Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods. Thanks for supporting brands that align with my values and help make TFD possible. I was compensated for my time but as always, all opinions are my own!

The perfect homemade protein bar for on-the-go! A nutrition-packed snack, dark chocolate matcha hemp protein bars are made with real ingredients and loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and protein.

The perfect homemade protein bar for on-the-go! A nutrition-packed snack, dark chocolate matcha hemp protein bars are made with real ingredients and loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and protein. | @TheFoodieDietitian

Bars are a hot topic right now with some recent press questioning what constitutes a “healthy” bar. I’ll be addressing this in my monthly newsletter next week so be sure to subscribe if you don’t already (scroll all the way down to the footer).

Bottom line, a bar is healthy if it includes whole foods and words you can pronounce (like the bar I created for you today)! But be careful of relying on bars all the time. With the supplement-heavy world we live in with shakes, bars, meal replacements, juices, etc., I worry that we’re moving away from eating real food. And there’s no comparison when it comes to the real deal.

Having said that, protein bars can be a great on-the-go snack when you’ve got a busy day ahead and are running from place to place and need something that’s easy to transport. If I’m working from a coffee shop in the afternoon, I’ll often throw a bar in my purse so I don’t have to purchase some sort of coffee shop pastry to satisfy my mid-afternoon hunger. And it’s even better when it’s a homemade protein bar.

Chocolate Matcha Hemp Protein Bars | @TheFoodieDietitian

So what’s the key to creating a real homemade protein bar at home? My protein bar equation is: nut butter + seeds + dried fruit + protein powder (optional) + flavor boost (optional). Is it wrong that I always love adding dark chocolate as a flavor boost for my bars? It provides a flavor boost AND an antioxidant boost! Win. Win. For this bar, I also added matcha green tea powder for an antioxidant boost and because I’ve been on this kick playing around with matcha in the kitchen. Because matcha is sooooo hot right now ;). I’ll save the matcha talk for an upcoming blog post with another matcha recipe I recently made.

For now, let’s talk about hemp seeds which made their way into this protein bar. Hemp seeds are an excellent source of protein, containing more protein than any other seed (about 10g per ounce). Plus, they’re a complete protein, meaning they contain all 9 essential amino acids, making them a great protein source for vegetarians and vegans. And they’re high in essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), magnesium, vitamin E, and fiber. You can use these seeds in just about everything – salads, cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, ice cream, smoothies, or you can eat ’em right outta da bag. Don’t worry, it’s totally legit.

Dark Chocolate Matcha Hemp Protein Bars | @TheFoodieDietitian

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Dark Chocolate Matcha Hemp Protein Bars


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  • Yield: 12 bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cup rolled oats (or 1 cup oat flour)
  • 2/3 cup unsalted creamy almond butter
  • 6 pitted Medjool dates
  • ½ cup Chocolate Hemp Pro70
  • 2 tbsp Hemp Hearts
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp matcha green tea powder, divided
  • 2 ½ tbsp coconut oil, divided, melted
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond or soy milk
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • ¼ cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, pulse oats to fine, flour-like texture. Add almond butter, dates, Hemp Pro70, Hemp Hearts, 1 tbsp matcha powder, 2 tbsp coconut oil (melted), almond milk and salt. Pulse to combine.
  2. Transfer mixture to a parchment lined 9×9’’ baking pan and press down the mixture evenly into the pan. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes to harden.
  3. Meanwhile, heat chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Remove bars from the freezer and cut into 12 servings. Sprinkle 1 tsp matcha powder over top and drizzle with melted chocolate.
  4. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

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Have you ever tried hemp seeds? If not, you’re in luck! Manitoba Harvest is giving away one 8oz bag of Natural Hemp Hearts to one lucky TFD reader! The contest will run one week through April 30th and I’ll announce the winner shortly after that. Enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

You May Also

For more no-bake snacks, check out some of these recipes that are great for on-the-go snacks:

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Hemp Bites

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Hemp Bites

Almond Butter and Jelly Energy Bites

Almond Butter and Jelly Energy Bites

No Bake Almond Joy Bars

No Bake Almond Joy Bars

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43 Comments

  1. Hemp seeds and matcha?? I am in!

  2. I love hemp protein and I love making my own bars 🙂 These look perfect!!

  3. AngelaCW

    I made these tonight and they are SO, SO good! The only problem was they were too crumbly any tips on something to hold them together? I added a little more almond butter but, still crumbly…

  4. Cory

    I made these yesterday and am taking them to my gym today to share with my workout buddies. They came out a little dry and powdery. I followed the instructions, have you had this problem before and how can I enhance this great recipe??

  5. Kristina L

    I love hemp seeds because they are very nutritious and so easy to add to a variety of foods!

  6. Jennifer Nielsen

    I have heard that there are great health benefits from hemp, I have never tried, but I would like to.

  7. Jennifer Nielsen

    I followed you on Pinterest – Pinterest.com/mapamod

  8. Robyn Bellefleur

    I love them for the health benefits.

  9. Melissa Mazzur

    I would love to try because I am starting a clean living journey!

  10. Antonia

    I LOVE hemp hearts! I tried them for the first time a couple months ago and I just love the nutty taste!

  11. With all the health benefits, hemp sounds like a superfood I’ve got to try! And these bars look delicious!

  12. sarah

    i’ve heard its such a good fat for you!

  13. Korey K

    I found your site through the magic of Pinterest – following you now to stay up to date on all you do! (koreyLK)

  14. jacquie

    i would love to try hemp hearts as i’m a vegetarian who is who is always on the look out for good plant based complete proteins.

  15. These are lovely, and include two things I sadly have yet to try: matcha and hemp hearts! Bookmarking for later — thanks, Kara!

  16. I followed on Instagram! Love Matcha and Hemp, great combination!

  17. Angie Jerde

    I think it’s important to to have a healthy balance of exercise and good eating habits! Thanks for the giveaway…I love this product!

  18. Yum!! I have a big bag of these in my pantry — I’ll have to try this recipe!

  19. I love matcha anything and haven’t baked or cooked with it for a while… just pinned these to make soon. Hemp holds over my hunger like no other protein source!!

  20. These look beautiful and delicious. You’ve done it again Foodie Dietitian!