I’m sharing a super delicious and healthy recipe for homemade peanut butter protein bars! Perfect for meal prep or grab-and-go snacks. Plus, it’s gluten-free and dairy-free.
Hey! how are you? Have a great week! This week seems to fly by with so much going on all over the place. Between work and my kids, my days are especially hectic, so I reach for quick and easy meals and snacks. That’s why I’m writing today’s article.
How about a little protein bar with your morning coffee?
I love protein bars as an on-the-go snack because they’re healthy and delicious. At the same time, I don’t really like the ingredients in commercial protein bars. This is my top bar now good! bar (Impossible to find, usually in Sprouts), aloha,and Chocolate whole food bar.
homemade peanut butter protein bars
It’s possible to find something that has good ingredients and tastes good, but it can also be a little expensive. Making it at home instead is very easy, much cheaper, and doesn’t require a lot of time or cooking or baking skills. Peanut butter is one of the most popular ingredients used in protein bars (and one of my favorite flavors!). So today I’m sharing a recipe for peanut butter protein bars* that you can make anytime.
*You can also use this recipe to make fun and delicious peanut butter protein balls.
What are protein bars good for?
A quick snack when you don’t have time for a full meal
It can get busy at times, but I value convenience rather than skipping meals just because I don’t have time to make a proper meal. If you have these in the fridge, you can enjoy them with boiled eggs and apples. Perfect for when you don’t have time to actually make something. Can it replace real food? no! However, they can provide additional fuel and nutrients when time is limited or you are in a hurry.
for travel
I love to wrap up my homemade protein bars and throw them in my tote bag when traveling along with my usual ingredients like jerky, tea, apples, chocolate, LMNT packs, trail mix, and tuna pouches. You won’t be able to find your favorite protein bar at the airport, so it’s a good idea to have your favorite protein bar on hand.
Refueling after training
These are perfect if you have to head to an appointment or get back to work immediately after hitting the gym. For a pre- or post-workout snack, these homemade protein bars are packed with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, and they’re portable and mess-free. 😉
midnight snack
As you may have heard, there’s no harm in eating before bed as long as your macros are balanced. When you’re hungry, you may need small amounts of protein and carbohydrates to prevent your blood sugar levels from plummeting during the night and disrupting your sleep. Make sure it’s balanced and not too sweet. This makes these bars a great choice. Some of my favorite bedtime snacks include boiled eggs and fruit, yogurt and grain-free granola, and deli meat wrapped in hummus.
peanut butter protein bar recipe
material
- Vanilla or chocolate pea, brown rice, or whey protein powder (I like NOW Foods, DNS, and Truvani)
- peanut butter (substitute almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or other nut butter)
- oats
- maple syrup
- mini milk or dark chocolate chips
- coconut oil
- vanilla essence
- sea salt
- Monk fruit (*optional, but I like the natural sweetness rather than the artificial flavor)
How to make peanut butter protein bars
Step 1
Grind the oats into flour in a high-speed blender or food processor. Depending on your preference, you can grind it into a fine powder or leave it with a little more texture.
Step 2
Add oats to a bowl along with chocolate or vanilla protein powder and sea salt and mix well.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, vanilla, and peanut butter. If you want it to be less sweet, use mostly almond milk instead of maple syrup. This also depends on how sweet the protein powder is.
Add wet mixture to dry mixture, add mini chocolate chips and stir.
Step 4
Spread the mixture on a 9×9 baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the refrigerator to firm up slightly.
Step 5
Heat the coconut oil and chocolate in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir until melted.
Step 6
Pour the chocolate over the bars and return to the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Step 7
Remove from the refrigerator and cut into sticks. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
homemade peanut butter protein bars
Make healthy and delicious snack recipes to enjoy throughout the week.
1 big scoop (70g) Vanilla or Chocolate Protein Powder (I like NOW Foods, DNS, and Truvani)
3 oz peanut butter
80g Oats (approx. 1 cup) grind into flour
3 oz maple syrup
1 oz almond milk or water
2 oz Mini chocolate chips (plus α) 2 oz For drizzle)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence
a pinch of sea salt
Monk fruit (*optional)
Step 1
Grind the oats into flour in a high-speed blender or food processor. Depending on your preference, you can grind it into a fine powder or leave it with a little more texture.
Step 2
Add oats to a bowl along with protein powder and sea salt and mix well.
Step 3
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, vanilla, and peanut butter. Add wet mixture to dry mixture, add mini chocolate chips and stir.
Step 4
Spread the mixture in a 9×9 baking dish lined with parchment paper and place in the refrigerator to firm up slightly.
Step 5
Heat the coconut oil and chocolate in the microwave for about 30 seconds and stir until melted.
Step 6
Pour the chocolate over the bars and return to the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
Step 7
Remove from the refrigerator and cut into sticks. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Precautions
If your protein powder is sweet, try using more almond milk and less maple syrup. If your protein powder isn’t sweet enough, add maple syrup and a little monk fruit and stevia to taste.
How long do homemade protein bars last?
Most homemade protein bars will keep for 1 to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To make it last longer, you can also store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Are you planning on making these?
Please let me know what happens!!
Shit
Gina
Here are more of my favorite meal prep staples and healthy snacks.
buffalo chicken dip
Homemade sous vide egg bites
chocolate protein bar
5 High-Protein Meal Prep Recipes
chickpea curry salad
Easy meal planning for busy moms
