These easy peanut butter protein bars are no-bake and contain only four simple ingredients. A great workout snack to boost your energy!
Years ago, my sister-in-law introduced me to these peanut butter protein bars. I was immediately intrigued when she said they're fast and easy. A healthy snack option to keep you filled and energized in between meals. They actually taste good and are not chalky!
Homemade Protein Bars
Whenever I try store-bought protein bars, I think they taste way too chalky and lack flavor. That's one of the main reasons I love this homemade version. It's NOT chalky at all!
Use only 4 ingredients from the pantry: peanut butter, oatmeal, whey protein and honey. Although there is a 1 hour chilling time to firm the bars before you can actually eat these, the mixture whips together within 5 minutes.
Recipe Variations
Try mixing in your favorite chocolate chips, nuts, or flax or chia seeds.
You can use maple syrup or agave instead of honey!
Some have tried this with almond butter or another nut butter. I haven't tested these, but give it a whirl!
Sprinkle each bar with a tiny speck of sea salt if you wish!
Storage
The chilling time in the refrigerator is only to firm up the bars quickly. Otherwise, these protein bars store on the counter in an airtight container at room temperature. I actually just keep them in the pan and cut a slice when the craving strikes. I have never tried storing these in the freezer.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Many of you told me you made these into cookie dough protein balls. This is a great idea! Take the mixture, and roll into 2-inch balls. Store them in the fridge so they keep their shape. Try mixing mini chocolate chips or your favorite nuts into the batter before you roll them.
I hope you love these as much as we do!
Helpful Equipment
Pyrex Baking Pan (I use the smaller 7x11 of this set, which comes with a very hand 9x13 that I use all the time for other recipes)
Parchment Paper (you can also find this at any grocery store, or use wax paper)
Microwave Safe Bowl (8 cup size or 2 quart)
Made This Recipe?
Made it and liked it? Leave a star rating, take a photo and tag me on social media @seededtable so I can share it!
This recipe was originally published March 2016.
Recipe Card
Easy Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- ¾ cup honey
- 1 ½ cups quick oats (not instant)
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder
Instructions
- Line a 9x9-inch or 7x11-in pan with parchment paper.
- In an 8-cup microwave-safe bowl, heat the peanut butter and honey on high for 30 seconds; stir. Place bowl back in the microwave and heat for another 30 seconds. Stir again. Mix in the oats and protein powder until combined. Immediately spread evenly into the prepared pan.
- Refrigerate, uncovered, for 1 hour. Remove from the fridge and cut into 12 bars. Cover and store on the counter at room temperature for up to 1 week. (I just store mine in the same pan with a lid.)
Video
Notes
- Nutrition information is an estimate only.
- You can store these in an airtight container in the fridge, but room temperature is fine.
- Try rolling mixture into dough balls for a different variation.
- Mix in your favorite mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts.
Nilbia Guzman says
I made these and turned out perfect using your instructions. The only thing is they were too sweet for me due to my health. Is their something else I can use instead of honey? Thank you
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Nilbia,
I'm not trained in health and nutrition, so I cannot give you an exact answer. But if I were to try to make it a little more unsweet I would probably use almond butter instead of peanut butter, and maybe agave nectar in place of the honey. I haven't tested this though so cannot guarantee the results. Hope this helps!
Ri says
Flavor is fine, but I found the texture a little off putting. My boyfriend said they remind him of fudge, and my sister had a less favorable review that it reminded her of putty. I think if you prefer a grainer, less moist granola bar this may not be the recipe for you. Rating 4 stars because they are edible, they just don't match with the preferences in our household.
S says
They're good, but the oats are still just raw oats, and they kind of get stuck to your teeth. I wonder if it would be better if we put the mixture back in the microwave to kind of cook the oats a little, making them softer and blend better?
Nikki Gladd says
Thanks for the feedback. I've never had the problem of noticing the raw oats. Are you using quick oats and not regular rolled oats? (Not instant, either)
Susan says
These are amazing ! I have used chocolate protein powder as well as vanilla. Both are great but I prefer the chocolate powder. Also, I add Maldom Sea Salt flakes to the top and press the flakes in. I always look forward to my workday snack when I have these made. My husband gets excited for them too! Thank you for this wonderful and simple recipe!
Nikki Gladd says
Thank you, Susan! I love that you make it with the chocolate powder 🙂
Maria Bakkers says
This looks delicious! I’ll be adding it to my Eid menu, for sure! And I think it’s a sign that I have all of the ingredients in my kitchen right now. My husband and I might get an appetizer before dinner tonight!
Maria says
These look great, I don’t like protein powders, any suggestions? thinking if I could simply use flour or grind up some oats finely instead.
Mary says
I just made these with the following amounts: 1 c peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey, 1 cup vanilla protein powder, and 1/2 cup old fashioned oats. I cut them into 16 squares. They came out perfectly- thanks for a great recipe!
rosie vianco says
It would be helpful if you listed the macronutrient breakdown of protein, fat and carb grams as well as just the calorie count
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Rosie,
I've been slowly updating my posts to include more nutritional information and just updated this one upon your request. Thanks!
S says
The nutrients are going to vary based on what brands you use. I used cronometer to enter a new recipe, with the brands i used and it does the rest.
Kris says
These were so easy, and tasty. I have a hard time eating breakfast but these are small and great with a cup of coffee. For those saying it was crumbly....microwave your honey and peanut butter until runny....everything combines better and makes a nice dough you can pat into your dish.
