Description
These Homemade Protein Granola Bars are the perfect grab-and-go snack for busy lifestyles. Packed with high-quality protein, healthy fats, and natural sweetness, they’re ideal for fueling workouts, keeping hunger at bay, and satisfying your sweet tooth—all without artificial ingredients or preservatives. This customizable recipe allows you to create vegan, gluten-free, or keto-friendly versions to suit your diet and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or cashews)
- ¼ cup chia seeds or flaxseeds
- 1 scoop (30g) protein powder (whey, pea, or collagen)
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins:
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup dried fruits (cranberries, apricots, or raisins)
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes
Instructions
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, chopped nuts, chia seeds, and protein powder. Mix well.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a small saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter and honey (or maple syrup). Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until everything is evenly combined. The mixture should be sticky and thick.
Press the Mixture into a Pan
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Press the mixture into the pan firmly to create an even layer.
Set the Bars
- No-Bake Option: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set.
- Baked Option: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting.
Cut and Store
- Remove from the pan and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- For vegan bars, use maple syrup instead of honey and plant-based protein powder.
- To make the bars firmer, reduce the amount of sweetener.
- Try different flavor combinations like chocolate peanut butter or coconut almond.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (if baked) or 2 hours for no-bake
- Category: sweet sensations
- Method: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: ~220
- Fat: ~12g
- Carbohydrates: ~20g
- Protein: ~10g