For deliciously nutritious energy on the run, grab a couple of your own homemade Protein Bars! These couldn’t be easier to make and are much more affordable than store-bought bars.
No-Bake Protein Bars Recipe
If you’ve ever stashed up on store-bought protein bars, you know it can quickly empty your wallet. The price of high quality pre/post workout energy in the form of a bar…it adds up fast. Not to mention, many pre-packaged energy bars are loaded with ingredients that leave you scratching your head in doubt.
You’re about to leave all that behind, with these super easy homemade protein bars, made of only 5 pure, natural ingredients. You’ll be rewarded with a nice batch of fresh protein bars that cost way less than your typical CLIF-type store bought bars.
Feel energized, fueled, and happily satisfied when grabbing your own homemade protein bars on the go. And have leftover cash for that latte after your workout, because you can.
Homemade Protein Bars – only 5 ingredients
You’ll love the pure, nutritious, simple ingredients that go into these quality protein bars. All you need are:
- Whole Rolled Oats: whole oats provide a more robust texture than quick or instant oats.
- Real Peanut Butter: we love chunky peanut butter, as it lends a bit of crunch to the bars.
- Whey Protein Powder: feel free to use your favorite flavor, though we highly recommend steering clear of artificial sugars, as those tend to have an unpalatable aftertaste. Our personal favorite is pure, unflavored 100% whey protein powder, which we’ve been using for years.
- Real Maple Syrup or Honey: it just feels better than sugar. Plus, maple or honey has the sticky texture needed to help bind the bars.
- Milk: we use regular cow’s milk, but feel free to use your milk of choice.
- Totally optional: add-ins! We love dried blueberries, chocolate chips, or even drizzled chocolate on top.
Tip: If you’re planning to stash these bars in your gym bag, backpack, or lunch sack, we recommend skipping the drizzle on top. They’ll stay a lot neater that way and you’ll like us more.
peanut butter mixture oats, whey, add-ins
Homemade Protein Bars Keep Well and Freeze Well
These no-bake, 5-ingredient protein bars are JUST the thing for a nutritious energy boost. I make a nice big batch, which comes in handy for pick-me-up snacks when the kids get the munchies. They’re even great for breakfast on the go.
Thankfully, these homemade protein bars keep extremely well at a mild room temperature, stored airtight. They keep even longer if kept in an airtight container or in individual baggies in the fridge. If you like prepping ahead, feel free to freeze some protein bars so you can have them on hand all month long.
dried blueberries 
dark chocolate
Try This Maple Cinnamon BakeD Oatmeal, too:
5-Ingredient Protein Bars (no-bake!)
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These 5-ingredient Protein Bars are super easy, packed with nutrition, and are the perfect pre/post workout fuel. They’re reminiscent of Clif energy bars, but are way more budget-friendly when you make them at home.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup or honey, plus more to taste
- 1 cup vanilla, chocolate, or plain whey protein powder*
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, uncooked
- Optional: 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Optional Add-ins (1 cup): chocolate chips, raisins, dried blueberries, chopped dates, or melted chocolate for topping
Instructions
- In a medium heavy pot, combine milk, peanut butter, and maple syrup/honey over low heat. Stir just until all ingredients are well combined and warmed through. Remove from heat.
- Add protein powder, oats, and optional cinnamon or add-ins. Stir to combine well. Taste and add more maple syrup or honey if desired. (If mixture is too thick to stir, simply add a bit more milk.)
- Lightly grease an 8×8 pan. Press evenly into pan, using firm pressure to compress mixture into desired bar thickness. Tip: use wet or lightly greased hands to prevent sticking.
- Allow bars to cool completely. Once cool, cut into squares. If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate and let cool. Wrap in airtight container and store at moderate room temp for several days, or chilled in fridge for a week.
Notes
Protein powder is to be measured according to standard cups, not the scoops that come inside the tub of protein powder. If needed, check for certified gluten-free labeling.
We recommend using a protein powder made without fake/artificial sugars, as those tend to have a funny aftertaste. We prefer using pure, unflavored 100% whey protein powder. This one is my personal favorite.
Make it dairy-free or nut-free: use almond or coconut milk or any other milk of your choice. Use sunflower butter instead of a nut butter.
If you’re planning to pack these bars to go, use add-ins rather than drizzling on top.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating 🙂
- Category: snacks, breakfast
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade protein bars, oatmeal bars
Here’s my favorite recipe for Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, which the family loves!
These Peanut Butter Cereal Bars are such a delight! Crispy, perfect amount of sweetness, and packed with natural honey and peanut butter!
This Yogurt Honey Dip is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth quickly and nutritiously. My friends love this one!
