Have you ever had the munchies, opened your pantry to peruse the options, then realized every item on the shelves is either in a shiny wrapper or cardboard box? Thatโs been me for the last two months. No more! Iโm taking back my breakfasts and snacks with these Peanut Butter Protein Bars.
Made with oatmeal, protein powder, honey, and some chocolate for happy measure, these healthy oatmeal protein bars are no bake, and the only equipment you’ll need is a bowl and a spoon.
With the all-out crazy of the last few months (hi, holidays, travel, and general cookbook mania), Iโve been relying on more store-bought snacks than usual. While they certainly have their place, Iโve missed my homemade healthy snacks.
One of the shiny wrapper foods Iโve been relying on the most these past few months is protein bars.
Yes, a store-bought bar will do in a pinch, and I appreciate the larger selection of healthy, high-protein options that are on the market now, but nothing feels or tastes as wonderful as making your own wholesome snacks from scratch.
I love knowing exactly what is in these homemade chocolate peanut butter protein bars.
Plus, just like these no bake Protein Balls, the ingredients are simple and nourishing, and the cost-per-bar is a fraction of the ones at the store.
Also, SO YUMMY. The texture of these bars is soft and chewy, and they taste like a thick, bakery-style peanut butter cookie.
As an even-better bonus, these no bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars can be stored at room temperature, something you usually only see in a baked protein bar recipe.
That means they are travel friendly and easy to keep at your desk, and you can tuck them in your gym bag for a post-workout refuel.
How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars
The ingredient list is short, simple, and a slam dunk.
- Peanut Butter. Healthy fats, protein, and the all-out delicious factor. You can use any kind you like, be it shelf stable or drippy peanut butter.
The consistency of your batter can vary based on the type of peanut butter you use. If your batter is looser than you would like, simply add an extra tablespoon or two of oats until it holds together.
- Oatmeal. Rolled oats are hearty, rich in fiber, and give the Peanut Butter Protein Bars their structure.
- Honey. For its natural sweetness and โglueโ factor.
- Protein Powder. Pump โem up! To make these protein bars with protein powder, stir in 1/2 cup (about 2 generous scoops) of your favorite brand of protein powder. You can use whey- or plant-based protein. I recommend vanilla, though I suspect chocolate would be tasty too.
- Flaxseed Meal. Omega-3s please.
- Coconut Oil. To help the bars bind and solidify.
- Cinnamon and Chocolate Chips. No ho-hum bars here. These Peanut Butter Protein Bars are loaded with the good stuff.
Once you have the ingredients, itโs as simple as stirring. These healthy oatmeal protein bars are made in one bowl.
Press your bar “batter” into the pan, pop them into the fridge, and theyโll set within an hour.
How to Store and Freeze These Protein Bars
- To Store. Store the bars at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also store them in the fridge, though I find they taste best at room temperature.
- To Freeze. Place bars in an airtight freezer-safe storage container and freeze for up to 3 months. I like to wrap mine individually, then remove them from the freezer as needed.
Ready for a pantry upgrade? Give these Peanut Butter Protein Bars a try! You’ll smile every time you open the door and find them waiting for you.
More Healthy Homemade Protein Snack Recipes
- Vegan Protein Bars
- Peanut Butter Protein Cookies (with protein powder)
- Protein Cookies (without protein powder)
- Protein Oatmeal (overnight oatmeal recipe)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter*
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 2 cups Bobโs Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder about 2 scoops, depending upon your brand
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8×8- or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides like handles.
- Place the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a medium heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of water and bring the water to a simmer over medium to medium-high heat. (Do not let the water boil, and make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the mixing bowl.) Stir and heat until the mixture is smoothly combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and turn off the heat.
- To the bowl with the peanut butter mixture, add the oats, protein powder, flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. The mixture will seem very dry at first but will come together as you stir. It wonโt be sticky but should hold together when pressed (see recipe notes for more details). If the mixture is still fairly warm, pop the bowl into the refrigerator for a few minutes to let it cool, then stir in the chocolate chips. (Cooling the mixture will prevent the chocolate from melting. Donโt worry if they do melt a littleโthe bars will still be delicious!) Press evenly into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
- Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment handles and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into bars of desired size and enjoy.
Notes
- *The consistency of the bars will vary based on the brand of peanut butter you use. If they seem too loose, add a tablespoon or two of extra oats. If they seem too dry, add additional peanut butter, honey, or even water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the bars hold together easily when pressed into the pan.
