These homemade protein bars are made with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened- they need just 4 ingredients! Packed with over 21 grams of protein and no baking required.
Need snack time inspiration? Here’s a protein-packed snack that is always a massive hit in our house: 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 store-bought ones, I opted to make my own and feel SO much better about it… and my wallet is thanking me too!
Table of Contents
Best homemade protein bars recipe
This protein bar recipe combines two of our other high protein snacks: protein balls and oatmeal energy balls. I love packing them in my bag for a quick and healthy snack between meals, and you’ll often find them in my car, too!
- Made with just 4 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!
Homemade protein bars are simple creatures: they use pantry staple ingredients with the addition of protein powder. Here is what you’ll need:
- Protein Powder. Any protein powder works, including whey protein, casein protein, and brown rice protein.
Ingredient tip
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. Sweetens the bars without adding refined sugar.
- 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
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.
Dietary 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 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 refrigerator, covered. 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.
More protein bar recipes to try
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.
Homemade Protein Bars (4 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 3/4 cup 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!
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.
Hi Arman, It appears that I have a sensitivity to coconut. Could you recommend an alternative? I’m ok with soy. I can’t eat milk protein, gluten, or corn either. Thanks!
You could try oat flour, but add extra to compensate
Can I leave the protein powder out? Will it still taste good?
I don’t see why not, but I’d reduce the amount of liquid added and possibly adding some extra sweetness.
Hi! This recipe sounds so delicious!! I was wondering if there was a way to increase the protein in the bars? Like if I wanted each to have 16-20 g of protein in them, do you have any suggestions?
Double the protein powder 🙂
I apologize if this is a dumb question but I don’t understand how these are sugar free when the syrup you use contains 53g of sugar per serving. Would you mind explaining this to me please? Thanks!
I used sugar free syrup.
Thanks for this recipe, these were great! I didn’t have chocolate chips on hand, so I put in some cacao nibs for some extra crunch/nutrition. I’ve been snacking on these all week haha. Hits the spot for my peanut butter addiction 🙂
can the protein powder be substituted? I don’t like the taste of the protein powders available around me.
Hi! Sure- Leave out the protein powder, and increase the coconut flour until the dough is thick 🙂
Just what I was looking for! I halved the recipe because I didn’t have enough peanut butter and I decided to make it have a chocolate layer instead of a chocolate dip. These are so delicious. I’ve been having one bar for breakfast every morning and I don’t feel hungry for hours. Will make again.
Making these for the second time! They’re a huge hit at my gym. I used maple syrup the first time, this time I’m using honey from a bee farm owned by my sisters friend. I feel like this time, the batter was nice and smooth, not crumbly. Perfect 🤗
Just wish I could make them look as pretty as they do in the pics!
These are so very good, almost like eating a Reese bar, without the chocolate. I am not a big fan of chocolate. I used agave nectar ecause Walmart doesn’t sell keto maple syrup and I haven’t gotten mine from Amazon. I also used a vanilla protein powder and I may reduce the sweetner because the protien powder has erythritol in it. I am a truck driver and I love these because I can make them in my truck.
I have no protein powder. What could I sub? These look great, but I’ll have to order online. What kind of protein powder do you recommend?
Delish, but had trouble with the coating in chocolate. Tips for that part?
Use two forks 🙂
Made these with hemp protein which gave them a greenish tint. Coating was a challenge, added some coconut oil to the chocolate to thin and help coat. Delicious! Looking forward to making more of your recipes.
Love Love Love this incredible outstanding protein bar and tastes like a Reese’s Peanut Bar but healthier
These are great!! I added chia seeds for extra fiber and used PBFit (and maybe a little pasteurized egg whites?) instead of peanut butter and to add a little more protein. They were SOOO good!! Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Can I use hemp protein powder?
I don’t see why not!