Cardamom Rose Chai Protein Bars
No-bake protein bars packed with a homemade chai spice blend and dried rose petals. Ready in 10 minutes and perfect for meal prep.
Ingredients
For the bar base
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla whey protein powder 60g
- 1/2 cup cashew butter creamy and runny
- 1/4 cup dried rose petals food-grade culinary grade
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon milk dairy or non-dairy
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of salt
Chai spice blend
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves powder
Instructions
Prep
- Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix
- Add oats, protein powder, cashew butter, dried rose petals, milk, honey, salt, and the full chai spice blend to a large bowl.
- Stir until everything is combined. The batter should be sticky and hold together when pressed. If crumbly, add milk one teaspoon at a time. If too wet, add a tablespoon more oats.
Chill and cut
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using the back of a spatula or the flat of your palm (dampened slightly so nothing sticks).
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Lift the parchment out of the pan and cut into 8 equal bars with a sharp knife using one clean press per cut.
Notes
- Plant-based protein: use about 50g and increase milk by 2-3 tablespoons. Bars will be slightly denser.
- Nut-free: substitute cashew butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- Vegan: use plant-based protein powder and replace honey with maple syrup.
- Gluten-free: use certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid cross-contamination.
- Spice blend tip: mix a bigger batch and store in a small jar. Great stirred into oatmeal or warm milk.
- Storage: refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in the fridge.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!