I love the no-bake idea, and this is definitely a energy snack, thanks! 🙂
Totally! Enjoy, and thanks for coming over today 🙂
Do U think rice protein powder would work instead of whey?
Rebekah, I’ve never tried rice protein powder, but you sure can give it a try! These bars are pretty forgiving! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hi! What’s the nutritional values/content of these protein bars? Thanks in advance!
This really caught my eye with just five ingredients. I am one that buys those expensive protein bars and regret it when I bit into one. Glad to have this recipe.
★★★★★
Hello please help
For some reason they will not set
Been in fridge for hours
Did add more protein powder but
I added bit more milk to get to get nice mixture but will not set grrrrrrr
Hi, Tony. The peanut butter and honey should help it to set when chilled. Be sure you do have enough oats, if your mixture needs more solids. If you added more milk, that could have caused a higher liquid-to-solid ratio. Hope that helps!
Can I switch out the peanut butter for almond butter?
I don’t see why not :). Just adjust the amounts if you need to, since almond butter is sometimes drier than PB. Enjoy!!
This sounds wonderful! And I really love the fact that it’s all natural. I have a few questions. May I use creamy peanut butter in lieu of the chunky? Also, did you use chocolate or vanilla, whey protein powder? I want to use what you used.
I buy organic, to stay away from GMOs. I’m assuming the whey protein is NON-GMO. I’ve never bought that.
Thank you so much, and I look forward to trying this. What a great feeling to know you made such a healthy snack and it’s NOT Frankenfood, like so many “healthy” or “all natural” snacks on the market today.
Beth
Hi, Beth! Yes, you can use creamy PB. I used vanilla whey. There are so many brands available, I’m sure you can find the one you want :). Enjoy!
I’m going to try this soon! I already know I’ll love it. And thank you for sharing your recipe.
Beth
I’m guessing you can pack more protein value into it by adding more whey for more nutritional value protein, typically I buy ones with 20g opposed to the 8g protein in these
Thank you very much for sharing this recipe.I have one question, like when i made it it was where sticky so not able to eat properly all sticked around teeth. Kindly help me . Thanks in advance
Gargi, I’m not sure why you got stickiness, but perhaps if you chill the bars (covered) for awhile, it will resolve that 🙂 Enjoy!
Do you know approximately how many grams of protein are in each bar? And how many bars does this recipe yield? Thanks!
Hannah, the grams of protein will vary, depending on the size of your bar and the brand of whey protein you used, too. Generally, there’s about 8 grams of protein per 2 TB of peanut butter. Most protein powders probably have at least 20 grams of protein per scoop, but again, there’s variation of ingredients in each brand. As for how many bars, that got me thinking to how big/small I cut mine. It can be 8 – 16 bars, depending on the size you cut them. I hope that helps? Thanks for stopping by, Hannah 🙂
Can you freeze these?
Mike, I don’t see why not 🙂 I’d wrap them tightly and freeze them probably up to a few weeks at most. Let them come to room temp before enjoying. Way better than spending a ton on store bars; I can never get myself to justify the cost. Enjoy! 🙂
Hello, I was wondering what 2-3 TB honey meant? Thank you
Hi, Kat! It means 2 to 3 tablespoons. Hope you love it! Thanks for being here today 🙂
1 and a fourth cups of protein powder or just the scoops that come with the container?
Good question, Dina. Yes, it’s actually referring to cups, not the scoops. Thanks for checking 🙂
Has anyone tried these with dairy free milk? I was wondering if almond milk could be subbed in. Thanks!
Hello.
In regards to the Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, can we substitute the butter with anything else?
Thank you 🙂
I haven’t tried, Ana, but my first thought would be to try coconut oil. But you’ll have to tweak it to get the right texture/consistency 🙂
Hello, do you know what the nutritional value of these are? Even if it’s only rough.
Can I substitute peanut butter for say almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc?
Also will it be ok to use almond, hemp, or other type of milk?
Absolutely, Joel! I sometimes do that for friends who have peanut allergies…almond butter, sunbutter, even cashew butter…all good 🙂 And yes for other type of milk as well, though you might get a bit of texture differences with the milk sub. Enjoy and thanks so much for coming over today! 🙂
One of the questions leaves me more confused! I assumed from the recipe that it was 1 1/4 CUPS ~ as in a standard measuring cup. A reader asked if you meant the scoop that comes in the protein powder. Is it 1 1/4 scoops or cups???
Terry, yes, it’s referring to cups. Not scoops. Thanks for finding us today and hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Hello! These look great, but I’m really curious on the nutrition values. I’m new to all this so I don’t know how to calculate it when it’s cooked, so do you have any idea to how cooking it effects the nutrition values or how I could calculate it?
Thanks!
