An easy recipe for homemade low carb protein bars, better than anything store-bought and ready in 5 minutes! Made either with oats or coconut flour, these tasty protein bars are a quick and healthy snack or workout fuel! Paleo, Ketogenic, Vegan, Gluten Free.
Homemade protein bars are a popular section on the blog, with reader favorites include these peanut butter protein bars, no bake apple pie protein bars and my personal favorite, the snickers protein bars. In fact, even my personal trainer loves them!
No Bake Protein Bars
It’s no surprise that more and more people are making their own protein bars. Supermarkets and grocery stores carry a plethora of them, but at a cost- You’d be lucky to find a good quality protein bar with minimal ingredients AND at a reasonable price.
How do you make your own protein bars?
I don’t believe you need to spend lots of money on expensive bars when you can easily make your own TASTY homemade protein bars with easy, everyday ingredients.
My homemade protein bars are satisfying, easy and literally take 5 minutes to make. Not only do they only need 4 ingredients, but I’ve included two options!
- Protein Bars made with oats (this one is vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free!)
- Protein bars made without oats (this one uses no protein powder, is paleo, keto, and low carb)
Not only that, but they don’t require any refrigeration and can be packed for travel, school, lunch boxes etc.
The reason for sharing two options is that I find with most protein bar recipes, there tend to be two teams- One who prefers an oat-based bar recipe and one who prefers not using protein powder!
Homemade Protein Bars with oats
Pictured is the protein bars using oats. As mentioned earlier, you only need four ingredients to make the oat version-
- Old fashioned oats (quinoa flakes work well too!)
- Smooth nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter etc)
- A sticky sweetener (maple syrup and agave work best!)
- Protein Powder of choice (see favorites below!)
The combination of these ingredients provides a wholesome, filling oatmeal protein bar between meals. Whenever I’m in a time pinch, I sometimes have 3-4 of them as a wholesome breakfast option too!
Homemade Protein Bars without protein powder
Making protein bars without protein powder is easy, and only needs THREE ingredients-
- Coconut Flour
- Smooth nut or seed butter
- Natural Sugar Free Maple Syrup (I use a monk fruit sweetened maple syrup)
The coconut flour is naturally low in carbs and high in fiber, and the nut/seed butter provides a solid dose of protein. I prefer homemade protein bars with almond butter, as they have a mild flavor without being overpowering!
What is the best kind of protein powder to use?
When it comes to using protein powder in recipes, I strictly use three kinds-
- Brown Rice Protein Powder
- Casein Protein Powder
- Paleo Protein Powder
The reason for only using those three blends is that I find that they mix well with dry ingredients, and provide a thicker texture. I never recommend using other types, as they tend to yield either dry/crumbly results and/or sticky textures.
Are protein bars good for kids?
It really depends on the age of the child and how active they are. I never grew up on eating protein bars, but I do know of family/friends who make protein-packed snacks for their kids. If you don’t want to use protein powder, opt for the protein powder-free recipe. If your child needs a protein boost, it’s best to speak to a medical professional if you have any concerns.
More homemade protein bar recipes
- Bounty Protein Bars
- No Bake Banana Bread Protein Bars
- Cookies and Cream Protein Bars
- Almond Joy Protein Bars
- White Chocolate Raspberry Protein Bars
Homemade Low Carb Protein Bars (Paleo, Keto, Vegan)
Ingredients
For the protein powder-free option (Keto, Paleo, Gluten Free)
- 2 cups smooth almond butter can sub for any nut/seed butter
- 1/2 cup monk fruit sweetened maple syrup * See notes
- 3/4 cup coconut flour
- 2 cups stevia sweetened chocolate chips Optional
For the oat version (Vegan, Gluten Free, Sugar Free)
- 3 cups gluten free old fashioned oats can sub for quinoa flakes
- 4 scoops protein powder of choice See recipe post for tested recommendations
- 1 cup nut/seed butter of choice I used peanut butter
- 1 cup brown rice syrup * See notes
- 2 cups dairy free chocolate chips Optional
Instructions
- Line a deep 8 x 8-inch or 8 x 10-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your nut/seed butter with your sticky sweetener until combined. Mix your wet and dry ingredients and mix until a thick batter remains.
- Transfer the protein bar dough to the lined pan and press firmly in place. Refrigerate.
- Melt your chocolate chips and pour over the bars. Refrigerate until firm.
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.
Do you have Easy ice cream recipes?
Sure, loads in my recipe archives, enjoy 🙂
That chocolate layer though 🙂 Love making homemade protein bars!
Thank you for a vegan recipe for these protein bars! They look GLORIOUS. OMG, that chocolate layer on top is just calling my name!
Sorry for my confusion…but is the nutritional information provided for the oat version?
For the keto version, use myfitnesspal to work out the oat version
You do realize casein is not vegan I hope?
Well aware of that hence the evident vegan option included and tested, enjoy
I don’t see how this recipe is so low carb with oats and rice syrup
There are two different tested options included. enjoy
What are the nutrition facts for the oat bars?
They are included in the recipe card
Could you please include the nutrition information for both variations? I’m unsure which variant the one bit of nutrition info is for (I assume the non-oat version?). It’d be very helpful to have the nutrition breakdown for both options to better help determine macros accurately.
Sure, feel free to calculate it using myfitnesspal or similar 🙂
…Okay, but could you actually address the issue? If you aren’t willing to add nutrition information for the second variation, could you at least clarify which variation the above nutrition information—which you provided—is for?
I am completely confused. Neither of the versions will come out looking like the picture. The picture has a “fudge” layer that is the equivalent thickness of the oat layer.
Did you see the oat version listed in the recipe card? Exact ones pictured, and using the full 2 cups of chocolate chips.
Enjoy.
Not one is carb free. Why in the world would you advertise this?
None of my recipes claim to be carb free.
You advertise as KETO. Nothing about any version of this is keto! Please please, for the sake of people who are using a strict ketogenic diet for medical reasons, remove your keto advertising.
With all due respect, please see the recipe card, which has TWO options- the first one is 100% keto. Enjoy.
My mistake, too, Arman. I put the two together. Ignore my comment sent earlier.
Hi, just wondering if it’s possible to use almond flour in place of all, or at least some, of the coconut flour. Thanks!
I don’t see why not!
OMG these comments are actually insane. If you’re looking for a medical diet you should be talking to your doctor ffs.
Thanks for all the work you put into these, I love the creativity.
So I stumbled upon this recipe cuz it seemed simple. But I did change some things and have a few tips to share to anyone who might be using it. I used sugar free maple syrup so as to not add so much sugar to my diet (regardless if it’s refined or not, i don’t want it), all natural no sugar no salt added peanut butter, my regular pea protein powder which works fine, Kodiak protein oats for extra protein, and I add a layer of pecans that I press onto the top to add even more nutrition and protein. Make sure the peanut syrup mix is warm/hot when you mix it into the dry ingredients, it really helps. I end up using my hands to blend it all together which I found easier than using an electric mixer or a utensil. In an 8×8 it should make 20 small square servings of around 200 calories (maybe a little less). Also, don’t mix nuts into the mix, it won’t hold as well. Hope this all helps!
Great foundation recipe that can be modified countless ways to suit taste and nutritional requirements. Better tasting and more filling than any commercial protien bar yet tasted. I have been looking to add more protien and slow release type carb snacks to my diet and this recipe fits those needs perfectly. Really appreciate your site as it provides badly needed dietary inspiration in light of my ever growing endocrine and other health conditions.