These No-Bake Protein Bars are a homemade version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients. They’re the perfect snack after a tough workout.
**Originally published in 2014.**
Hi Friends!
These no-bake peanut butter protein bars have been a favorite in our house for almost 10 years now. I first started making them as holiday gifts for friends at the gym and over the years I’ve continued to make them for friends and family whenever they are requested.
Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars
There are tons of store-bought protein bars out there but they can be expensive and some of them have unnecessary ingredients. These are made with simple ingredients you might already have on hand! Here’s what you’ll need for these bars:
- Oat flour – you can buy this or make your own by simply grinding oats in a food processor or blender.
- Protein powder- you can use any flavor. I most commonly use vanilla but have also made them with chocolate. My favorite protein powder is Promix.
- Rice Chex cereal – this adds some texture. You could also use Rice Krispies or another similar cereal
- Chia seeds – add a boost of omegas and a little more protein
- Peanut butter – our favorite is Crazy Richard’s
- Milk – you can use cow’s milk or plant-based milk
- Honey – for sweetness and to help them stick together
I love making these because they’re easy to put together and keep well in the fridge so you can easily have them on for a post-workout snack or for days when you’re fighting that afternoon slump.
Want more protein snack ideas? Try these:
- Easy Egg Wraps
- Silken Tofu Berry Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Protein Pancakes
- Tuna Quinoa Cakes
- Banana Protein Pancakes
No-Bake Protein Bar Recipe
Here’s how you make them:
PrintNo-Bake Protein Bars
A homemade, no-bake version of your favorite store-bought peanut butter protein bar, without all the crazy ingredients
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups oat flour (simply grind oats in a food processor)
- 1.5 cups vanilla protein powder
- 1.5 cups Rice Chex cereal
- 3 Tbsp chia seeds
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 – 1/2 cup honey, depending on sweetness preference
- 2–4 Tbsp water, if necessary
- 3 Tbsp chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, cereal and chia seeds.
- In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, milk and honey.
- Microwave wet ingredients if peanut butter is not liquidy.
- Add liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Add water if necessary to make sure all dry ingredients are moistened. (Mixture will be crumbly.)
- Use parchment paper to press the mixture into a 9×9 pan.
- Freeze for 20 minutes.
- Cut into 12 bars. Top with melted chocolate chips if desired.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Homemade No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Bars
Feel free to customize to your liking:
- Sub your favorite nut butter for the peanut butter
- Try Rice Krispies or another crunchy cereal instead of Chex.
- Eat them plain or just drizzle with chocolate instead of covering the whole top.
- Use unflavored protein powder instead of vanilla, but you may need to increase the honey and decrease the milk.
Added bonus? You can wrap a batch of these up in some pretty paper and ribbons and give them to a friend as a present at Christmas, their birthday, etc! Want more food gift ideas? Check out my Homemade Edible Christmas Gifts.
Want more no-bake protein bar and ball recipes? Here are some ideas – some don’t require protein powder – plus another protein bar recipe that does require baking.
Peanut Butter Hemp Energy Balls
These Peanut Butter Hemp Energy Balls are packed with fiber and protein for a healthy, kid-friendly snack made without protein powder
My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe
My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe is perfect for kids, nursing moms, athletes and anyone looking for a healthy snack. They’re full of fiber, protein, and healthy fats and easy to prep ahead of time to keep your freezer stocked.
Sweet Potato Protein Bars
These gluten-free, grain-free protein bars make the perfect post-workout snack.
Almond Butter Protein Balls
An easy, no-bake snack idea that’s easy to customize with your favorite mix-ins.
15 Kid-Friendly Protein-Rich Energy Balls| No Protein Powder
Easy No Bake Protein Bars
Hope you like them! Be sure to store them in the fridge – or the freezer if you like them a little colder!
These protein bars make a great addition to your weekly food prep session so you have healthy snacks readily available during the week. If you liked this post, you’ll love my Mastering Food Prep e-course where I teach you everything you need to know about prepping food for the week ahead to make your life easier.
