Making your own protein snack bars couldn’t be any easier with this recipe! These quick, no-bake Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars are made with oats, peanut butter, and some protein powder for an extra filling snack with 10 grams of protein in each bar. Gluten-free friendly.
Get ready for the easiest, quickest, and best peanut butter protein bars around!
Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars
I couldn’t not add a chocolate topping, but we’ll get to that in a sec.
Peanut butter is making up the base of these homemade protein bars today, which means these are definitely going to be a crowd-please. I used a 100% pure peanut butter, nothing added. Mine was pretty drippy, so if you’re going that route give it a good stir before adding in the honey and coconut oil.
What You Need
- peanut butter
- honey
- coconut oil
- rolled oats
- hemp hearts
- chia seeds
- protein powder
How to make Peanut Butter Oat Protein Bars
- The peanut butter, honey and coconut oil go in the microwave to melt together.
- Add your peanut butter mixture to your dry ingredients.
- Then press the mixture into a lined pan.
- Put in fridge to set.
These bars are SO EASY and take about 5 minutes to throw together.
VOILÁ. Homemade, wholesome Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars done.
Of course after the bars set, I decided I definitely needed some kind of topping. Naturally chocolate came to mind. But then I thought, “What if I added MORE peanut butter?…. HOLLA.” And so a peanut butter chocolate drizzle was born. You could do this a couple different ways, realistically. But what I did was melt 3 TBS mini chocolate chips + 2 tsp coconut oil, then stirred in 3 tablespoons of peanut flour until it was smooth. Then we DRIZZLE.
The peanut butter chocolate topping is just another way to sneak even more buttah into these bars Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars. It might not be 100% necessary, but it sure is tasty.
Watch the video to see how they’re made
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Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes (includes chill time)
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Making your own protein snack bars couldn’t be any easier with this recipe! These quick, no-bake Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars are made with oats, peanut butter, and some protein powder for an extra filling snack with 10 grams of protein in each bar. Gluten-free friendly!
Ingredients
for the bars:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
- 3 TBS hemp hearts or flaxseed meal (can omit)
- 2 TBS chia seeds
- Scant 1/2 cup organic protein powder*
- ¾ cup all natural peanut butter*
- 1.5 TBS coconut oil
- ⅓ cup + 1 TBS raw honey (or brown rice syrup)
optional peanut butter chocolate topping:
- 3 TBS peanut flour
- 2 TBS mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Line 8×8 pan with parchment paper, set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together dry ingredients (oats through protein powder). Set aside.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, add peanut butter, coconut oil, and honey. Microwave for 10-15 seconds, and stir until evenly combined. Add this to dry ingredients, stir gently until mixture is evenly combined. Mixture will be thick and heavy.
- Press mixture into prepared pan, using hands to press evenly into all corners. Place pan in refrigerator for about 45 minutes to set (or 20 minutes in freezer).
- Once bars have set, lift parchment paper from pan and place on cutting board. Using a large sharp knife, cut bars into 12 servings.
- If using topping, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in microwave for 10 second intervals. Once completely melted stir in peanut flour until no lumps are present. Drizzle peanut butter chocolate on bars and allow to set, about 15 minutes at room temperature.
- Store Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars in airtight container in fridge up to 2 weeks, or in store in freezer for longer period of time. Enjoy!
Notes
*I used Tera’s Whey Vanilla protein, and 1 serving=2 scoops. 3 scoops comes out to be a little less than 1/2 cup for this brand.
If using plant protein, you may need to add 1-2 TBSP milk to help bring the mixture together so it isn’t as dry – plant protein will absorb the dry ingredients differently compared to whey.
*For the peanut butter I used a “drippy” kind with no added ingredients
-Nutrition approximate; does not include PB chocolate topping
- Category: snacks
- Method: mixing bowl
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 10
- Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 21
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
Keywords: peanut butter bars, homemade protein bars, gluten free protein bars
So just make these, mmmmkay?
Christina says
Yummmm I used to make bars like this all the time. Totally using this recipe to make them again! I’ve been dying for some protein bars, might as well make my own!
★★★★★
Ashley says
You won’t be disappointed 😉
Randi Field says
Hello Ashley, do you happen to have all the nutritional information on the recipe?
