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My oatmeal protein bars are one of my family’s favorite healthy snacks. They come together in minutes with just four key ingredients. They are chewy and satisfying and pack 18 grams of protein each. Keep them as is, or change the mix-ins and flavors for something different.
Table of Contents
Why you need to make my oatmeal protein bars
I usually grab a homemade protein bar or a no-bake oatmeal bar when I’m hungry between meals. I’ve always wanted to combine the two, which is how these bars were born! They are thick, chewy, high in fiber, and pack 18 grams of protein each.
These oatmeal protein bars are super customizable. I tested them with different mix-ins and even drizzled them with various kinds of chocolate. Not only are they SO much cheaper than the store-bought bars, but they’re also filled with more wholesome, good-for-you ingredients that I feel happy sharing with my family.
If you love homemade bars, try my Snickers protein bars, coconut protein bars, or chocolate protein bars next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“These are my go-to snack bars to make for my kids. Using oats makes them even heartier, and gives my kids so much energy and satiety so they don’t reach for candy or chips😋.” – Holland
Key Ingredients
- Rolled oats. AKA old-fashioned oats. I prefer to use them over quick oats for extra staying power. Use whichever you have on hand.
- Protein powder. I used vanilla brown rice protein powder, but casein protein powder works. Try to avoid whey protein, as that can result in sticky bars.
- Almond butter. For extra protein and a rich, nutty flavor. Make your own or use a creamy store-bought almond butter.
- Maple syrup. Maple syrup is my sticky sweetener of choice, but you could use agave nectar, honey, or brown rice syrup.
How to make oatmeal protein bars
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
Step 2- Mix everything until combined. If needed, add a drop of milk or water
Step 3- Transfer the protein bar batter to the prepared pan and press firmly into place. Refrigerate until firm.
Step 4- Slice the bars and drizzle with melted chocolate.
Recipe variations
- Swap the almond butter. Use any nut or seed butter of your choice. If I make a nut-free protein bar, my go-to is sunflower seed butter.
- Add mix-ins. For a little extra flavor, I like to fold in dried cherries, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut.
- If the bars appear too crumbly, add some milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you have a cohesive batter.
- Fold in the chocolate. When I don’t feel like dirtying an extra dish, I’ll skip melting the chocolate and fold in the chocolate chips instead.
- Make oatmeal protein balls. Instead of shaping the bar batter into a square pan, roll them out into equal-sized balls using slightly wet hands or a cookie scoop (like we do with classic protein balls).
Storage instructions
To store: I recommend keeping leftover protein bars in the fridge so they stay fresher for longer. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
To freeze: Leftover bars can be stored in a freezer-safe container frozen for up to 6 months. Let the bars thaw overnight at room temperature before enjoying.
Oatmeal Protein Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup protein powder
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup can substitute for agave nectar or brown rice syrup
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, rolled oats, maple syrup, and almond butter and mix well. If the batter is too crumbly, add a little milk to thin it 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
Frequently asked questions
Yes, homemade oatmeal-based protein bars like this are made with fiber-packed oats and wholesome ingredients, making them a healthy and well-rounded snack.
Yes, if you’d rather omit the protein powder, you can use equal portions of coconut flour or oat flour. Just keep in mind that these bars’ texture and protein content will vary.
Hello Arman! I noticed you took pictures to see what’s going on ‘on the inside’ of your latest bar recipes, so thank you for it 😉 However, I have another request, if possible, for the future: could you add a recipe converter plug-in or something like that for those of us who don’t measure in cups? that would be so useful to try more of your recipes and get the exact same results. Thanks a lot!
Hi Eva, I don’t weigh my ingredients or convert them, but you can use online tools to do that! enjoy!
These look great! Are you able to recommend a specific rice or casein powder to use for them please? I am in the uk.
Hi Frankie! Yes, Optimum Nutrition Casein is fantastic!
How many bars does this make? 🙂
Hi there! 6-8 bars! 🙂
Your recipe says divide half the oats and blend to a powder. What about the other half of the oats?
Could you make a No Cow bar from D’s Naturals copycat recipe? I love their bars!
What can I use instead of the protein powder in this recipe? Would almond flour or coconut flour be a good substitute?
Protein powder is key for this recipe 🙂 Enjoy another recipe without protein powder on here 🙂
Why dairy free milk? Can I use regular? Or even kefir milk? Thanks 🙂
Regular milk will be fine!
Can these actually be stored at room temp for 2 weeks? The plant milk doesn’t go bad?
Hi Aubrey! It doesn’t 🙂
I just made these using Orgain Chocolate Protein Powder and they’re comically awful! You weren’t kidding about using a good protein powder haha. I’ll try again with a better one 🙂
Oh gosh!!! Haha, I have had many bad protein powder incidents!
Mine just won’t set….been in the fridge for hours. I had no alternative so I used whey protein and cow’s milk. Is there a way to make it set using those ingredients?
Hi there- Whey protein won’t work 🙂
Thanks for the recipe! Could you tell me the nutritional facts of these bars? You might have stated it but since I’m a skim reader I might have missed it! 😛
You are so welcome- For sure! If you go to myfitnesspal and add the ingredients, it will provide it for you 🙂 Enjoy!
Do you think there could be comparable substitute for the oat flour? I have a lot of allergies, including oatmeal. Thanks!
Hi Hannah! You can try out my recipe for 3 ingredient paleo protein bars 🙂
What do you mean divide half???
Hi Randi! sorry, what are you referring to?