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Salted Caramel Cashew Protein bars

These Salted Caramel Cashew Protein Bars are a homemade RX Bar-inspired snack made with Medjool dates, roasted cashews, cashew butter, and protein powder. Soft, chewy, naturally sweetened, and packed with approximately 10-11 grams of protein per bar, they're perfect for meal prep, healthy snacking, and busy mornings.
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Course: Breakfast, Dessert, meal prep, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast bars, caramel cashew bars, cashew date protein bars, date protein bars, easy no bake protein bars, healthy protein bars, homemade protein bars, no bake protein bars, protein bars, refined sugar free protein bars, snack bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 Bars

Ingredients 

Ingredients

  • 8 oz soft Medjool dates pitted
  • 1 cup roasted cashews
  • 3 tablespoons creamy cashew butter
  • ¼ cup dry milk powder
  • ¼ cup unflavored protein powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salted caramel syrup if you have it, otherwise omit
  • ¾ teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or extract (optional)
  • 1 –3 tablespoons water as needed

Optional Finishing Touches

  • Extra flaky sea salt
  • Finely chopped toasted cashews

Instructions

  • Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper.
  • If your dates feel dry or firm, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes first, then drain well.
  • Add the roasted cashews to the food process and pulse a few times to break them down.
  • Then add the dates, cashew butter, dry milk powder, protein powder, cinnamon, salted caramel syrup, vanilla, sea salt, and maple syrup to a food processor.
  • Process until the mixture becomes thick and sticky and easily holds together when pinched between your fingers.
  • If the mixture seems too dry or crumbly, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the texture comes together.
  • For a deeper toasted flavor, pulse only part of the cashews fully smooth and leave a few small chunks for texture. (I usually reserve a few roasted cashew pieces and press them in on the top.)
  • Firmly press the mixture into the prepared pan using the back of a measuring cup or spatula.
  • Sprinkle lightly with flaky sea salt and chopped toasted cashews if desired.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 20 minutes until firm.
  • Slice into 8 bars and enjoy.