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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.
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
- Protein crunch bars
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!
Very delicious. Thanks very much 😊
Could you replace the coconut flour with almond meal?
Yes, or oat flour! You may need to add more, though!
I didn’t use any chocolate. These protein bars are Delicious, so easy to make, easy to keep in sealed container fridge or freezer and quick to thaw. Friends/family are asking for this recipe 😋
I made these for the first time and love them. Wasn’t sure on what size to make the pieces for calorie and protein count. Can you help. Thanks.
Made this for the first time today using Nuttzo instead of peanut butter, and used 1/2 cup of Wholesome Yum allulose & monk fruit powder sugar blend with a 1/4 cup of coconut milk in place of maple syrup. I also added 1/4 cup of hemp seed to up the protein, and couldn’t be more pleased with the resulting flavor. This was an easy and quick recipe that is better tasting than any protein bar my husband has ever bought. To boot, it is sugar free and is made with healthy fats as opposed to seed oils. Excellent recipe!!!!
Due to migraines, I can’t have nuts, diary, or soy, so finding friendly protein bars is very challenging without compromising one of these dietary restrictions. I made these without the chocolate and they are delicious!! Very soft and healthy.
Hello! If I don’t want to use protein powder, what healthy flour can I substitute it with?
You can just leave it out 🙂
How about adding Flax seeds and Sunflower seeds? Quantities for recipe?
I have multiple food allergies and cannot consume protein powder. What can I substitute for the protein powder?
Just leave it out
Hi – can you use Better’n Peanut Butter for this recipe?
Haven’t tried.
Great recipe, thank you for specificity and simplicity <3
What app did you use for the nutritional info? Just asking because I ran it through chronometer and came up with over 300 calories per bar, 12g carbs, and 14 g protein. Even 500 g of peanut butter alone, divided by 12, is 249 calories. (Unless you’re using some strange kind of PB. I was in NZ and got a craving for PB, so bought some, took one bite, threw it away – I don’t know it was, but it wasn’t PB, lol!) I tried various peanut butters, all natural, sugar free, etc, and it doesn’t add up. I wouldn’t care, but I’m on a high protein, moderate carb diet. Anyway- love your website! Keep up the good work!
Hi Michelle- The recipe plugin calculates the nutritional values automatically. We include a disclaimer (like most food blogs should!) that these are just estimates and if calories or carbs etc are important, it’s best to double check using an app or similar 🙂
Love these. Made them twice now. Great taste and filling . Been saving me during my shoulder surgery healing!
These bars are REALLY good! At my 5-year-old grandson’s suggestion, we added the chocolate chips to the dough instead of melting them on top. Adds a little crunch and chocolate meltiness to the bars as some of the chips melted when I added them to the warm peanut butter. I substituted oat flour for the coconut and agave nectar for the maple syrup, and used rice protein powder. I used a 9×13 inch cake pan for the bars and they are just thick and filling enough. I did have to add some water to make the dough pliable enough to press into the pan.
morning, Arman – I’m really bad about leaving replies, but the keto hummus & granola have become keepers @ our house – I love chocolate as much as anyone, but I readily substitute walnuts instead as I love nuts!