These Homemade Protein Bars are incredibly simple to make with no baking or stove-top needed. This recipe uses everyday ingredients, so no special trips to specialty stores!
Making your own protein bars is not only economical—store-bought protein bars can be pricey—but you’ll also know exactly what’s in them.
Homemade Protein Bars
Last year, my husband worked with a personal trainer who emphasized the importance of increasing his protein intake. After experiencing sticker shock from buying various protein bars (many with questionable ingredients!), I decided to make some from scratch.
These homemade bars are not only much cheaper on a per-bar basis, but they also lack any strange, unpronounceable ingredients. Best of all, they’re completely delicious and totally addictive. While I’m not too concerned about my own protein intake, I can’t stop eating these!
If you’ve tried commercial protein bars, these are closest in texture to a “Perfect Bar”—soft, thick, and chewy. Taste-wise, they’re similar to a “G2G Bar” or “Go-Macro Bar” and most like the peanut butter flavor “Perfect Bar” (with a hint of protein powder flavor).
How To Make Homemade Protein Bars
- Prep the Pan: Line a bread pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Blend Oats: Pulse oats in a food processor until they resemble coarse flour.
- Mix Ingredients: Add the rest of the bar ingredients. Pulse until it forms a thick dough.
- Press Into Pan: Transfer the dough to the pan. Press it down firmly and evenly.
- Optional Chocolate Drizzle: Melt chocolate chips with oil, then drizzle over the bars.Chill: Refrigerate for about an hour until firm.
- Cut and Serve: Lift out the set bars using the parchment, slice them, and enjoy.
- Store: Keep in a sealed container in the fridge.
It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Is it cheaper to make your own Protein Bars?
Yes, making your own protein bars is usually cheaper. Buying the ingredients might cost more at first, but you can make a lot of bars, which saves money over time.
Store-bought bars usually cost between $1.50 and $3.00 each. Making them at home can be cheaper, depending on what ingredients you buy.
Also, you can choose all-natural ingredients and know exactly what’s in your bars. Plus, you can easily change the recipe to be exactly how you like things!
Ingredients In Homemade Protein Bars
- Old-fashioned oats: These provide structure to the bars, making them chewy and holding everything together nicely.
- Peanut butter: Choose smooth for creamy bars. If using natural peanut butter, stir it well before measuring. Cashew butter, almond butter, and most other nut butters will work here as well.
- Honey: Sweetens and binds the ingredients nicely. Adjust the amount according to your sweetness preference.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a nice smell and flavor. You can skip it if you prefer!
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors. If your peanut butter is already salted, you might not need to add more.
- Vanilla protein powder: The taste and texture of your bars depend on this. Use a whey protein powder you love! Taste the dough to see if it needs more sweetness.
- Mini chocolate chips: Add sweet chocolate bits. Use dark chocolate for less sweetness and healthy fats.
- Optional chocolate drizzle: Gives the bars a fancy chocolate topping. Leave it off for simpler, less sweet bars.
Homemade Protein Bars Tips
Here are some tips for whipping up the best possible homemade protein bars:
- Sweeten to Taste: If your protein powder is on the sweet side, you might want to go easy on the honey. You can always add more if you need to!
- Watch the Salt: Check if your protein powder includes salt. If it does, you might want to skip adding extra salt to the mix. Taste as you go.
- Pick Your Favorite Nut Butter: The nut butter really makes these bars, so use one you love! Whatever tastes good straight from the jar will be delicious in these bars.
- Press Firmly: After making the protein bar “dough,” press it very firmly into the pan. Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to compress it into an even layer.
- Line the Pan: Remember to line the bread pan. This will ensure easy removal of the bars
Storage
Storing Homemade Protein Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container or bag in the fridge. They’re best if eaten within a week but can last up to two weeks. These bars get soft and melty if left out in a warm environment.
More Protein-Packed Recipes
- Protein Breakfast Cookies cinnamon roll flavored!
- Chocolate Protein Shake with chocolate protein powder
- Peanut Butter Granola with chocolate
- Pumpkin Protein Shake with vanilla protein powder
- Chocolate Protein Balls with almond butter
Homemade Protein Bars
Equipment
- Bread pan 8.5 x 4.5-inch
- Small blender or mini food processor
Ingredients
Protein Bars
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup peanut butter stir well if using a natural butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder see note 1
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
- 3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon melted coconut oil
Instructions
- Line bread pan (8.5 x 4.5-inch) with parchment paper or foil. Leave an overhang for easy removal of bars and set aside.
- Add oats in a small blender or food processor. Pulse for about 15–20 seconds until oats resemble a coarse flour. Add remaining “Protein Bars” ingredients. Pulse until well combined into a thick dough. Scrape edges as needed.
- Press the dough firmly and evenly into the prepared bread pan.
- Combine chocolate chips with coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in between each burst for 10 seconds until the chocolate is smooth. Transfer chocolate to a plastic bag, cut off the tip of the bag, and drizzle chocolate over the bars. If desired, sprinkle a light dusting of sea salt.
- Pop in the fridge until bars are set and firm, about an hour.
- Remove from the fridge and, using the overhang, pull the bars from the pan. Cut into 10 to 12 bars.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
DANGER-these are so good that it’s easy to gobble 600 calories in an instant 😂. Seriously though I made these with almond butter which I far prefer over peanut butter, omitted coconut (for once in my life) and used Orgain vanilla protein powder. Just SO GOOD. I also made some with chocolate powder and they’re almost as good. YUM YUM!
YAY! I’m so happy to hear this! Thanks Stephanie! 🙂
Is there a viedo available on theese bars
Not yet! But here’s a step by step tutorial: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17883403064020029/
Can the bars be used when on KETO
I’m so sorry I’m not familiar enough with the KETO diet to give recommendations; I’d work with a nutritionist on that!
thank you for this recipe, I eat commercial protein bars all the time, but very few measure up for long, just get sick of them and most are loaded with sugar, so really nice to be able to make my own with your recipe