Hello, Ari! 🙂 The minimal amount of stovetop time should not affect the nutritional values at all. These are great for pre-post workout fuel. I typically just use https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ for plugging in some values and getting a general idea 🙂 Hope you love these, Ari.
Hi,I love the sound of this recipe. I’ve just recently tried to make my own protein bar with all organic ingredients (that’s my edge) but they seem to have gone terribly wrong :(I was wondering whether I’d be able to incorporate bananas into this particular recipe as my protein powder is Banana flavour. Could you suggest any changes id have to make or any advice really. Id appreciate it! 🙂
I think you’ll have great success with these bars, Hannah! 🙂 As for incorporating bananas, you can try banana chips or some version of dried bananas. I wouldn’t recommend fresh bananas, as the texture would change and the bars would have a much shorter shelf life. Have fun playing with the flavors!!
How moist are these? they look pretty dense and was thinking of making them for a crossfit competition.
Chrissy, these are relatively dense and moist enough to take along with you – they shouldn’t be crumbly or dry out on the road. If you’re making a batch for a lot of people, you can cut them into smaller bite-size squares and they’ll go a long way. We really like them for tough workouts!
Hello!
I look forward to making your 5-Ingredient, no-bake protein bars! Can you tell me how much fat is in each serving?
Thank you!
Amanda, it should now be showing on nutrition label, which are approximates. Enjoy!
hi
wondering whether normal cooking butter can be used for making proteins bars if nut butters are not avilable
thank you in advance
LOVE this recipe! Very easy to make and so delish!
Yay, Joann! I’m so so happy you love it 🙂
You had me at no bake. Since I promised myself to pick healthier food this year, I am going to make these protein bars to snack on instead of chips. Thanks for the recipe. I will make some this weekend.
★★★★★
Yay, Kristine! 🙂
I used to make these all the time. I just love them. They are so tasty.
★★★★★
So happy you love these, Ashley! They really are tasty 🙂
These sound yummy! Our go to ‘power snack’ is homemade granola bars. Will have to try this recipe next. Thanks!
oh, my goodness! I would love to try this for sure. Thanks for sharing.
I love the recipe and love the chocolate toppings! I am sure this is a perfect dessert for my Chinese new year party.
★★★★★
My kids swim for a club and these would be perfect for snacks during a gala
These look so easy and yummy! I’ll have to give them a try!
Thank you for this easy and healthy protein bar! I went grocery shopping today and forgot to buy protein bars; I made these instead. Glad I made these instead!
★★★★★
Oh, awesome, Susana! So happy you liked these bars 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi, I have digestive issues due to several surgeries done at abdominal area and also have a bolted colon.
Would like to know what can I replace the oats with for easy digestion. Also, can maple syrup replace honey?
Many thanks.
★★★★★
Tricia, would it help to use quick-cooking oats, with the finer texture? Otherwise, maybe try using some rice crispy type cereal (dry) …and yes, maple syrup can be used 🙂
Hi,
I tried this yesterday and they taste very good! Unfortunately I think I put a little bit too much milk when I was mixing it (I don’t like my oak too dry) so the final bar is a bit soft. Can you share a picture of the mixture’s consistency so that I can roughly tell if mine have enough water?
Thank you!!!
★★★★★
The link for the MAPLE CINNAMON BAKE OATMEAL BARS recipe isn’t working.
Link should be working now; thanks, Barbara!
We go through a lot of protein bars in this house and they are SO expensive to buy! I love making them! This recipe is amazing!
★★★★★
Thank you, Leslie!
These look so delicious, filling AND healthy. Chunky peanut butter is the best. I just need to get some unflavored whey protein – I agree, that sounds best!
★★★★★
Thank you!
I made your bars and they were a big hit with my family! They’ve already asked me to make them again
★★★★★
Wonderful, Dennis! 🙂
These protein bars are so delicious! I made a big batch and my family loves having them on hand to snack on!
★★★★★
Thank you!
This is such a really yummy looking protein rich recipe and works with within my diet so yay me for finding this!
★★★★★
All-natural is my thing and I really love the look and sound of these beautiful protein bars. they look so appetising and amazing for a sugar rush craving and not only. We will be giving these a try this coming weekend. I love that they are no-bake too.
★★★★★
I needed a protein snack for a recent road trip and these were perfect. So yummy and easy to make.
★★★★★
So glad you liked these bars, Alexis! 🙂
Taste great! I left them in fridge over night but still gooey. No stiffness at all. What do I do?
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If you’d like them to chill up firmer, add more oats. Hope that helps!
My bars came out a little too moist although they firmed up when I froze them. I used a plant based protein and next time will try cutting down on the amount of milk to 1/4 to 1/3 cup. They taste really good though.
That’s awesome, Alicia! 🙂
What preservatives do I add to it to make it stay longer ..Want to make it for commercial purpose.