Calories, carbs, sodium, fat saturated.. I could figure it out but if you had a rough idea that would be great:)
Thank you for sharing <3
Ashley says
Hi Randi – I do actually have approximate nutrition info for this one. 1/12 (1 bar of 12 servings) 237 calories. 14g fat. 4g saturated fat. 7mg cholesterol 18mg sodium. 21g carbs. 3g fiber. 10g sugar. 10g protein. Again, that is approximate based on the ingredients I used – unsalted and no sugar added peanut butter, high quality vanilla whey protein powder, etc. Hope that helps!
Randi Field says
thank you so much for the quick reply. I have tried these and modified them a bit, but the idea is genius. Thank you and i wish you all the success!
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Ohhhh girl look at that peanut butter!! Sometimes, you gotta make a recipe AGAIN… Pretty much every time I make muffins it’s the same recipe just a different flavor. After all, why change something that works?
Ashley says
AGREE. No need no need <3
rachel @ athletic avocado says
Love the extra PB you snuck in there! Can never have too much 🙂 Also that thickness <3
Ashley says
heehee, thanks Rachel!
Pragati // Simple Medicine says
These look amazing. I might need to make a batch for this week. I’ve been struggling with protein snack ideas; my go-to’s are getting boring!
Ashley says
Ah I hope you make them! They are so tasty 🙂 I’d been getting a little tired of my other base so these are definitely a new favorite.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
Okay…. that DRIZZLE makes me want to make these bars right about now. When in doubt, add more peanut butter is my motto 😉
Ashley says
I just ate my last one yesterday and thinking about whipping up another batch right NOW 😀
Ashlyn // Dollop Of Yum says
Yum, these look amazing! Need to get in the habit of making protein bars more often and I’m definitely going to have to try out this recipe. 🙂
Ashley says
I hope you do! They don’t even taste like protein bars. When I made the chocolate one’s for Hello to Fit, my husband ate two right in a row and I think he thought they were dessert… lol
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The topping is never optional…never!! Hahaha! <3
These look super good Ashley! Totally would love it if you'd send me some? Okay thanks! 😉
Ashley says
Haha, true!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
YUM! I need these bars. How do you get your chocolate swirls so pretty too? Haha…mine always come out looking like a 4 year old did it.
Ashley says
lol my OCD tendencies :-p
Chelsea @ Healthy Fabulous Life says
Love the chocolate drizzle on these! I’m always looking for new bar recipes!!
Ashley says
Thanks Chelsea, hope you give em a try! 🙂
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
I love making homemade protein bars and these look SO good! Especially with that chocolate drizzle! <3
Ashley says
Can never go wrong with more chocolate! Thanks Kristy 🙂
Caroline says
These look amazing! And super easy to make. Your photography is great – what kind of camera + lens do you use?? XOXO
Samantha @ What's Up, USANA? says
These look so good! Will have to give them a try. I’ve been needing something to snack on in the middle of my work day and this sounds perfect 🙂
Emily Weir says
These look SO good. Definitely going to give them a try this next week. I much prefer the option of making my own protein bars to spending so much money buying them.
Ashley says
Thanks Emily! I agree, I feel like finding a good store-bought bar can be such a trial and error process sometimes. When you find a homemade recipe that works, it’s easy! Would love to hear if you give em a try 🙂
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Shut your face, 5 minutes?! I can like DO 5 minutes!!!
Ashley says
It’s crazy easy and you must make! I made the chocolate ones again and they’re so gooooodd
Mel @ The Refreshanista says
Ohhhh yummy! I love that chocolate PB drizzle on top! I gotta make these 🙂
Ashley says
I hope you do Mel! They’re such a good snack. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Natalie @ A Fit Philosophy says
Oh WOWzzaaa! When can I sign up for your oat bar deliveries???? YUMMM!
★★★★★
Ashley says
Haha maybe one day! 😉
Rachel says
Love this mixture! I make a protein ball recipe similar to this every week to have on hand but the problem is that they usually only last like 2 days because they’re so tasty…lol
Ashley says
Lol right?! Make a quadruple batch and freeze em 🙂
Jess @hellotofit says
Oh heeeey! These look JUST as fantastic as the lovely bars you made for my site. GAH. I’ve noticed that when I make snacks ahead of time, adding chia seeds is a MUST! Well…besides nut butter 😛
Get ready for some comments on comments on comments! <3
Ashley says
lol yesssss <3
Melissa says
Do you think these would still taste decent with either half the honey to reduce the carbs or do you think the texture would turn out the same using maple syrup?
