Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars with 5 Simple Ingredients

Five Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars — bright, peanut-butter-and-jelly-like flavors made in minutes. If you have five minutes of prep time, you can make these bars.

 

I never loved classic peanut butter and jelly as a child — I usually chose grilled cheese or a bagel with cream cheese instead. That’s why it surprised me when someone tasted these bars and immediately described them as “peanut butter and jelly.”

They are irresistible. Crunchy, chewy, and even a little fluffy, with the bright tang of cherries balanced by warm vanilla. Active prep takes about five minutes; then the mixture chills in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until firm. I often make them at night so they’re ready the next morning alongside coffee.

These bars are quick, simple, and naturally satisfying. They’ve even softened a few of my long-held flavor aversions — though cilantro is still off the table.

Five Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars

YIELD: 7 bars or 21 balls

Dairy, egg, soy and gluten free — vegan

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup dried cherries, chopped
• ½ cup + 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder (vegan)
• ¾ cup crunchy nut butter (almond for bars, cashew for balls)
• ½ cup quick-cooking oats
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• 4–5 tablespoons water, as needed

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Line an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, toss the chopped dried cherries with the vanilla protein powder until the cherries are well coated. Add the nut butter, oats, and maple syrup, stirring until everything is evenly combined. If the mixture seems too dry or crumbly, add water a tablespoon at a time until it holds together.
3. Using clean hands, press the mixture firmly into the prepared loaf pan. Cover and transfer to the refrigerator to set for a few hours or overnight.
4. Lift the set mixture from the pan using the parchment, place on a cutting board, and slice into seven bars. Alternatively, roll the mixture into one-inch balls for bite-sized energy bites (yields about 21 balls).

These bars store well in the refrigerator for several days and make a convenient grab-and-go snack or post-workout bite. The combination of dried cherries and vanilla gives a pleasant tart-sweet contrast, while the nut butter and protein powder supply filling texture and protein.

So, should I try a PB&J sandwich now? Maybe. Cilantro, though — still a hard pass.

 

Printable Five Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Energy Bars recipe:

Yield: 7 bars or 21 balls

5 Ingredient Cherry Vanilla Protein Bars