- The nutritional information will vary based upon the brand of protein powder you use. If you’d like to calc them with a specific brand, you can do so for free at myfitnesspal.com.
- Store the bars at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- I like to wrap mine individually, then remove them from the freezer as needed. You can also store them in the fridge, though I find they taste best at room temperature.
Nutrition
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RegisterI am sharing this post in partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands and companies that make it possible for me to continue to create quality content for you!
Love the bars. is there a way to make them slightly less crumbly??
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Stephen! Your protein powder might be on the drier side. Iโd try adding even more peanut butter and maybe scale back on the oats a bit.
Hi Erin – do you have recommendations for protein powders? I’d like to avoid anything with a lot of sugar or sugar substitutes. And I’m not trying to bulk up! There are so many on the market so would appreciate knowing your favorites. Thanks!
Hi Alisa, I like Bobโs Red Mill a lot! They have one thatโs a combo protein powder and nutritional booster, and it tastes delish too. I hope this helps!
I don’t think these turned out for me exactly as expected bit they were easy and delicious. I will make them again for sure.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Suzanne! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
It’s generally good but a bit too sweet for my tastebuds. I wonder if I can melt the rest of the bars again and add something to make it less sweet.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them overall, Quinn! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
How about a grain free version maybe using almond flour in place of oatmeal?
Hi MC! I havenโt tried it myself, but you could experiment. Almond flour will be drier, so you may need to add a little additional honey or nut butter. You could also try my Almond Flour Cookies instead.
My secret to making these so much more crispy and delicious is to add just a half cup of Rice Krispies, in place of a boy of the oats, It really makes a difference.
I also leave out the chocolate chips, not necessary for them to be delicious and nutritious!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the bars, Paula! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Iโve made a few of the recipes on this blog and everything is delicious- this included. I added hazelnuts to my batter and chia seeds and loved it.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Doree! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
The taste of these bars is amazing and they are very simple to make!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Gwen! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Love, love and did I say love these protein bars! Such a yummy breakfast, snack or light dessert (it has chocolate and peanut butter in it, need I say more, LOL). Iโve shared the bars with several friends and later the recipes as they love it too!
Side note: Iโve played around with the amount of peanut butter (tablespoon or so less) and honey (tablespoon or so more) just for my taste preference and they still taste great! Thank you Erin for sharing! Iโve enjoyed making several of your recipes and this is first time Iโve posted.
Hi Vicki! Thank you for the feedback and this kind review!!
Is there a way to microwave instead of using double boiler method?
Hi Meredith, while I haven’t tried it myself, there have been a few other readers who have done it. This is their feedback: melt the coconut oil and the peanut butter together in the microwave at 10 second increments.Once smooth stir in the honey followed by the rest of the ingredients. Another reader says: microwave the bowl with PB, honey and coconut oil for 10 secondsโjust enough to slightly warm the bowl and the ingredients without a mess. Hope this helps!
These have become my go to sweet craving fix since changing my lifestyle! They are a no-guilt guilty pleasure and the whole family loves them!
Hi Deb! So glad you enjoyed these bars! Thank you for this kind review!
What an amazing recipe! Thank you very much for sharing this with us. This is great for our boys who are runners and need something quick before they take to the trails.
HI tobby warren! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review!
I have a very dear friend suffering from Pancreatic cancer and needs to eat a lot of protein in small bites daily. NO Red meats for protein. Both if us really like these bars. I did cut back on the honey a bit and they still held together. I added in one batch Craisins instead of Cho chips. Delicious.
I’m so sorry to hear that Joan! I’m so happy you found something here to make and enjoy! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi Erin,
How do you package these in a bar form individually for storage, or to take just one with you when leaving the house?
Hi Jacob, I like to wrap mine individually. Hope that helps!
So good and satisfying! We all love them just put another batch in the fridge.
Thank you Erin for the easy and healthy recipes that help a working family!,๐
Terri
Hi Terri! So glad you enjoyed them! Thank you for this kind review!
I am abt to make these! Just wondering what can I replace flax seeds with that arent chia seeds? Or can I skipp it?
Hi Kathy, this recipe includes flaxseed meal which is ground flaxseed. You can swap it for extra oats. Hope this helps!
I love these. Being on a high protein diet I double the recipe and add an extra scoop of protein to help meet my daily protein goals. I also use Lily’s sugar free chips (1/2 white and 1/2 chocolate) So much better than store bought!
Hi Tammy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!