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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I’m not usually a protein bar person either, but the homemade version make them a lot healthier. Another variation is to make them vegan by using a vegan protein powder, almond (or other non-dairy milk), and agave or maple syrup instead of the honey. Thanks for the recipe!
great idea!
Can kids eat these too ? Or too much protein?
6 and 3 year old
They could eat a small one but they don’t really need that much protein. When my kids were that age i just made energy bars or balls without protein powder
I LOVE not having to turn on the oven 🙂 These look super easy! Happy New Year Lindsay!
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I don’t eat a lot of protein bars either, mainly because of my allergies and there’s always something that ends of making my mouth itchy, even if everything on the ingredient list is OK. I would eat them if I made my own and could play around with the ingredients.
it’s always fun to experiment!
Sound delicious! Pinning. A nicely balanced protein bar with the chocolate chips. It IS after all an antioxidant. 🙂
of course! The most important part. thanks for pinning!
Those look amazing! I will save this recipe for when I am back to running as a nice little recovery treat.
I’ve been looking for a homemade protein bar recipe since they are normally so expensive in the store! Thanks for that!
let me know what you think if you try them!
Oh this looks delicious! I am out of protein powder, but as soon as I get more I’m trying these!
let me know what you think!
Yum!! I want to go to your gym! Lol!
These look so good and easy!
I need to try these. I have some protein powder that needs using and an 8 year old who is super skinny and always hungry…
ahhh hope these do the trick!
Yum! I love that these are no bake, and of course that they have nut butter in them 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe!
nut butter makes everything better
These look great! I haven’t been a big fan of protein powder either, but I keep seeing all of these great recipes (like your bars) that include it. Perhaps I’ll have to give it a go!
They’re good to have on hand for emergencies 🙂
these look faaaaantastic!
These look delicious and super healthy! I also try to get my protein from real food sources, but sometimes I’m to busy and things like this are a lifesaver.
Yep! They can definitely come in handy sometimes!
I LOVE easy & no bake!!! 🙂
hope you enjoy them!
Love these!
Awesome – just pinned! Thanks for sharing!! Love how easy these are.
These look awesome! I’m trying to make more protein bars at home, because buying them definitely gets pricey after a while.
There’s always something so appealing about ‘no bake’ 🙂
Thanks for the delish recipe!
I have been looking for some great homemade protein bars because my husband LOVES them but they are pricey! I am going to have to give these a try 🙂
let me know what you think!
These look great!!! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe….looking forward to trying them!
Hope you like them!
Yum…. these look delicious! I’m not really a fan of protein powders either, but I do love a good bar for a gran-n-go snack.
Wow these DO look good! I’m the same way where I’m not huge on protein powders or drinks; I prefer to get my protein from real-food sources. However, there are times when a bar (Especially a homemade one!) comes in handy!!!
I agree completely!
I’ve cut way back on my consumption of protein powders and have been focusing more on real food sources. However, I love homemade protein bars. You can put all your favorite flavors to make the ultimate bar.
Do you think it would still come together nicely if I ground my own oats? Some recipes I have tried in past with my own ground oats haven’t worked out.
that’s what I did! Just ground them up in my food processor.
Yum! I love having a homemade alternative to the powders and packaged bars.
Yum those look really good!
Random question.. I remember a couple months ago you posted something about an online grocery store that you get healthy snacks and baking products from.. I can’t remember which website it is!
Was it swanson vitamins?
Yes, I think that’s it!
Look forward to trying this recipe! Do you crush up the Rice Chex or leave them whole?
I left mine whole. Some get crushed when you’re mixing and pressing into the pan.
Thanks!
Yummy!! Great recipe!!
I bet these would be absolutely awesome with Barbara’s Peanut Butter Puffins cereal!!
Wow. The protein bars look delicious! I love protein bars but it’s nice to make some homemade ones. You can control what goes in them. =)
These look DELISH! I am not a huge protein bar person either but homemade?! sign me up!
