack or breakfast!
Yield 12 Bars
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 C Old-fashioned Rolled Oats
  • ½ C Collagen Powder
  • ½ C Chopped Walnuts
  • 1 Tbsp Ground Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Kosher Salt
  • ¼ C Coconut Oil melted
  • ½ C Applesauce
  • ½ C Egg Whites
  • 2-4 Tbsp Maple Syrup adjust for sweetness
  • 1 C Carrot fresh grated

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9×13" baking dish with parchment paper.
  • 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, collagen powder, protein powder, walnuts, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to mix evenly.
  • 3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, applesauce, egg whites, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
  • 4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until fully combined.
  • 5. Fold in the grated carrot, making sure it’s evenly distributed.
  • 6. Assemble & Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and press it down evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set and lightly golden.
  • 7. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes.
  • 8. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and let them cool completely before slicing into 9-12 bars.
  • 9. Serve & Enjoy: Sprinkle with flaky salt before serving, if desired.
  • 10. Store individual bars in an airtight container or individually wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Notes

  • Oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture; quick oats also work but make the bars a little softer.
  • Protein Powder: Unflavored protein powder works best for this recipe (for a more neutral taste). If you prefer vanilla protein powder, it may add a touch of sweetness so you may need to increase the maple syrup. For a dairy-free option, try a beef protein isolate or your favorite plant based protein powder, just know it may change the flavor.
  • Collagen Protein: Grassfed collagen protein is a great way to add protein to these bars without changing the flavor. You can substitute more protein powder if you don’t have collagen but it will decrease the amount of protein per serving.
  • Walnuts: Add crunch and healthy fats, but can be swapped for pecans or subbed for pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
  • Carrots: Freshly grated works best; pre-shredded carrots tend to be too dry.
  • Coconut Oil: Unrefined coconut oil works best for this recipe.