Protein bars provide a great meal or snack on the go, but they can be expensive if you buy them pre-made. These homemade protein bars are relatively inexpensive to make, and they are a great source of protein.
No-Bake Almond Cranberry Protein Bars
These protein bars have no processed sugar. Instead, they are sweetened with dates. They are also vegan. They are made with an array of high protein, healthy ingredients and finished with dried cranberries for a hint of sweetness.
Place the oats in a food processor and pulse for 10 one-second pulses.
Add the almond butter, dates, chia seeds, flax meal, and water. Run the food processor until all ingredients form a sticky dough.
Turn the dough into a bowl and fold in the dried cranberries.
Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment.
Press the dough into the baking pan.
Chill for one hour before cutting them into squares.
Store squares, tightly sealed, in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information for this recipe and the following recipes were calculated using the Self Nutrition Data tool.
Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 188
Fat: 9 grams
Carbohydrates: 26 grams
Sugars: 15 grams
Fiber: 4 grams
Protein: 5 grams
Coconut Cashew Protein Bars
These protein bars are suitable for low-carb diets. While you can use any protein powder, whey protein powder will keep these low in carbs. You can find whey protein powder at the health food store.
Yields 15 bars
Ingredients
2 cups unsalted cashews
1/2 cup cashew butter (sugar-free)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup protein powder
Dash sea salt
1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil, melted
5 drops liquid stevia
Instructions
Place cashews, cashew butter, coconut, flaxseed, protein powder, and salt into a food processor and process until it makes a coarse meal.
Add stevia to the coconut oil. Turn on the food processor and pour the coconut oil in through the chute. Process until it forms a thick dough.
Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with parchment. Press the mixture into the dish.
Cover and freeze for at least two hours. Cut into 15 bars. Store in a zipper bag in the freezer.
Nutritional Information
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 282
Fat: 24 grams
Carbohydrates: 10 grams
Sugars: 1 gram
Fiber: 2 grams
Protein: 8 grams
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These baked bars have a delicious chocolate flavor with a hint of peanut butter.
Yields 16 bars
Ingredients
1 cup oat flour
2 scoops chocolate protein powder
1/4 cup granulated stevia
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/2 cup skim milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, fat-free
4 egg whites
1/3 cup peanut butter, unsweetened
1/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together oat flour, protein powder, stevia, baking soda, sea salt, and cocoa powder.
In a small bowl, whisk together milk, vanilla, yogurt, egg whites, peanut butter, and applesauce.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold until just combined. There will be some floury streaks and lumps that remain in the batter.
Pour the batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes before cutting into 16 bars.
Store at room temperature, covered, for up to four days.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 74
Fat: 3 grams
Carbohydrates: 7 grams
Fiber: 1 grams
Sugars: 2 grams
Protein: 5 grams
A Quick Snack or Meal
All of the above protein bars are easy to make. With homemade protein bars available, you'll be able to grab a healthy cheap snack on the go.