Hannah Hoon says
Hi when you say 1 cup of protein powder do mean 1 cup measuring cup or the the scoop that comes with the protein powder thanks
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Hannah. 1 measuring cup. Thanks!
Brittany says
When you mentioned that these protein bars were not chalky, I was all in. Protein bars do sometimes have that chalky taste and these absolutely do not. This is such a great recipe and it is very simple to make!
Alex says
Definitely use a protein powder whose taste you like, because the protein powder flavor comes through. That said, I used a plain/unflavored/unsweetened pea protein and still quite enjoyed these! Very simple to make. Mine were a little crumbly before going in the pan but pressing firmly they came together 🙂
Josee says
Can you freeze the bars?
Yami says
Just made these, they taste great! 🙂 Thanks!
Edwina says
I made these and they were delicious. I love a quick and simple recipe. And it's good to know exactly what's in your protein bars by making them at home. My kids loved them too. I'll be making these again.
Amy says
I'm allergic to oats. Is there an alternative grain that you think might work as well?
Anonymous says
Excellent recipe! I used cookies and cream protein powder and topped with mini chocolate chips. Kid favorite, mine too!
Nikki Gladd says
Yum! That sounds like a GREAT variation! Thanks for sharing the idea!
Melissa says
Love!!! My husband has Celiac, and this is a great snack for him and our boys. Thumbs up from all of us!
Nikki Gladd says
I'm so glad! Thanks for letting us know, Melissa!
Meg says
Great recipe! After finding out I"m allergic to soy, which seems to be in every processed food :(, I figured I should try making my own protein bars. Next time I might try using a different flavored protein powder, as my vanilla powder tastes super artificial. I also used regular JIF creamy peanut butter and didn't have any issues with ingredient proportions!
Monica says
I'm also wondering what could be used instead of protein powder. These look great, but I really don't like protein powders, any suggestions? I know it would have less protein, and that's fine, wondering if I could just use flour or grind up some oats finely instead.
Anna R. says
I used to eat bars similar to this that used nonfat dried milk rather than protein powder. I haven’t tried that substitution with this recipe yet, but it may be worth giving it a shot??
J says
Cocoa powder! I make bite size treats similar to these that use peanut butter, honey, cocoa powder, wheat germ, flax meal, chia seeds, etc.
Jo Mixson says
Have not tried yet, but research shows almond flour as a good substitute.
Karen says
I love this recipe. I used almond butter and a chocolate meal substitute powder and it was delicious. I did have to mess around with the amount of Honey a little bit so that the bars weren't so dry. I will make this again
Nikki Gladd says
Thanks, Karen! I would love to try your version!
ilana says
DELICIOUS! I used PEScience Select Protein Peanut Butter Cookie powder, which is my favorite anyway. It added an extra oomph of PB, and let's face it, who complains about something tasting TOO peanut buttery. Easy to make....did it while standing not even 9 feet behind my husband and he didn't even know I made them. Definitely a do-again.
Thank you for posting the recipe!
Emily says
What could I substitute for the protein powder? I'm not a huge fan of protein powders . These look deicious!
Cindy says
Can these be made with other nut/seed butters? Such as SunButter? Has anyone tried this? Thanks.
Kelley Ryan says
Yes I have and its good
Juan says
I followed the recipe and used syrup (similar to Walden Farms) instead of honey. The taste is awesome! I used to buy Daryl's Bars and this recipe is similar...but better.
My only issue is that the texture is all gooey. They're really not bars and I have to eat them with a spoon. Would you have any tips on this? I used syrup (similar to Walden Farms) instead of honey. I don't know if this is a factor.
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Juan,
I'm guessing the bars are gooey because you used syrup instead of honey, as you suggested. Maybe try adding a little more of the oats to firm them up a bit next time -- if you continue to use the syrup. 🙂
Ericka says
Can you make these with pb2
Powder peanut butter?
Julia says
Can you make it without the honey? Or is that crucial to binding it all? Thanks!
Nikki Gladd says
I think it's pretty crucial to binding it, but maybe you can use a substitution instead of leaving out altogether.
Kelley Ryan says
I have made them but I did half the honey and half coconut oil to make ot less sweet !!! And it was good also
Anne says
Is that ingredient list missing water or something because there is not nearly enough liquid to combine the ingredients. I used the amount stated and its just a clumpy powdery mess.
Nikki Gladd says
Hi Anne,
I'm sorry you had issues with this. No, there are no missing ingredients from the list. This is exactly how I make them every time. Maybe it is the type of peanut butter you are using?
Anne says
Possibly, I just added some water and it held together. Tasted really nice too. Thank you.
Anonymous says
How many carbs per bar?
Molly says
How many grams of protein are there in one of these? Thanks!
why n. name says
Nutrition Facts
12 Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 294.7
Total Fat 11.4 g
Saturated Fat 2.5 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Cholesterol 10.0 mg
Sodium 200.8 mg
Potassium 64.3 mg
Total Carbohydrate 30.1 g
Dietary Fiber 3.0 g
Sugars 20.2 g
Protein 20.6 g
Vitamin A 0.0 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 0.3 %
Vitamin C 0.2 %
Vitamin D 0.0 %
Vitamin E 6.7 %
Calcium 0.1 %
Copper 0.4 %
Folate 0.1 %
Iron 5.7 %
Magnesium 0.1 %
Manganese 0.8 %
Niacin 13.5 %
Pantothenic Acid 0.1 %
Phosphorus 0.1 %
Riboflavin 0.5 %
Selenium 0.2 %
Thiamin 0.0 %
Zinc 0.3 %
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Christine Tebbano says
How much protein per bar?