I need snacks. I can’t physically make it from breakfast to lunch without one. Maybe that means I’m eating the wrong thing for breakfast, or maybe it’s just my body, but I have to eat every 3-4 hours otherwise I feel queasy and shaky.
So I’ve been buying bars. Energy bars in every size and shape and flavor. Some are better than others, but they all have one thing in common: they are expensive. And often full of sugar and other shtuff that I don’t necessarily want to be eating.
The RX bars are some of my favorites, namely the chocolate sea salt flavor. I figured, since the recipe is written right there on the package, why not try a homemade version?
These are the result.
They’re not identical to the original, I find the flavor much nuttier with a slightly grittier texture not unlike almond butter. So I won’t call them a copycat recipe, but rather ‘inspired by’ the RX brand. The ingredients are the same, the nutrition is pretty darn similar (according to my calculations these might actually have a bit more protein per bar, 14 grams worth) but I assume because of the limits of home equipment, I’m not able to get the same smooth, dense consistency as the commercial ones.
You’ll find these bars much softer, which I like (since they won’t rip out your husband’s temporary fillings… oops). But the softer texture does mean they need to be refrigerated, which means they are better for at-home snacking and not the kind of the you want to pack in your purse for a long, hot day outside.
I found a food processor worked best here, first grinding the nuts to almost the consistency of almond butter, then adding the dates (my attempts to do this in a blender were less than successful, it’s simply too thick).
I added cocoa powder for flavor and topped the bars with a sprinkle of sea salt and some cocoa nibs for crunch. I also think shredded coconut would be a nice addition, or maybe some dried fruit or dark chocolate chunks.
While not vegan, these bars are paleo and gluten, dairy, and refined sugar free (all the sugar and sweetness here comes from the dates).
I used egg white protein powder (actual egg whites would add too much liquid and result in a too-soft consistency). I like the Trader Joe’s brand, but any unflavored egg white protein powder should work here. I can’t say what would happen if you used another type of protein powder; I feel the egg white protein gives the bars much of their structure and substance, without it the bars might not hold their shape.
(If you’re at Trader Joe’s anyway picking up protein powder, be sure you check out their pitted Deglet Noor dates in the nut/dried fruit section. They are seriously the best value for the money and a huge time-saver being that they are already pitted.)
Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars
Using the same simple ingredient list as your favorite brand, these homemade energy bars are paleo, gluten free, and refined sugar free (all the sweetness comes from the dates!)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole almonds, plus more for topping if desired
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup (6 ounces) pitted dates
- 3/4 cup egg white protein powder
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2-4 tablespoons water, as needed
- cacao nibs, for topping
- flake sea salt, for topping
Directions:
- Combine almonds and cashews in a food processor. Process on high until nuts are finely ground and begin to turn into butter, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add dates, a few at a time, and process until well incorporated, then add egg white powder, cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of water and process until mixture forms a crumbly dough. You should be able to pinch some of the mixture between your fingers and have it hold its shape. If it is still crunbly, add another tablespoon or two of water (this will depend mainly on how dry/soft your dates are).
- Pour into an 8-by-8-inch baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Press firmly (use a tart tamper if you have one, or the base of a sturdy glass or flat-bottomed measuring cup) to press into an even layer in the bottom of the pan. The more you can compact the mixture the more sturdy they will be.
- Sprinkle with chopped almonds, cacao nibs, and sea salt; press toppings into dough.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm. Remove bars from pan and cut into 8 bars. Wrap individually in waxed paper and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month (in an airtight bag).
Did you make this recipe?
Let us know what you think!
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Looks so yummy! My DD has just found out she is allergic to eggs … we could try DUCK egg whites, if they are available, but wondering if there could be another substitution in order to omit the eggs altogether?? Do you have any ideas? Thank you.
The egg white powder is pretty unique to this recipe, unfortunately, it helps hold the mixture together and add protein without extra moisture. Other kinds of protein powder won’t have the same ‘binding’ characteristics and wouldn’t have the same texture.
When using the powder egg whites do you add water to the powder or just put in the egg white powdery as is?
Just the powder as is! The moisture comes from the other ingredients to bring it all together.
I dont have the egg white protien powder? Do I need it or will I need to order some.
