10 High Protein Vegan Snacks Perfect for a Busy Lifestyle

Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Nicole

Whether it’s for health benefits, moral reasons, or sustainability, more and more people are eating a vegan diet, which means including high protein vegan snacks in their diets. While there are many potential health benefits to eating a plant-based diet, it can be difficult to find high protein vegan snacks that are plant-based and contain the necessary amount of grams of protein.

The vegan diet includes only plant foods and excludes all animal products, which limits many sources of complete proteins and some healthy snack foods.

If you follow a vegan diet, you may have difficulty getting enough grams of protein in your diet. Keep reading to learn why the grams of protein you consume is so important and find out just how much you need. Then, try these 10 high protein vegan snacks that are perfect for adding a little extra protein to your plant-based diet, even with a busy lifestyle.

High Protein Vegan Snacks: Salty and Sweet Options

Why Is Protein Important?

Protein is a super important macronutrient in a balanced, healthy diet. More active people need more protein than those who are not. Protein builds and repairs tissues (like muscles) and plays an important role in metabolism. Including protein with meals and snacks increases satisfaction and keeps you feeling full for longer.

How Much Protein Do You Need?

Protein needs are different for everyone. The average woman needs a minimum of 0.8 – 1.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Women who have fitness goals, are more active, or are actively trying to lose body fat need closer to 1.0 – 1.3 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. It all depends on their activity level.

There are many sources of protein, both animal and plant-based, but some are complete and some are incomplete sources of protein.

All animal proteins are complete proteins, meaning they contain all the essential amino acids. People following a Lacto-Ovo vegetarian diet can consume all of the essential amino acids from milk and eggs. If you’re completely vegan though, you may need to put in a little more thought and planning to get all the nutrients you need from plant-based foods.

Most plant-based proteins are incomplete. Consuming a variety of different plant-based foods, and combining them strategically, can help you get enough protein and all of the essential amino acids. Eating high protein vegan snacks between meals can help you achieve this by providing a convenient and nutritious way to boost your protein intake throughout the day.

You can also supplement your protein intake with a plant-based vegan protein powder. Use plant protein or high-protein milk, like soy milk, to make fruit and vegetable smoothies.

10 Delicious High Protein Vegan Snacks:

While it’s easier to get in protein at meals, sometimes it can be more difficult to come up with high protein vegan snacks. That’s why we’ve put together a list of protein-packed vegan quick snacks made with nutritious ingredients that provide numerous health benefits. Try adding these snacks to your daily diet to help you reach your health goals.

Sweet Vegan Snacks

Almond Butter Energy Balls

These high-protein almond butter energy balls are packed with healthy ingredients and tons of nutrients. The flaxseed, hemp, and chia seeds add grams of fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids support heart health, while fiber promotes healthy digestion, increases fullness, and supports healthy cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.

This recipe fits a vegan diet when you use date syrup (or coconut oil syrup), a plant-based protein powder, and dairy-free dark chocolate chips (vegan chocolate chips). Also, if you are not a fan of peanut butter you can replace it with almond butter for an extra twist of flavor in your high protein vegan snacks.

We recommend making these ahead of time at the start of the week. Store them in the fridge for a quick, easy-to-grab midday convenient snack, providing you with a delicious and nutritious option for satisfying your hunger.

Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates

Using a plant-based protein powder can give you that added boost of protein you need, like in this recipe for high-protein peanut butter stuffed dates. These sweet snacks taste just like a candy bar, for my sweet tooth out there, but they’re made with natural and healthy ingredients like Medjool dates and peanut butter.

The addition of the plant-based pea protein is what makes this snack so filling and such a great source of protein. Without the protein powder, peanut butter stuffed dates wouldn’t be a very good vegan protein source.

High Protein Vegan Bowl of Oatmeal

Oatmeal is often thought of as a breakfast food, but it can also make a great snack, too. Oatmeal is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. On its own, it doesn’t have much protein. So how do you take regular oatmeal and transform it into a high protein vegan snack?

Add in high-protein plant-based milk (like soy, or hemp milk), some plant-based yogurt (soy/nut milk yogurt), and nuts, seeds, or nut butter. This high-protein vegan oatmeal bowl makes a delicious afternoon snack made with simple natural ingredients.

No Bake Vegan Protein Bar

Buying protein bars can get a little pricey if you’re snacking on them all the time. Plus, they’re also made with a long list of ingredients and added sugars in their nutritional profile. Making your own no-bake vegan bars can save you money, plus you’ll know exactly what’s in them. These homemade, no-bake vegan protein bars are made with simple ingredients and are super easy to make. We recommend batch-preparing them and storing extras in the freezer for convenient access to high protein vegan snacks.

Chocolate-berry vegan protein shake

This protein powder-free vegan protein shake is loaded with protein from chia, flax, and hemp seeds. Adding nut butter and frozen bananas makes it so creamy, and one smoothie has a protein content of 20 grams! We love fruit smoothies because they’re portable and great for the go and also work as post-workout snacks.

Savory

Salt & chili edamame beans

Edamame beans, also known as soybeans, are a plant-based excellent source of protein. Edamame can be enjoyed in many ways, but if you like a little spice, try this salt and chili edamame beans recipe. Each serving of this delicious snack has 7 grams of protein, making it an excellent option for a high protein vegan snack. These can be enjoyed alone, or along with some nuts for added protein and fatty acids.

Baked Lentil Protein Chips

Beans and lentils are good sources of plant protein. They are also full of fiber which helps promote healthy digestion and heart health. Lentil chips are a healthy alternative to fried potato chips, tortilla chips, or corn chips, and they are much higher in protein.

Baked lentil chips are the perfect healthy high protein vegan snack, They are easy to make with only 5 simple ingredients. Including these baked lentil protein chips as part of your snack routine will help you achieve a diet rich in protein.

High Protein Wraps With Tofu

These high-protein wraps with tofu make an excellent snack. Along with being a good source of protein, they’re made with nutritious ingredients like vegetables and whole grains. They’re easy to prepare and great for the go.

4 Ingredient Black Bean Hummus

Beans are a great vegan source of protein. Whether it’s black beans, garbanzo beans, white beans, or butter beans, they all have a high protein content making hummus a high protein vegan snacks. You’ve probably had hummus made with chickpeas before, but have you ever tried black bean hummus?

This black bean hummus can be made with 4 ingredients and a couple of things from the pantry. The only thing you need is a food processor and 10 minutes! Pair this hummus with tortilla chips, or any other chips you prefer. We like to serve this hummus with baked lentil protein chips.

Crispy Roasted Chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are quick and easy high protein vegan snacks, perfectly suited for your busy lifestyle. You can enjoy them on their own, and you can even add them to salads and bowls for an added crunch. Not only are chickpeas packed with protein, but they also contain a good serving of fiber.

Conclusion

Protein helps keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer, so if you constantly feel hungry during the day, chances are you aren’t eating enough protein. If you’re following a vegan diet, you may find it difficult to find plant-based sources of protein. Try these easy high protein vegan snacks to better fuel your busy day.

• The Ultimate 5 Delicious (and Vegan) Thanksgiving Menu Recipes
• 6 Nutritious and Delicious Recipes for Vegan Desserts
• 7 Healthy, Glorious Vegan Halloween Candy Options That Also Taste Good
• Staff Favorites: the Best Vegan Ice Cream Found in Stores
• 15 Simple and Delicious Vegan Snacks (With Recipes)
• Roasted Pumpkin Seeds Recipe – The Ultimate Guide