11 Healthy Homemade Protein Bar Recipes | Life by Daily Burn (2024)

Holy grocery bills — those store-bought protein bars sure aren’t cheap! While a protein bar can be a convenient way to fuel up before or after a workout, some varieties contain a long list of artificial ingredients and added sugars, which can do more harm than good. Luckily, these homemade protein bar recipes have none of the junk and all of the protein, thanks to energy-boosting ingredients like nuts, nut butters, and protein powder. Can’t have whey? Swap in a vegan protein powder instead.Make your bars ahead of time and enjoy them all week, whether you’re snacking on-the-go or need an easy snack to pack in your gym bag.

RELATED: 16 Healthy Homemade Energy Bar Recipes

11 HomemadeProtein Bar Recipes

1.“Chubby Hubby” Protein Bars

Peanut butter, almond milk, oat flour and a generous amount of rice protein powder make up the base of this decadent bar that gets its name from the bestselling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor. Though the recipe is easy to follow, you may have a hard time waiting for them to refrigerate overnight!

Recipe: Jessica / Desserts With Benefits

2.Blueberry Bliss Breakfast Bars

Gluten-free and vegan, these bars are packed with healthy dried fruits and nuts, while almond butter, maple syrup and applesauce bind the nutty goodness together. Your belly will be full of happiness, since each serving packs eight grams of protein and four grams of fiber!

Recipe: Kelly / Inspired Edibles

3.Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars

Pure pretzel and peanut buttery bliss with nine grams of protein? Count us in! These bars are low in fat (only three grams per serving) and high on flavor. If you don’t have soy crisps on hand, try using crisped rice cereal instead.

Recipe: Amy / Foods for the Soul

RELATED:15 Healthy Snacks for Kids (And Grown-Ups, Too)

4.Strawberry Protein Bars

Don’t be fooled by the pretty in pink color! These strawberry and coconut bars pack a serious amount of protein — 17 grams per bar. Coat them in antioxidant-rich dark chocolate for an even more divine bite.

Recipe: Gabriel / One Clever Chef

5.German Chocolate Protein Bars

Healthy protein disguised as dessert? Yes, please! Dates, oat flower, cocoa, coconut, and pecans pack a delicious punch. If your dates are too dry to use, try soaking them overnight before chopping them in a food processor.

Recipe: Sarah / The Sweet Life Online

6.Ginger Vanilla Protein Crunch Bars

Made with crystallized ginger, coconut, vanilla, and almonds, there’s plenty of flavor in these dairy- and gluten-free bars. Bonus: You don’t need a food processor to make these extra-hearty snacks.

Recipe: Kristinia / Spabettie

7.Quick ‘n Easy No-Bake Protein Bars

No oven, no problem. Use peanut butter (or your favorite nut butter) mixed with rice crisp cereal and oat flour as a base for these easy no-bake bars. Dress up your eight grams of protein with some chocolate.

Recipe: Angela / Oh She Glows

8.No Bake Almond Fudge Protein Bars

Super easy to make, and super difficult to resist! These bars are perfect for those with peanut allergies, or those who are allergic to spending hours in the kitchen. It will only take you 10 minutes to mix up the oats, almond butter, honey, and rice cereal (though you might get impatient waiting 30 minutes for the bars to set in the fridge!).

Recipe: Amanda / Running With Spoons

9.Fudge Brownie Chocolate Protein Bars

Quash mid-afternoon hunger with these bars that pack seven grams of protein per serving. Blend black beans, cocoa powder, protein powder, and chocolate chips in a food processor, bake and then refrigerate overnight. And for serious chocolate fiends, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top before popping them in the oven.

Recipe: Katie / Chocolate Covered Katie

10.Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Made with six grams of protein per bar, these chocolatey, peanut buttery bites will put store-bought snacks to shame. If you don’t own a food processor, you can purchase oat flour at most grocery stores. To keep it vegan, simply replace the whey protein powder with aplant-based varietyand use maple syrup in lieu of honey.

Recipe: Emily Miller / Life by DailyBurn

11. Chocolate Protein Bars

Whether you’re looking for an energizing treat post-workout or just craving something sweet, these no-bake bars are the ultimate almond and chocolate delight. Made with filling almond butter, rolled oats, cocoa powder, and protein powder, you’ve got yourself a dairy- and gluten-free treat that’s lower in sugar than most energy bars.

Recipe: Lee Hersh / Life by Daily Burn

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Originally published October 2013. Updated July 2016 and April 2022

All images via Shutterstock

11 Healthy Homemade Protein Bar Recipes | Life by Daily Burn (2024)

FAQs

Is it OK to eat one protein bar everyday? ›

One or two protein bars a day are well within the recommended intake. But remember: the more protein-rich fruit and nut bars you eat, the more calories you're getting – something to bear in mind if you want to stick to a balanced diet.

