Homemade Protein Bars
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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!
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
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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
- Snickers protein bar
- Cookie dough protein bars
- Chocolate protein bars
- Coconut protein bars
- Love high protein snacks? Try peanut butter protein balls, protein cookie dough, and protein granola bars
✅ Nutrition reviewed
Nutrition information has been reviewed by registered dietitian Felicia Newell, MScAHN, RD, CPT.
Homemade Protein Bars (4 Ingredients!)
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 1 1/2 cups protein powder * See notes
- 2 cups peanut butter Can sub for any nut or seed butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 cups chocolate chips Optional
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!
I’ve tried this a few times and it’s great!
Thank you Nancy! They’re so easy and so delicious!
Can you use crunchy peanut butter?
Hi Vivian- you can! You may need to add a little liquid (water or almond/any milk) to make the dough a little smoother (crunchy peanut butter naturally adds loads of textures).
These taste incredible!
these were super tasty! what a great recipe.
My high school boys love these. They’re so easy to make, they can do it themselves!
I have been making these delicious protein bars for months now… my family loves them! They are so much cheaper than store-bought bars AND actually have a lot of protein! I have always used whey protein and I have never had a problem with it. I also prefer to sprinkle chocolate chips on top instead of dipping them in chocolate. So good!
Made these yesterday, used, Jif chocolate peanut butter and simply Jif peanut butter, used chocolate chips and peanut butter chips, used Mike’s hot honey as the sweetener. FABULOUS!!!! Dipped in dark and milk chocolate! It’s a definite keeper! Thanks for the recipe!
Amazing how much they taste like peanut butter cups, 3 others I’ve shared with said same about the taste!
Could make this recipe by using powdered peanut butter instead?
Hi Pree! I recently tested this out, and it does work, but you need to add a significant amount of liquid to compensate (I needed close to 1/2 a cup). The bars will also be more crumbly, but that isn’t an issue if your coating them in chocolate.
I’ve made these twice now. I wasn’t able to find Casein powder anywhere (I’m in Canada), so I used brown rice protein powder the first time. They were quite dense and a bit crumbly, but filling and good enough to eat them all and make again! The second time, I used egg white protein powder, and the texture is much better! When I make them again, I plan to use sweet lupin flour in place of the coconut flour as it has a better protein and fibre profile than coconut flour (with similar water absorption). Thanks!!
Did you have a chance to try with the lupin flour? I’m curious how it worked out.
These are good! I used vanilla whey protein powder and monkfruit/allulose blend with a couple tablespoons of water in place of the maple syrup and it worked out just fine!
Best homemade protein bars. I make them at least once a week.
I use whey protein powder with no problems. I prefer it because it is a better source of protein for building muscle (aside from meat). I also use sugar free maple syrup, and I use my hands to mix the ingredients. I use no more than 1/2 c chocolate chips and cut the bars before refrigerating. Something the recipe should mention is to choose peanut butter with no added sugar.
amazing
super delicious and packed with protein
Was looking for protein bar ,with out oats ,they are brilliant and easy to make
Great recipe thank you. They taste like trek bars. I made them using your homemade keto maple syrup recipe. Any idea what the carbs would be for that?
Wondering what to do if dough does not form?
Too dry? I used exact ingredients from the recipe
Thank you!
Hi there! It sounds like its the protein powder you are using, but it’s an easy fix. Just add a little more water/milk to thin everything out 🙂 If you want, you can also send me the name of your protein powder.
One of my favorite homemade protein bar recipes!
This looks so good! How do I make these into chocolate protein bars. I know you have another recipe for chocolate protein bars using oats but my husband can’t have oats.
You could try using chocolate protein powder and a different nut butter.