An easy 5-minute recipe for Oatmeal Protein Bars, made with few ingredients and no peanut butter! Soft, chewy and perfect before or after a workout!
Oatmeal Protein Bars
We love our homemade protein bar recipes on here. We’ve had our mint chocolate chip protein bars, easy no bake protein bars, and cinnamon roll protein bars.
The inspiration for these 4 Ingredient No Bake Protein Bars was sparked several years ago when I was weight lifting consistently.
The gym I was part of offering a complimentary personal training package for all new recruits and I was offered three sessions. The second session with my trainer saw him offer me nutrition advice, the biggest one being ‘eat a balanced post workout snack of protein and carbs’.
He recommended me to blend a banana with protein powder and milk but at that time, the thought of smoothies made me want to gag. He suggested a simple bowl of oatmeal with protein powder mixed in.
Protein powder and oatmeal became my standard post-workout meal but eventually, the university started again and I didn’t have the luxury of microwaving a bowl in the comfort of my home. Instead of resorting to the shakes, I would just combine the oats, almond butter, maple syrup with protein powder and enough to milk to make a ‘dough‘ and would chow on that straight after the gym and this replaced the oats.
Naturally vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar free, these easy no bake protein bars take less than 5 minutes to make!
Oatmeal Protein Bars Ingredients
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
- Almond butter
- Pure Maple Syrup
- Protein Powder
That’s it!
I have definitely tried this recipe with several other options, and can vouch for the following-
Gluten-Free Rolled Oats– You can substitute the oats for quinoa flakes or even quick oats. Be sure to add a little extra of either you use, otherwise your protein bars will be too soft.
Almond Butter– Almond Butter can be substituted with peanut butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini.
Pure Maple Syrup– For non-strict vegans, you can use honey or agave nectar.
Protein Powder– Check out my shop page for all my tested recommendations.
How to make Oatmeal Protein Bars bars
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your rolled oats and protein powder and mix well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, combine your peanut butter and maple syrup and mix well, until combined.
- Combine your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. If the batter is a little too crumbly, add a dash of milk.
- Transfer your protein bar mixture into the lined pan and press firmly into place. If desired, top with extra chocolate chips.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, to firm up.
When to eat protein bars
There are so many misconceptions about when is the best time to eat protein bars. Honestly, these homemade protein bars can be enjoyed any time of the day- after a workout, as a snack between meals or even several eaten for breakfast!
Storing protein bars
Homemade protein bars should be stored in the fridge, as they will remain soft and chewy the entire time.
Refrigerated protein bars will keep fresh for up to 1 month.
You can freeze leftover protein bars to enjoy at a later date. Wrap each bar in parchment paper and place in a ziplock bag.
Frozen protein bars will keep for up to 6 months.
Oatmeal Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups gluten free rolled oats
- 1-2 scoops protein powder of choice See SHOP page for options
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup can substitute for agave nectar or brown rice syrup
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips of choice Optional, to melt over the top
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine your protein powder and rolled oats and mix well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, heat up your almond butter with your syrup and heat until warm. Whisk together.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix very well, until combined. If the batter is too crumbly, add a little milk to thin out.
- Transfer the protein bar batter into the lined pan and press firmly into place. Refrigerate until firm, and slice into bars. Drizzle with optional chocolate, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
These look so easy and yummy!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Neeny x
You’re welcome Neeny!
I definitely prefer to munch on something rather than drink a protein shake. These bars are SO simple, and would be perfect for a post run snack!
Motivation for me comes from different places. Sometimes one thing will be more motivating than other things depending on what is going on in my life at the time.
I have never had a personal trainer, and I probably never will. I workout alone 99% of the time, and I think I would get anxious if someone was telling me to run faster, or correct my form…
So good for a post run treat! You and me both- I get so anxious with someone monitoring me!
Think ea protein would work?
I’ve never tried EA protein- Sorry Heather! I’d recommend you try it out with minimal liquids first to ensure it doesn’t get too sticky 🙂
I would love eating these during my high mileage training times or actually whenever! These look delicious!
Thanks so much, Sandra!
Water + powder of any sort never appealed to me, so I would much rather have protein powder in bar form like this.
I absolutely love how you get inspiration from so many different places. McDonald’s, Harry Potter, other blogs, childhood— you’ve got it all! Come to NYC again so we can go be inspired by the Halal Guys food truck.
You know we are actually doing that this year? Mark it in your diary. May. Done.
Do you think store bought oat flour would work as well? Thanks for the great recipes 🙂
Definitely- In fact, it would be better! You’re very welcome! 🙂
This is my standard recipe for protein bars as well – yours look decidedly more yummy than mine though!
Thanks Jen! So simple and delicious!
I have inadvertently done this before, as in waited too long before finishing putting ingredients together to find that certain things had… set…. Like super duper overnight oats, I guess?
YES hahahaha. You funny bunny, you.
PS- Expect a message in the next couple of days.
I am all about the no bake stuff, in my world that is the way to go. Ever since I accidently rented an apartment with no oven (I’m smart like that 😉 ) no bake stuff is something that always appeals. I’ve never had a personal trainer, at my last gym they tried to suck me in and I was like I’m a yogi guys, regimes are so not my thing haha. Having said that I think different stuff works for different people and I know some people love having a personal trainer 🙂
Hahaha Jessica my oven broke and hence everything is no bake…but I don’t mind that because no bake = easy.
So simple… I haven’t done this already WHY!? I’m usually put off a lot of DIY protein bars because 1) I don’t have any nuts or dried fruits to hand or 2) I don’t want to waste my precious nut butters on anything that prevents me from dipping stuff into it. So, yay!
YES! That was the think- Why waste precious nut butters which you can’t even taste!
i have a new protein powder that this would be PERFECT for !
Good protein powder is key! i tried this Australian brand and it was so bad. It turned my bars to a damn sandpit!
Legggiiiit I went and made these bars before even commenting! I’ve been trying to add more protein to my snacks since my lunches seem to be lacking – these look perfect. I added some cocoa powder & peanuts to the batch and it tastes good so far (well as good as anything protein powder infused can taste ;))! Just sent you a photo….merci for this super easy recipe!
SO GLAD you tried it out. Hahaha the silly sandpit colour.
I always get asked where I get my inspiration from as well, and it’s not an easy question to answer. My recipes usually come from me eating something unhealthy and wanting me make a healthy version of it.
Same! That is why I love healthifying recipes!
I love how easy these are to make, Arman! Of course, the only protein powder I have in the house is whey, so I’ll have to put on my thinking cap and find a way to prevent the stickiness. Hmm, I don’t suppose dipping them in chocolate ganache would be beneficial to the healthin essence of them. 😉
Thanks Becca! I think subbing chocolate ganache would be absolutely genius. In fact, I demand you do it!
3 Ingredients, no bake and protein?! HOW ARE YOU SO AMAZING?! I clearly need to eat about 10 of these right now.
So you should probably overnight them to me. Thanks!
YES. and I’ll be waiting at night time for my almond joy treat 😉