Are homemade protein bars good for weight loss? ›

Whether it's to build muscle, fuel your workout, keep you feeling full between meals, or support weight loss, protein bars can be a great addition to your diet. There are many protein-rich ingredients that work well in homemade bars, and there's a good chance you can find at least a few that you enjoy.

How long can homemade protein bars last? ›

Homemade protein bars don't keep as long as the ones you buy. If stored in a non-airtight container, homemade protein bars will be past their best after about 3 days.

What ingredients should not be in protein bars? ›

6 Ingredients to Avoid in Protein Bars
  • Sugar alcohols. ...
  • Carrageenan. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Sugar and high fructose corn syrup. ...
  • Casein and whey. ...
  • Other miscellaneous synthetic ingredients. ...
  • Optimum Nutrition Opti-Bar High Protein Bar. ...
  • Go Macro.
Dec 4, 2016

Will I gain weight if I eat a protein bar every day? ›

Protein bars meant to be used as meal replacements can be high in calories. Although higher-calorie bars are appropriate for a hearty snack or light meal, eating higher-calorie bars can lead to unintended weight gain over time if you don't consider how those calories fit into your diet as a whole.

Is protein bar good for belly fat? ›

Protein bars aren't magical weight loss tools – but they're a smart addition to any weight loss regimen when used correctly. Implementing protein bars into your diet needs to follow a calculated approach. Overdoing it might lead to weight gain instead of loss. Start by assessing your daily calorie needs.

Are protein bars good for belly fat loss? ›

Yes, when added to a calorie-restricted diet and paired with regular exercise, protein bars can aid in fat reduction. Protein bars are an important aid in the weight reduction process because of their high protein content, which can increase satiety, maintain lean muscle mass, and boost fat burning.

What to eat instead of protein bars? ›

Real Food Options
  • Lowfat yogurt and fruit.
  • Lowfat cottage cheese and fruit.
  • Snack size can of tuna and whole grain crackers.
  • Ready-to-eat whole grain cereal and milk.
  • Dried fruit and nut mix.
  • Whole grain bread spread with peanut or almond butter.
  • Hummus with vegetables or whole grain pita.
  • Homemade fruit smoothie.

Is it OK to live off protein bars? ›

While protein bars can be enjoyed regularly, consuming them as meal replacements or as your primary protein source isn't recommended. Pay close attention to nutrition labels, as many protein bars contain added sugars, saturated fats and other low-nutrient ingredients.

What are the long term effects of protein bars? ›

Excessive protein intake, often found in protein bars, can strain the kidneys and liver, leading to long-term health complications. Moreover, the inclusion of added sugars or artificial sweeteners can disrupt blood sugar levels, contribute to sugar cravings, and negatively impact gut health.

Why can't kids have protein bars? ›

"So when parents give these bars to their kids as snacks, it can often lead to too many calories in the diet." She also said that she would never recommend a protein bar that is made with artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. Another important point Dr.

What ingredient in protein bars cause gas? ›

The culprits often include the use of ultra-processed ingredients like erythritol, as well as protein powders like whey or plant-based alternatives. Additionally, artificial sweeteners and low fibre content can further contribute to digestive discomfort.

Are protein bars bad for inflammation? ›

Protein bars seem like they should effectively replace a meal and keep you moving without slowing you down, but be wary of the ingredients. "Lots of protein bars and ladened with added sugars, making them really inflammatory," says Marissa Meshulam, MS, RD, CDN.

What happens if I eat a protein bar every day? ›

They are high in sugars: Many commonly available protein bars at the supermarket contain added sugars. Eating these daily can be harmful in the long run, as we all know that high sugar intake can increase weight, body fat, and tooth decay.

What happens if you only eat 1 protein bar a day? ›

A protein bar once in a while is fine but eating one every day could prevent you from getting essential nutrients. Even the healthiest protein bars are heavily processed and may lack some nutrients found in fruits and vegetables.

What would happen if I only ate protein bars? ›

most protein bars are intended as a “healthy snack”, but lack many nutrients and are usually sugar loaded, then there are a few intended as a meal replacement (has to be written clearly on the label), but even if they are considered a full meal replacement, eating nothing but protein bars will get old very fast, they ...

Are one protein bars a meal replacement? ›

ONE Bars are gluten-free and come in 15 different flavors—but no matter which flavors you choose, each bar provides 20 grams of protein. ONE protein bars are not intended to serve as meal replacements, but they can be a great way to increase your protein intake between meals.

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