Easy No Bake Homemade Protein Bars
Easy No Bake Homemade Protein Bars
Making your own no bake homemade protein bars is a quick and easy way to save money and avoid the excess sugar found in store-bought options. These protein-packed snacks are naturally sweetened and made with just a few simple, healthy ingredients like creamy peanut butter, agave, chocolate, coconut oil, and plant-based protein powder. With just 10 minutes of prep time, you can create a delicious and healthy snack that can be customized to your liking!
I created this recipe because I honestly got tired of spending a ton of money on grocery store protein bars. They are always so expensive. And the more affordable ones are packed with sugar. Take a look at some of your favorite protein bars. The first few ingredients are always sugar!! Instead of going out and purchasing expensive and unhealthy energy bars, make a lot of protein bars at home! This recipe will show you how to make the best homemade protein bars to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Protein bars are supposed to provide the body with protein, not spike the blood sugar! Make these easy homemade protein bars for a great post-workout snack and avoid the sugar rush.
These are the best protein bars because they are ridiculously easy to make, especially with just a few simple ingredients you may have sitting around in your pantry. I like this recipe because it is adaptable to what you have. You can use what you have, adjust the amount of protein sweetener, or even get creative with mix-ins! They are the perfect bars to customize to your liking.
You can make a big batch and freeze some of them, or just individually pack them into baggies ready to go for your kids, partner, or yourself as a great option for a high protein snack. You will love this recipe for healthy protein bars!
Homemade Protein Bar Ingredients
Peanut butter: swap this for any nut or seed butter. Try almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower butter if you are nut-free.
Protein powder - use any protein powder on hand. Remember, the protein bars will grab the taste of the protein powder you use. So make sure you like the flavor! I love using the vegan protein powder from Nuzest because they are made with minimal, wholesome ingredients and are easy to digest. They have a few different flavors:
Vanilla - tastes like a smooth vanilla shake.
Coffee - great for coffee lovers, for that morning coffee flavored post workout smoothie!
Just natural - this one only has 1 ingredient and is great in savory recipes. I like adding it to pancakes or waffles!
Rich chocolate - tastes like a thicker milkshake, not overly sweet! Note this will change the color of the base.
You can use the code JAZZ to get a discount on your order - buy here!
Agave - swap for honey or maple syrup.
Chocolate bar - use semi-sweet, milk or dark chocolate chips instead!
Coconut oil - swap for olive oil or avocado oil. This just helps the chocolate glaze get smooth and shiny!
How to Make Homemade Protein Bars
To create the protein base, in a large mixing bowl, combine the nut butter, protein powder, agave, vanilla, and salt. Stir it together until a thick, dough-like consistency is formed. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a bit more nut butter or a splash of water to achieve the desired texture.
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Press the protein mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a solid base.
To melt the chocolate, chop the chocolate bar into smaller pieces and add it to a microwave-safe bowl. Add the coconut oil to the chocolate. Microwave the chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Pour the smooth melted chocolate on top of the protein base and spread it evenly to coat the entire surface.
Place the loaf pan into the freezer to chill and set for 60 minutes until the bars are firm.
Once set, remove from the loaf pan and place it onto a cutting board, slice into 8 equal slices.
Store the protein bars in an airtight container in the fridge for freezer! The fridge will yield a softer texture, and the freezer will yield a more firm texture.
FAQ
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Yes, instead of natural peanut butter, you can substitute any nut butter of your choice, such as almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter.
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Use your preferred protein powder, whether it's whey protein powder, pea, soy, or any other plant-based protein powder.
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Yes, you can use honey, maple syrup, or another liquid sweetener as a substitute for agave.
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Absolutely! The chocolate coating is optional. If you prefer, you can leave the bars uncoated or drizzle with a smaller amount of chocolate.
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Stored in an airtight container in the freezer or refrigerator, these bars can last for several weeks. They can be enjoyed straight from the freezer or allowed to thaw slightly.
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You can use dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate according to your preference. Dark chocolate is a popular choice for a richer flavor.
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You can customize the recipe by adding chopped nuts, dried fruit, or other mix-ins like chia seeds, almonds, or bananas to the protein base for added texture and flavor.
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Is there a way to adjust the sweetness of the bars? Certainly! You can adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of sweetener (agave) to suit your taste preferences.
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Yes, you can use a different pan, but adjust the thickness accordingly. A square or rectangular pan of similar size should work for these homemade bars.
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The bars can be made vegan by choosing plant-based protein powder and ensuring the chocolate used is dairy-free. To make them gluten-free, use a certified gluten-free protein powder.
Creating your own homemade protein bars is a cost-effective and healthier alternative to store-bought protein bars. With this easy, no-bake recipe made with natural ingredients, you can enjoy a delicious, protein-packed snack that can be customized to whatever you want. Give it a try, and start making your own protein bars today. Your wallet and your body will thank you!
Easy No Bake Homemade Protein Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter or any nut butter
- 2/3 cup protein powder
- 1/4 cup agave
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 oz chocolate bar (dark or semi-sweet)
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- To create the protein base, in a large mixing bowl, combine the nut butter, protein powder, agave, vanilla and salt. Stir it together until a thick, dough-like consistency is formed. If the mixture is too dry, you can add a bit more nut butter or a splash of water to achieve the desired texture.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Press the protein mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a solid base.
- To melt the chocolate, chop the chocolate bar into smaller pieces and add it into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the coconut oil to the chocolate. Microwave the chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Pour the smooth melted chocolate on top of the protein base, and spread it evenly to coat the entire surface.
- Place the loaf pan into the freezer to chill and set for 60 minutes until the bars are firm.
- Once set, remove from the loaf pan and place it onto a cutting board, slice into 8 equal slices.
- Store the protein bars in an airtight container in the fridge for freezer! The fridge will yield a softer texture and the freezer will yield a more firm texture
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
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