Peanut Butter Protein Bars (2024)

Made with oatmeal, protein powder, honey, and chocolate (for happy measure), these healthy homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars are no-bake and require only a bowl and some elbow grease.

While store-bought protein bars are fine from time to time, nothing tastes quite as wonderful as making your own wholesome homemade protein bars (orOatmeal Breakfast Bars).

• I love knowing exactly what is in these peanut butter protein bars. Just like theseProtein Balls, the ingredients for these peanut butter protein bars are simple and nourishing.
• Also,SO YUMMY. The texture of these homemade protein bars is soft and chewy (check out Peanut Butter Protein Cookies for another melt-in-your-mouth protein treat).
• Money-saving. Protein bars are expensive to buy! Making them yourself is a fraction of what they cost at the store.

As an even-better bonus, these no-bake peanut butter protein bars can be stored at room temperature (like a baked protein bar recipe).

This makes them travel-friendly and easy to keep at your desk or tucked in your gym bag for a post-workout snack.

How to Make Protein Bars

Making peanut butter protein bars couldn’t be easier.

Once you have your ingredients gathered, simply melt, stir, press, and chill. Voilà!

Homemade protein bars ready and on demand for all your snacking needs.

The Ingredients

• 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. (For another healthy peanut butter snack, try this Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie.) For a peanut-free version, swap almond butter, cashew butter, or sun butter.

• Oatmeal. Rolled oats are hearty, rich in fiber, and give the peanut butter protein bars their structure. Using certified gluten-free oats makes these bars safe for those with a gluten allergy.

• Honey. For its natural sweetness and “glue” factor.

• Flaxseed Meal. Omega-3s, please.
• Protein Powder. Pump ’em 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. (For a protein-packed snack without powder, try Oatmeal Protein Cookies.)

• Coconut Oil. To help the bars bind and solidify.
• Chocolate Chips. No ho-hum bars here. These peanut butter protein bars are loaded with the good stuff. Mini chocolate chips are easy to mix in; for a stronger chocolate factor, use dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.

Protein Bar Flavor Variations

This homemade protein bar recipe is super adaptable. Countless readers have shared how they’ve made this recipe their own in the comments. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• Homemade Protein Bars with Raisins. Add a handful of raisins (or other dried fruit) to the mixture.
• Peanut Butter Protein Bars with Chia Seeds. Swap all or a portion of the flaxseed meal for an equal amount of chia seeds.
• Crunchy Homemade Protein Bars. For added crunch, stir in a handful of crisp rice cereal.
• Homemade Protein Bars with Nuts. Throw in a handful of your favorite chopped nuts for some additional healthy fats. Almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts would all be lovely additions.
• Double Vanilla Protein Bars. Add 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract, use vanilla protein powder, and swap the chocolate chips for white chocolate chips.
• Salted Chocolate Protein Bars. Use chocolate protein powder. Drizzle the finished bars with melted chocolate, then sprinkle with flaky salt, such as Maldon or fleur de sel.

The Directions

1. Melt the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a double-boiler and stir until smooth.
2. Remove from the heat and mix in the oats, protein powder, flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Fold in the chocolate chips.

4. Press evenly into a square pan lined with parchment paper, then chill until firm. Remove the bars from the pan and slice them into bars. ENJOY!

Storage Tips

• 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.

• Mixing Bowl. This space-saving set of glass mixing bowls is my favorite.
• Square Pan. A square baking pan with sharp corners and sides is ideal for making perfect homemade protein bars.
• Parchment Paper. Essential for lining the pan for easy bar removal and slicing.

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.