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Homemade Protein Bars Recipe

4.7 from 90 reviews

Homemade protein bars that are easy to prepare, customizable with your favorite protein powder and sweeteners, and optionally coated with rich melted chocolate. Perfect as a nutritious snack or post-workout boost.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups peanut butter or allergy-friendly substitute
  • 3/4 cup protein powder (approximately 90g), unsweetened recommended
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional

  • 4 oz (about 113g) melted chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons oil (optional, to mix into melted chocolate for smoother coating)

Instructions

  1. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter, protein powder, pure maple syrup (or honey), and salt until a uniform dough forms. Make sure to use your preferred protein powder, ideally unsweetened, to suit your taste.
  2. Shape or Pan the Bars: Using your hands, shape the dough into bars or spread it evenly into a lined 8×8-inch baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula for even thickness.
  3. Optional Chocolate Coating: If using, melt the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler. For a smoother finish, stir in 2 teaspoons of oil. Pour or spread the melted chocolate over the shaped dough in the pan or dip each bar individually into the chocolate.
  4. Chill: Refrigerate the bars or pan until completely chilled and set, approximately 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Cut and Serve: If you used a pan, cut into bars of desired size before serving. Store the bars refrigerated to maintain freshness and texture.

Notes

  • Choose a protein powder flavor that you enjoy as it significantly impacts the taste of the bars.
  • For allergy-friendly versions, substitute peanut butter with other nut or seed butters like almond or sunflower seed butter.
  • The sweetener can be adjusted to taste or dietary needs; maple syrup or honey is preferred for a natural option.
  • Adding oil to melted chocolate creates a smoother coating but is not mandatory.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.

Keywords: protein bars, homemade snack, healthy protein bars, no-bake protein bars, peanut butter bars, post-workout snack