My goodness- these look and sound amazing! I’ve pinned them, a must try!
xx Kait
I am admittedly a protein bar addict. Can’t wait to try these!
I can’t stomach protein powder in drinks or pancakes, but maybe in a bar version I could… Because these look delicious!
YES! i was awaiting you to post this after seeing it on insta! Stop making so many things, my food prep can only handle so much :p
Lindsay
What a great recipe! Simple and nutritious especially after a long run! I’m going to definitely try these out!
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I love homemade protein bars! And peanut butter 🙂
These look good – they would make great after school snacks for my boys!
I stopped eating protein bars because of all the weird ingredients! Those look good!
Just got some new Vanilla protein powder. Now I can make these!
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I just made them – they are in the freezer now. Anxious to try them as they smell so yummy!!!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
These were fantastic!!! I grounded my own oats, used organic almond butter and used organic dark chocolate protein powder instead of vanilla (that’s all I had). These turned out great! My entire family LOVED them!! Thanks for this amazing recipe!! Loved it! Going to make them all the time. Love your website too!! Happy New Year and thanks again!! 🙂
Yum, Lindsay! I used to make a similar pb-oat crunch bar… I really need to make these!
Great, another no-bake bar I can try!!! What kind of milk do you use, 2%, 1%, skim or the homo stuff?
I used skim but any should be fine!
I made these and they turned out great! I loved how chewy they are and filling. I used agave instead of honey, almond milk, Nuttzo instead of peanut butter, Cheerios instead of Chex and a mix of almond flour and coconut flour instead of PB. Was very happy with the results.
Yummy! They look really good, I have been thinking that I should consume more protein bars (homemade of course) to supplement my training. Thanks for the idea…..I usually agree with you about not liking protein powder, but if you approve…they must be good!
I will DEF be making these!
enjoy! i just made another batch last night!
For the oat flour, do you mean 1 cup of oats ground up or grind up oats and measure out 1 cup?
grind up oats and measure out 1 cup
Do you know the nutitional info on these bars?
i don’t have it, sorry! you can always put the recipe into my fitness pal to get it though!
These look delicious, Lindsey! I’ve actually never tried using protein powder, but I just might with these. They look like they’d be a great snack to bring along on travels or for my kids when basketball games are during the supper hour and they need something to get them through. Pinning it!
These bars are fantastic! I made them in a muffin tin for easy measuring. I would be curious about the nutrition info compared to the store protein bars. I did use chocolate protein powder and vanilla soy milk…YUMMY!
★★★★★
Great looking recipe, but if I’m being honest I was completely turned off when it read to use the microwave in order to melt ingredients together. I don’t own one because they are so damn toxic to our health!! When I made this, I just combined the peanut butter honey and almond milk, gave it a quick whir in the blender, and voila!! Great recipe, turned out yummy, I just would adjust the microwaving aspect 🙂
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Great to know that it works in a blender. I’m gonna go ahead and leave the microwave directions in there. If people want to find a way around it, they’re more than welcome to- just like you did!
Making these now. Do you happen to know the nutritional information? Fat, calories, protein and fiber?
★★★★
Nope, I don’t, sorry. But you can always put the recipe into my fitness pal or spark people to find out!
These are so yummy! I am giving you a long-distance hug for sharing this recipe. I used Rice Krispies, cut the honey to 1 Tbsp., and added 2 Tbsp. of raisins. They taste like those peanut-butter Rice Krispie bars with the chocolate on top that my grandmother used to make. Oh, I also used 1 scoop of vanilla protein and 1 of chocolate. I think it would be really easy to make these 100 different ways. Never thought of grinding up the oats. I was making another recipe that used dates as the “glue” and sweetner – they are delicious but way too sweet as I am really trying to limit sugar.
yay! i’m so glad you liked them!
Just made them a second ago they are in freezer as we speak can’t wait to try hoping their awesome xx
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hope you enjoy them!
