Homemade Protein Bars

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4.99 from 963 votes
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These homemade protein bars are made with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened- they need just 4 ingredients! I love how each bar has over 21 grams of protein each!

Love high protein snacks? Try peanut butter protein balls, protein cookie dough, and protein granola bars.

homemade protein bars.

I grew up eating Pure protein bars and Quest protein bars, but not anymore. Sick and tired of forking out tons of money for a store-bought protein bar, I opted to make my own and feel SO much better about it… and my wallet is thanking me too!

This protein bar recipe combines two of my favorite no bake snacks: protein balls and oatmeal energy balls. I love packing them in my bag for a quick and healthy snack between meals.

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Ingredients needed
  3. How to make homemade protein bars
  4. Recipe swaps and substitutions
  5. Storage instructions
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More protein bar recipes to try
  8. Homemade Protein Bars (4 Ingredients!) (Recipe Card)

Why I love this recipe

  • Made with just 4 simple ingredients, they take minutes to prepare. We try to make a batch at least once a week, so we always have some on hand. However, they taste so good, they rarely last that long.
  • They use wholesome ingredients, like coconut flour, and are sweetened with just a touch of maple syrup.
  • Each bar packs in over 21 grams of protein.
  • They are great to enjoy between meals as they always keep hunger at bay!

Ingredients needed

  • Protein Powder. Any protein powder works, including whey protein powder, casein protein powder, and pea protein powder. For flavored protein bars, why not try a flavored protein powder? Chocolate, peanut butter, and cinnamon roll are all fabulous flavors.
  • Coconut Flour. This helps hold the protein bars together while ensuring they have a soft and doughy texture.
  • Peanut Butter. Smooth and drippy peanut butter with no added sugar. You can also use almond butter.
  • Maple Syrup. Sweeten the bars without adding refined sugar. I’ve also made these with honey and agave nectar which works well.
  • Chocolate Chips. To cover the protein bars with! To keep these as plain peanut butter protein bars, you can omit the chocolate.

How to make homemade protein bars

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1- Mix the ingredients. Add all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix until combined. Fold through the chocolate chips. 

Step 2- Let the bars set. Transfer the mix into a lined pan and press down until smooth on top. Refrigerate for an hour. 

Step 3- Slice. Using a slightly wet knife, slice into protein bars, then serve.

protein bar recipe.

Recipe swaps and substitutions

This protein bar recipe is very forgiving and it’s easy to make them compliant to a plethora of diets out there with a few simple swaps.

  • Cut the sugar. Replace the maple syrup with a sugar free maple syrup.
  • Replace the coconut flour. Either oat flour or almond flour can be used instead. You may need to add a little extra flour to compensate for the extra moisture.
  • Make them peanut-free. Almond butter or cashew butter are both great nut butters to use. You could make chocolate protein bars by using healthy Nutella.
  • Make them nut-free. Tahini or sunflower seed butter have an almost identical texture to nut butter.
  • Vegan and/or gluten free. Make vegan protein bars instead.

Storage instructions

To store: Homemade protein bars are best stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They will keep well for up to two weeks.

To freeze: Place the bars in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

protein bars recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do protein bars make you gain weight?

Homemade protein bars are great for weight management or a weight loss diet as they use wholesome and healthy ingredients and have around 150 calories.

Is it healthy to have a protein bar every day?

Solely eating multiple protein bars can have negative side effects, especially if you have an intolerance to protein powder ingredients. 

However, enjoying 1-2 protein bars per day as a snack can keep you satisfied and fuller for longer.

Is eating a protein bar the same as drinking a protein shake?

Most protein shake recipes have few carbs or fat in it, which won’t keep you as satisfied as a protein bar. Shakes are great after a workout, especially if you intend to eat a solid meal soon after.

More protein bar recipes to try

protein bar recipe.

Homemade Protein Bars (4 Ingredients!)

4.99 from 963 votes
These homemade protein bars need just four ingredients to make and are healthier and better tasting than anything store bought! Watch how I make this in my kitchen in the video below!
Servings: 12 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 6 minutes

Video

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Line a deep pan with parchment paper and set aside. For thicker bars, use an 8 x 8-inch pan. For thinner bars, use any size bigger. 
  • In a large mixing bowl, add your dry ingredients and mix well. 
  • In a small mixing bowl, melt your peanut butter with sticky sweetener until combined. Add to dry ingredients and mix until fully combined. 
  • Transfer protein bar batter into the lined baking dish and press firmly in place. Refrigerate or freeze until firm. Once firm, cut into bars and cover in optional chocolate and enjoy! 

Notes

* I prefer using casein, brown rice, or paleo protein powder. I never recommend whey as the texture is incredibly sticky and doesn’t form well. 
If the batter is too thick/crumbly, add water/milk until a firm batter remains. 
TO STORE: Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Protein bars store well in the refrigerator, too! Let them sit at room temperature for several minutes before enjoying. 
TO FREEZE: Freeze in a sealable container for up to 6 months. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1BarCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 21gFat: 7gSodium: 109mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 3gVitamin A: 9IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 2g
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This might be the best recipe I have ever tried.

    I used pulverized Gluten Free Oats instead of coconut flour
    and I used Powdered milk for the protein powder,
    Trader Joes Almond butter instead of Peanut Butter

    I mixed the batter up with a hand mixer, because it is a really thick dough.

    I prepped a 9 x 12 glass pan by wiping it down with a couple of teaspoons olive oil.
    Then I lined it with parchment paper.

    I pressed the batter in as evenly as I could, but it was too thin on the edges so I folded the edges over so it was more like an 8 x 8 pan. That’s a much better thickness.

    Then I used the bottom of a glass to press down evenly, but I ended up transferring the parchment and dough to the counter so I could run the rolling pin over it evenly, That worked better.

    Then I sliced it on all 4 sided with a pizza cutter to make a perfect square. Save the scraps.

    I pulverized a generous handful of homemade trail mix*** for a topping.

    I heated the ground topping mix for 30 seconds and then pressed it evenly across the square, coated my hands with a bit of olived oil and pressed the topping into the bars, then scatter the scrap dough on top of the topping and roll across a couple of times to press it all in together.

    Slice into squares with a pizza cutter, and refrigerate.

    (***Trail Mix: Mixed up Trader Joe’s roasted nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips)

  2. 5 stars
    I want to make them for my movers tomorrow but i dont have cocont flour. I have tapioca flour, gluten free flour, and walnut I could grind up to make like a nut flour. Can I use one of those and could you recommend which one? Thanks for thr recipe, it looks amazing

    1. Hmmm I think walnut flour would work- Gluten-free flour would too, but you’d need to heat treat it first. Wait, sorry, just realized you’d made them already haha

  3. 5 stars
    Made these last night. I used sugar free PB Fit and sugar free maple syrup. These taste just like the Tiger Bars I used to eat when I was a kid. So yummy!!

  4. 5 stars
    Hi! Just wondering please if you could you use a Natural Gelatin or Collagen Powder as the protein powder in this recipe? Thank you.

  5. 5 stars
    Just made this for the fifth time over a 2 week period- these taste so good and helping me with my weight loss journey!

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