They look super yummy, but the carb to protein ratio is a bit high for my needs. Trying to find a way to reduce the carb count but keep protein count higher! Suggestions?
Ashley says
Hey there! If you’re looking to reduce carbs, I think you’re going to need to do a combo of reducing both the honey as well as some of the oats in order to keep the texture similar. If I were looking to reduce the carbs I would personally try just 1/4 cup of honey, and maybe try reducing the oats 1/4 cup as well? So 1 +3/4 cups of oats total. If the mixture seems a little dry without adjusting the other wet ingredients, try adding in 1 TBS of liquid at at time. Let me know how it goes! P.S. If you’re looking for a particular ratio/set of macros, I would love to see what I can do for a future recipe. Feel free to email me fitmittenkitchen@gmail.com 🙂
Britney says
Made these a few days ago and they are all devoured already! I used Vega protein powder and it turned out fab!
Ashley says
Ah yay! So glad you love them 🙂 and thanks so much for letting me know about the Vega protein! I haven’t quite gotten around to trying my plant protein with these yet.
Pal says
I’m so far behind on my blog comments, bud. These are TREMENDOUS. Really SO tasty. I used flax instead of hemp hearts and they turned out perfect. Yesterday I asked Andy how his lunch was and he said “Those protein bars are really, seriously good.” 😀
★★★★★
Ashley says
lol YAY. They’re so simple too! Glad Andy enjoyed 😀 ly <3
Alison says
Yum! And every family member loved too! I used vegan protein powder (TJ’s pea protein powder) as that’s what I had on hand. Also put the choco chips inside to help encourage my son.
Love what you do and want to make everything!! Keep up the amazing recipes, positivity and humor!
★★★★★
Ashley says
Wow thank you so much for your comment Alison! I am so glad your whole family enjoyed them 🙂 And thank you for your kind words! They truly mean so much 🙂 Let me know if you make anything else!
Brandy Smelcer says
These are my go to bars for my kids and husband. He loves to take these hunting…I ended up adding coconut flakes, smashed up pretzels, and sometimes peanut M&M’s on my last batch. I also use vegan protein powder. THANK YOU!
Ashley says
Yay so glad you love them! Thank you so much for your comment 🙂 I love the addition of pretzels and m&ms –My husband would love that!
Nyla says
How many carbs and protein
Ashley says
Hi there Nyla, nutrition information is going to be approximate, and will vary depending on products and protein powder used. But roughly 1/12 of the recipe is : Calories 240. Fat 14. Carbohydrates 21. Sugar 10. Fiber 3. Protein 10.
Hope that helps!
Anthony says
Will they melt or get disfigured if i take them out in room temperature because i plan on bringing them to work
Ashley says
They should stay pretty well together! Room temp should be fine, just don’t let them sit out in the heat 🙂
Jenna says
Just finished making these!! omg they are awesome and super easy. I added melted dark chocolate on top. I even think next time i will add shredded coconut to the mixture.
Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Ashley says
Hi Jenna, so glad you love the bars and thanks for your feedback! I appreciate you taking time to stop by and leave a comment – it means a lot 😀
Anne says
My husband and I love these. You have to have exactly the right peanut butter or else they are crumbly.
Mary Lee Lux says
I like the idea of the topping but I don’t have peanut flour can 1 tablespoon of peanut butter be used instead of the peanut flour.
Ashley says
Hi Mary, You could likely mix in Peanut butter but probably only 1/2 Tablespoon with the chocolate chips when melting. I don’t think you need a full tablespoon here. Or you can just stick with a melted chocolate topping. Hope that helps!
Liv says
Do you have any suggestions to substitute out the coconut oil? Want to try these but don’t have the oil at home!
Ashley says
You should be fine to sub with another oil actually! I just made these recently and subbed with sunflower oil because I’m sensitive to coconut right now 🙂
Linda Kerris says
Omg, these are fantastic! I do meal prep every week so I’m alway scouring the internet for various recipes. These will become a regular thing for me and my clients!
Ashley says
So glad you love them, Linda! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and share here 🙂