Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars (No-Bake, Freezer Friendly)

Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars (No-Bake, Freezer Friendly)

Disclosure: MUD\WTR kindly gifted me their Nourish Vanilla Protein Blend. All opinions are completely my own.

Overhead shot of finished vanilla tahini protein oat bars on a wire rack with a small ceramic dish of freeze-dried strawberries and a red-and-white linen towel.

When it comes to getting my protein I’d much rather eat it than drink it. So when the lovely people at MUD\WTR sent me their Nourish Vanilla Protein Blend to try, I knew it was going to go anywhere BUT a shaker bottle.

Overhead shot of a bag of MUD\WTR Nourish Vanilla Protein Blend on a marble surface.

Enter: these no-bake snack bars! They’re made from pantry staples and are substantial enough to take you from breakfast to lunch with no mid-morning crash.

And because I can’t resist toppings, these bars get a simple vanilla glaze and a sprinkle of crushed freeze-dried berries — soft and chewy, with just the right amount of crunch.

Close-up, overhead shot of a single finished vanilla tahini protein oat bar held in hand, highlighting chewy texture.

Let’s make them!

Ingredients for Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars

Bars:

  • 1 scoop MUD\WTR Nourish Vanilla Protein Blend
  • 1 1/2 cups quick oats
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup milk of choice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt

Topping:

  • Vanilla Glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar + 1 tablespoon milk + 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • Crushed Freeze-Dried Berries (strawberry or raspberry)

How to Make Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars (No-Bake)

1. Prep the Pan:
Line an 8×4″ loaf pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
Combine oats, protein powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl.

3. Whisk Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk tahini, maple syrup, almond milk, and vanilla till smooth.

4. Bring It Together:
Pour wet mix into dry. Stir until a sticky dough forms. It should hold when pressed. Add a splash more milk if crumbly.

Overhead collage of four images: small dish of vanilla protein powder about to go into a large glass bowl, powder mixed with oats, cinnamon, and salt, batter mixed together, and wet ingredients (tahini, milk, maple syrup, vanilla) in a medium bowl.

5. Press & Chill:
Press firmly into your prepared pan. Pop in the fridge for an hour (or freezer for 20–30 minutes).

Vanilla tahini protein oat bar mixture pressed evenly into a parchment-lined 8×4 loaf pan, ready to chill — no-bake protein bars in progress.

Once firm, lift from the pan, and slice into 8 bars. Chill while making the glaze.

Overhead view of cut vanilla tahini protein oat bars on parchment paper on a wooden board, showing texture and thickness.

6. Make the Glaze and Add the Toppings:

Whisk the glaze ingredients in a small bowl till thick yet pourable.

Overhead shot of a small glass bowl with vanilla glaze and a small metal whisk, ready for drizzling on oat bars.
Drizzle the bars, then chill again briefly before adding the berries.

Overhead view of cut and glazed vanilla tahini protein oat bars on a small wire rack over wax paper, showing the glaze set.

Overhead shot of finished vanilla tahini protein oat bars on a wire rack with a small ceramic dish of freeze-dried strawberries and a red-and-white linen towel.

Storage Tips

Store in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months. I like eating them slightly chilled.

Tips & Tricks

  • Choose hulled tahini for a smoother, milder taste. If you know me then you know I am a huge fan of this tahini!
  • Don’t skip the salt – it balances the sweetness and makes the vanilla pop.
  • If your mix seems too wet, add 1–2 tablespoons of oats and stir again.
  • Customize! Add mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, or toasted nuts into the base.

I seriously can’t wait for you to try these — especially with that drizzle and berry crunch. Thanks again to MUD\WTR for inspiring such a fun twist on my usual oatmeal snack bars!

Close-up overhead of a few finished vanilla tahini protein oat bar showing texture and berry topping.

Close-up overhead of a few finished vanilla tahini protein oat bar showing texture and berry topping.

Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars

sherisilver
Easy no-bake vanilla tahini protein oat bars with oats and tahini — a quick recipe for snacking or breakfast!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Servings 8
Calories 164 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the bars:

  • 1 scoop (43 grams) MUD/WTR Nourish Vanilla Protein Blend
  • 1 1/2 cups quick oats
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup milk, any kind
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the topping:

Instructions
 

Make the bars:

  • Line an 8" x 4" loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on all sides.
  • In a medium bowl combine the protein powder, oats, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl whisk together the tahini, maple syrup, milk and vanilla.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix to combine. Transfer to your prepared loaf pan and press in evenly. Freeze for 30 minutes.

Make the topping:

  • Pour the powdered sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of milk and the vanilla into a small bowl. Whisk, adding more milk a bit at a time if needed, till a thick yet pourable consistency is achieved.
  • Using the parchment sling to assist, transfer the bars to a cutting board and slice into 8 pieces. Drizzle with the glaze. Chill for 10 minutes to set slightly, then sprinkle with the crushed strawberries.
  • Store in the fridge up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 164kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 8mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 23IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg
Keywords gluten free, homemade energy bars, oat bars, protein, tahini bars, vegan
did you make this recipe?tag @sherisilver on instagram!

FAQ: Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars

Q: Can I use a different protein powder?
Absolutely! Choose a vanilla-flavored protein powder with a similar sweetness and texture. If your mix seems too dry or too sweet, adjust the milk or maple syrup slightly so the bars stay soft and chewy.

Not a tahini fan?
No problem. Swap it for almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option — all work beautifully in this no-bake bar recipe.

Q: Are these bars gluten-free?
They can be! Just make sure to use certified gluten-free oats to keep the recipe fully gluten-free.

Q: Can I make these sugar-free?
Yes. Use a sugar-free maple syrup and skip the glaze if you prefer less sweetness. You’ll still get deliciously chewy no-bake protein oat bars packed with flavor.

Q: Can I make these Vanilla Tahini Protein Oat Bars vegan?
Definitely. Use plant-based milk instead of dairy and maple syrup instead of honey. Check that your protein powder is vegan-friendly, and you’ll have soft, chewy vegan no-bake protein bars perfect for breakfast or snacking.

Let me know if you make these — and tag me in your pics!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. As a Rewards Style influencer I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases – at no additional cost to you.

Sheri Silver

About the author

Sheri Silver

Sheri Silver is a New York-based food photographer and recipe developer who has been cooking and baking for over 30 years. She works with brands, authors and restaurants to create recipes that are as beautiful as they are foolproof - and every recipe on this blog has been made, tweaked and eaten in her own kitchen.

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Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!