Hi!My name is Mary Liz Oliva:) I’m deathly allergic to cashews. So thoughtI sub almonds. Can we use 1 cup of almond butter instead of the, recipe amount for almonds and cashews???? Then follow the rest of the recipe according to your guidelines?
Using almond butter vs whole nuts will give you a much softer consistency. You may need to add some almond flour or more protein powder to make up for the stickiness.
Can i use roasted unsalted cashews?
Definitely!
I love the RXBars, I had the same thought given the cost for a 4 bar box…got the ingredients and found your recipe. Thanks for posting!
How many servings do you estimate this recipe makes? (For tracking nutrient/calorie purposes) I didn’t see it in the recipe, though I could have missed it
Of course, now I see it. 🤦🏼♂️
I cut mine into 8 bars, but you could divide it however you choose. :)
Hi! Can’t wait to try this. Can you possibly provide a picture of the protein powder you used? I can’t seem to find it. Thanks!
I used Trader Joe’s brand, not sure if they carry it anymore or not. This one looks like a similar product: https://amzn.to/2U1QLzY
Oh my gosh these are sooo good. I ground a few dark chocolate chips with the nuts and I could have eaten the pan!
If you bake them would it remove the moisture and give you something more stable?
I’m not sure what would happen if you baked these. Dehydrating them might achieve the desired effect though?
Super excited to make these. My question is, what is the difference between egg white protein powder and dried egg whites? Can I use dried egg whites?
Pretty sure they are the same thing! At least, there are no other ingredients in the protein powder that I used.
I just made these yesterday, they are so good! RX bars are the only ones so far that don’t bother my stomach, these are as good if not better tasting than the RX bars. I am glad I found this recipe! Thank you!!
We tried the recipe and the bars are delicious!!! Thanks for this!
These look so awesome! Any chance you have a calorie count per bar?
Thank you!!
Wow, these are so delicious!!!!
The RX bars are some of my favorites too!
I get the queasy and shaky too, though i seem to be able to go slightly longer the older i get, as a kid i had to be fed every four hours (or asleep) or i would throw up stomach acid. Protein and complex carbs help a lot, i think maybe our blood sugar drops too much. I carry nuts or other long lasting foods in my purse for emergency snacks
I can’t make it without snacks either, and being pregnant has made it so much worse! I have to have snacks all the time to not be hangry. I LOVE protein bars but I can’t buy them a lot because my husband eats the whole box in a day, and you’re right; they’re expensive. I’m not a fan of refined sugars and the nice protein bars cost more :/ I usually have whey protein powder on hand so it’ll be interesting to see how these turn out. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Lindsay! Your Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars look and sound fantastic! I love that they are paleo, gluten-free and – most importantly – naturally sweetened! I find packaged bars have SO much processed sugar in them, I feel like sometimes I am better off just eating a candy bar, lol! Great work!! :)
Hi Lindsay! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I’m wondering if you have tried this with another type of protein powder? If not, do you think it would work with whey protein?
I have not, no. As I mentioned above, I do think the egg white specifically helps contribute to the structure/consistency of the bars. Without it I’m not sure they’d hold together quite as well? Do let me know if you try it though!
Sorry I missed that! Thanks for replying :)
I actually made this recipe using pea powder protein.
We love the taste of the bars! As I was making the recipe, I must confess, I thought I wouldn’t be trying it again because it was so thick and gooey that I thought I would ruin my vitamix! So the end result tasted and looked fabulous! I will be trying to figure out how else I can process it differently though. I also rubbed some almond flour on the bottom side and then added more sliced almonds on the top to make them less sticky. Worked Great!
I’m at TJ’s about….oh 5 to 7 times a week. Whoops. But I have never seen those dates! Going to check those out.
The bars look great and that sea salt on top…that is just the best I bet!
Sea salt is EVERYTHING! :)
I’m allergic to tree nuts (but peanuts and seeds are fine) any suggestion to adjust the recipe? Thanks they look great!!
I haven’t tried it personally, but since you are essentially making homemade nut butters as the first step (almond + cashew) I would think it’d work with peanuts and maybe sunflower butter? Give it a try… I’m sure it’ll taste great even if the texture isn’t quite right.
Very in need of good snacks over here, too, although I have a much harder time between lunch and dinner than between breakfast and lunch. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Love the photos and the way you wrapped the bars.
I think these bars could be perfect anytime of day. I used waxed paper + washi tape for the wrapping. Cute and efficient. :)