No Bake Protein Bars
on Sep 07, 2021, Updated Sep 04, 2024
These No Bake Protein Bars are made with just 7 ingredients. Easy gluten free wholesome homemade protein bars made in minutes!
These no bake protein bars are delicious!
Homemade protein bars are one of my favorite healthy snacks to keep on hand in the freezer. They are easy to make, full of healthy fats and protein, and most importantly they taste amazing!
If you are a fan of classic energy balls or monster cookie energy balls, you will love this recipe!
These protein bars are a great option if you don’t want to spend the time rolling energy bites by hand. Each bar has 12 grams of protein in it and is made with real ingredients you can recognize.
I personally have a hard time finding store bought protein bars that both taste good and don’t have a long list of ingredients. That’s why I decided to make my own.
These and my no bake chocolate protein bars have become my favorite bars!
Ingredients to make protein bars
- peanut butter: I used no stir creamy peanut butter which has a small amount of added sugar in it
- honey: the natural sticky sweetener that helps hold these bars together
- oats: old fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats
- vanilla protein powder
- chocolate chips: this recipe uses a blend of semi sweet and dark chocolate chips
- Flaked sea salt, for topping: this is optional, but highly recommended. It really makes the flavors pop!
How to make no bake protein bars
Step 1: Stir together the creamy peanut butter and honey until combined. I have found it’s easier to do this step first before adding the dry ingredients.
Step 2: Stir in the rolled oats and vanilla protein powder until combined. The protein bar batter should be thick but not too sticky. I used vanilla protein powder for this recipe, but you could also use chocolate or whatever flavor you like.
Step 3: Transfer the peanut butter batter to an 8 by 8 baking dish. I recommend lining your dish with parchment paper for easy clean up.
Flatten down the top of the mixture and spread it evenly into the pan. A rubber spatula works best for this step.
Step 4: Melt the dark chocolate chips and semi sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments until smooth. Stir often to avoid burning.
Step 5: Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer and smooth it out with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle the melted chocolate layer generously with flaked sea salt.
Flaked sea salt is optional, but I love that salty sweet flavor that it brings to sweet recipes like this one. Trust me on this!
Step 6: Chill the bars until the chocolate is set, around 1-2 hours. The chocolate should be hardened on top. Cut the bars into 16 pieces.
How to store
To store these bars, place them in an airtight ziploc bag or container in the fridge or freezer. Personally I like to place them in a ziploc bag in the freezer to have easy grab and go snacks or desserts for weeks. They will keep 2-3 month in the freezer.
Recipe Substitutions
- peanut butter: I have not tried this with another nut butter but I think it would work just fine
- honey: substitute pure maple syrup
- protein powder: try another flavor like chocolate
- chocolate chips: use all semi sweet or dark chocolate, or use dairy free chocolate chips
Absolutely delicious! Wouldn’t think they are healthy and full of protein. Definitely making again.
No Bake Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups creamy no stir peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- ½ cup oats
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- Flaked sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Stir together the peanut butter and honey until combined
- Stir in the oats and vanilla protein powder until totally mixed. The batter should be thick but not too sticky.
- Transfer the peanut butter batter to an 8 by 8 parchment paper lined baking dish. Flatten down the top and spread it evenly into the pan.
- Melt the dark chocolate chips and semi sweet chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments until smooth. Stir often to avoid burning.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the top of the peanut butter layer and smooth it out using a rubber spatula
- Sprinkle flaked sea salt over the top of the melted chocolate layer
- Chill in the fridge until the chocolate is set, or 1-2 hours. The chocolate should be hardened completely
- Cut the bars into 16 pieces and store in an airtight bag or container in the fridge or freezer
delicious and so easy!
Do you use natural creamy PB without sugar? I am thinking of using regular and just cutting down on the maple syrup. I do have to make these vegan. Thanks!
I use the no stir creamy kind, which only has a couple (less than 3g) of sugar per serving. The Natural kind might be more oily, so I’m not sure it would work as a direct substitute, but you could tweak it to work!
Hi Joy. I am trying to find a protien powder thats low carb without using artificial sweeteners… stevia, allulouse and monk fruit are ok… any suggestions?? Still searching… but these sound amazing!!
I unfortunately don’t have suggestions, but if anyone else has one they love please reply here!
Gainful or Truvani, order online!
Absolutely delicious! Wouldn’t think they are healthy and full of protein. Definitely making again