It’s hot, it’s summer, and you’d probably prefer to spend less time in the kitchen and more time outside so today we’re making some Easy Homemade Protein Bars! This simple protein bar recipe is great for pre-workout, post-workout, or as a quick snack.
Did I mention that you only need 5 ingredients to make them!?
You’re going to start this one by taking out a food processor (I link mine below in the recipe card, it’s cheap!) and adding 3 servings of whole pitted dates into it which is 120 grams.
Cover it up and pulse until a single date ball forms. This should only take around a minute or so depending on how powerful your food processor is.
Next, add into a mixing bowl around 2/3 of a container of Greek yogurt (110 grams), 1 cup of rolled oats, 8 tablespoons of a nut butter or nut butter alternative, and 2 1/2 scoops of protein powder.
Remember, I include both US and metric conversions below.
Pro tip? Add in a stick pack of LMNT Chocolate Salt in for some electrolytes!
Give those ingredients a quick mix.
Once those ingredients are combined you can add in your processed single date ball and mix again until everything is combined.
Homemade Protein Bars
These are your base ingredients. Whatever else you want to add in is completely up to you! Nuts, hemp seeds, chocolate chips, ground cinnamon, dried fruit, and so on all work great.
I went with some hemp seeds and mini chocolate chips this time!
Did you know that about 25% of the calories in hemp seeds come from protein?
With your mix ready you’ll want to take out a baking sheet, pan, or dish and some parchment paper. Whatever you use will be dependent on what you want your homemade protein bars to look like.
Add your mix onto your parchment paper and shape your mix by pressing down into it.
Your mix will be pretty sticky so here’s 2 ways to make it easier for your to shape.
- You can put your mix into the fridge or freezer for 10-15 minutes.
- You can keep your hands damp as you shape it (quickest).
I don’t have a preference here, both ways work great.
From here you can top them, I added on some walnuts. Make sure to press in whatever you’re topping them with!
Last, put them into the oven on 350F/176C for around 12-15 minutes or until your edges start to turn golden brown.
Protein Bar Tips
A couple tips for these?
- You don’t need to bake them but baking them will make them more travel friendly.
- Top them with some protein frosting!
- Switch the flavors up by mixing and matching your Greek yogurt and protein powder flavors.
A couple of my favorite variations:
- Chocolate Protein Powder with Banana Cream Greek Yogurt
- Vanilla Protein Powder with Salted Caramel Greek Yogurt
- Unflavored Protein Powder with Vanilla or Chocolate Greek Yogurt
Question of the day! If you’re dieting right now, are you following a specific diet? Just tracking your calories? Doing your best to eat better? Let me know in the comments below!
Every summer I always like to ask this question to see how things change overtime.
How about some Fudge Brownie Protein Bars next?
Easy Homemade Protein Bars
What We Used
- Oven
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Ingredients
- 4.5 Ounces Dates - Whole Pitted
- 3.9 Ounces Greek Yogurt - Your Choice Flavor
- 1 Cup Rolled Oats
- 2.5 Scoops Protein Powder - Your Choice Flavor
- 8 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
Instructions
- Process your Dates by pulsing them until a single date ball forms
- Mix together your Greek Yogurt, Rolled Oats, Peanut Butter, and Protein Powder in a mixing bowl
- Add and mix in your processed Dates
- Mix in anything else you want like nuts, hemp seeds, chocolate chips, ground cinnamon, or dried fruit
- Line a baking pan or dish with some parchment paper
- Add your mix onto your pan or dish and shape it using your hands (keep them damp and it won't be as sticky)
- Top with whatever you want like some nuts or chocolate chips
- Bake them in the oven on 350F/176C for around 10-12 minutes or until your edges turn golden brown
- Alternatively you can put them into the fridge for a few hours to harden up if you don't want them baked (not as travel friendly)
- Remove them from the oven or fridge and cut them
Video
Notes
- Calories: 1714
- Fat: 66g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Sodium: 961mg
- Carbs: 163g (Net Carbs: 136g)
- Fiber: 27g
- Sugar: 89g
- Protein: 117g
Nutrition
18 Comments
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Delicious protein bars. My protein powder was strawberry flavoured, so it went really well with the peanut butter. They were quite dry and claggy, so I’m going to try and tweek the recipe.
Thank you for the recipe! They turned out delicious, but at the same time very dry and crumbly. Yours, on the other hand, look very moist in the pictures. I followed all the measurements and made no adjustments to the recipe. What should I do next time to make them less dry? Maybe add more yogurt or dates? Thanks!
I’d start with the cooking time (maybe drop it 1-2 minutes) then add more yogurt if that doesn’t work.
Hey Derek, I have an issue with dairy, What could I sub in for the yoghurt?
Have you tried/do you have access to any of the dairy free yogurt alternatives?
These are great! I didn’t have enough peanut butter on hand so I did half with PB2 and turned out awesome. Baked for 12 min. So good!
Sorry found the frosting 🙂
Enjoy!!!
Did I miss what the frosting is? Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Derek, thanks for the recipe. Can I ask how long these protein bars can last in room temperature as I am about taking some of them with me while travelling?
Should be good for at least a few days and possibly more. Hope this helps Henry!
Thanks for the recipe chef, I’ll try it out today, but how could I calculate the calories if I want to add more ingredients like bananas or dried fruit?
Thanks again and best wishes from UAE
Hi Wessam! I almost always add extra toppings and whatnot individually. Hope this helps!
There are plenty of sites that will allow you to create your own recipe and will give you the nutrition info. Or if you use an app like carbmanager you can do it there.
Sorry if I missed this anywhere but do you have recommendations on how long these will last? I am considering making a larger batch and storing the excess. I could potentially just freeze them if needed. Any advice?
I would freeze them over 5-7 days!
I’ve been struggling to get a pre/post workout snack and something to get my protein in as well. I don’t eat nearly as much as I should and I know it effects my energy and gains as well in the gym. I added some coconut to the recipe, but otherwise followed the directions to a surprising end result.
My girlfriend is inherently very sensitive to food tastes, I’m along the lines as long as I don’t get sick, I can eat it. She offered to try it and I told her it’ll have a pretty strong chocolate protein flavor. Her eyes lit up looked at me as if I had given her a puppy, she was genuinely surprised how much she loved the bars. She proceeded to call her mom and sister and have me send them the recipe. I think in the next batch I will add chopped up banana chips, I love bananas and I think they’d give an interesting additional flavor and texture. I’m also considering dehydrating them and see how they turn out. I can see why some people love moist bars, but I tend to like mine on the dry side. I also think they’d last longer and carry better. Thank you Protein Chef!
Love and appreciate the awesome feedback Mario! Thank you!!!