An easy 5-minute recipe for no bake protein bars, made with few ingredients and no peanut butter! Soft, chewy and perfect before or after a workout!
No Bake Protein Bars Recipe
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!
Homemade 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 easy protein 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.
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Easy No Bake Protein Bar Recipe
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.
Agreed! It’s also hard for me to pin point my sources of inspiration. They come from..well everywhere! I just started a Pin board for no bake snacks, and I think your recipes will account for majority of the recipes pinned haha. Here’s another one to add 😉
Hahahahaha Min, that made me laugh. In a good way. You’re a gem.
Awesome! I love how simple these are, but they look so good!
Thank you Steph!
MAKING RIGHT NOW! yes I am. I told Jason I’d make him some breakfast bars and then THESE are here, so – yep, they are currently setting up in the fridge. THANK YOOOOUUUU
You’re welcome my friend. I’m waiting for bloody portobello mushrooms to go down in price to start hacking at your recipes. At the moment, they are close to $5 each. EACH.
Dear Arman, I know my daughter would really love these! I am going to have to share this with her. It is so easy to make too which I love. Have a wonderful day, Catherine
No worries at all, Catherine. Although…I will trade you for fish and chips…or red velvet 😉
Ew to both personal trainers and protein shakes. Ok…I sometimes add vanilla protein powder to oats or something because the almond milk I have is plain and not vanilla. I don’t think I could ever drink it with plain water 🙁 My recipes come from simple laziness. I like things to be quick and tasty. I have no problem taking help from the store and making an amazing sandwich. Sandwich ideas are what I search most frequently on Pinterest. I have made a version of these three ingredient bars before with complete success. Thanks for the idea!
No worries- Hope you enjoy it!
I can’t get over how simple these are, not to mention delicious! Can’t wait to try these out. I think these will give anyone motivation to work out 😉
Hahaha. Not going to lie, I think about food 50% of my workout.
Yum!! I’m all about adding chocolate to bars. I think you can get inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and nope, I’ve never had a personal trainer. Do YouTube videos count? 😉
Youtube definitely counts…Except Jillian Michaels. She scares me.
These look really good, Arman! I love anything with chocolate chips, and I love that these are made with just 3 ingredients!
Thanks Kelly! So easy!
Pinned for the world to enjoy! 😀 Wow….
Thanks!
Can’t believe how easy and healthy these are! Of course I’d probably add too many of the goodies to keep them that way 🙂 Love it!
Hahaha that is what happened the first time…I couldn’t even form them into bars!
These protein bars are exactly what I need to carry with me everywhere. I am really bad about taking lunch with me, so, this would be perfect snack to have. Not to mention, they look super delicious.
Thank you so much- They are portable which makes it so convenient!
What you said about smoothies making you want to gag makes me all sorts of sad considering I drink around 2 or 3 a day. I’m calling off our friendship 😛
I know, what was I thinking back then….
I love chocolate and would definitely try this recipe, delicious!!
For me food is the motivating factor and other two not required
Thanks Kenya! They are delicious! And food is motivating for me too 😉
Chocolate chips are never optional. Duh.
I know. Sorry brother, I have sinned.