Yummmmmmmmmmmmo
added some dried cherries, cocoa nibs and 2 tsp of unsweetened natural cocoa. They’re great.
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oooh great additions!
Delicious. Thanks for sharing. I added some unsweetened flaked coconut and chopped almonds instead of the chocolate. Wonderful!
awesome additions!
I just used your recipe as a “base” tonight. I didn’t have chia seeds so I took some almonds and cut them down in the blender. I didn’t have any cereal either, so I used rolled oats. Had plain protein, so I added vanilla to the mixture. I also threw in some ground flax. LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!!
★★★★
so glad to hear that! your version sounds amazing!
Well usually spend about 20 pound on a box of protein bars…. Just tried this recipe and now converted…..Taste awsome, thanks x
Does anyone know the calorie count per serving for these? They look yummy.
i don’t…but you should be able to put the recipe into spark people or my fitness pal to find out!
LOVE these!!!! I just made some and instead of running to the store to get Kind bars, I stayed home and made these instead. I used almond milk and pea protein. They are kick a$$!! I need something to keep me going while in college and I think these will do the trick!
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How long do these last? like an approximate expiry date??
Just keep in fridge or freezer and use the same judgment as you would for other foods. I definitely wouldn’t use after 1 week in the fridge.
Hi Lindsay,
I’m so glad to find a no-bake recipe that looks and sounds so good, although in my book, chocolate chips should never be optional. A healthy, high-protein way for me to satisfy my sweet tooth.
they’re never optional in my book either 🙂
These can be REALLY varied. I used vanilla almond milk, and I didn’t have any chex so I used chocolate FiberOne. The protein bar tasted like a peanut butter cup! Also, I drizzed chocolate make from coconut oil, agave syrup and cocoa (which hardens in the freezer.) Delicious and a better value than what I can find at the store. And THANK YOU for the oat flour lesson – never thought of that before.
★★★★★
awesome! so glad to hear it!
These were so easy to make! My daughters and I pulsed a cup of dark chocolate chips (to make them smaller chunks) and added it to the dry mixture. We also used NAVITAS Naturals Superfood Blend (a protein smoothie mix) with Hemp-Cacao-Maca for the protein powder. So fun and easy to make. They taste amazing!!
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Hi! These turned out delicious, however mine came out really gooey? I was thinking maybe less honey? What is the texture that these usually turn out like? I was expecting it to be like a cliff bar. I wasn’t able to cut them into squares, we just kinda grabbed pieces and ate them. But, again, very tasty! Thanks!
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Mine usually turn out a bit sticky, but I’m definitely able to form them to the bottom of the pan and cut into bars. I sometimes cut back on the honey and they still taste fine so that might help for you.
*Please don’t rate this recipe until you’ve actually MADE it! In fairness, I’m rating based on an adjusted version, but that’s better than nothing. 🙂
I’m a vegetarian with a mild dairy allergy (limited, not entirely cut), so protein powder is necessary to support my heavy weight training and active life.
I cut the PB to 5 Tbsp., used chocolate protein powder and flax seeds (what I had on hand) in lieu of vanilla and chia, added cinnamon and 2 tsp. cocoa. I attempted to get by with more water instead of the milk to make them less perishable, but I’d already cut the PB, so I ended up needing a Tbsp. of vanilla soy milk to get the mix to stick together (made all the difference!). Rolled into 10 balls and flattened with my palms into protein cookies at roughly 150 cals and 10 g of protein each.
Best tasting and most forgiving protein bar recipe I’ve made! Thanks so much for sharing!
★★★★★
OH, and plain Cheerios since I had them on hand instead of the Rice Krispies. 🙂
glad to hear it!
I love peanut butter and just found another recipe for protella (protein nutella). I may be overdoing it but going to combine your recipe with protella. May just be to sweet for my sweet tooth.
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Allways bought my bars but thought I would try making them ,so easy and great taste I’m converted I’ll allways make my own from now on
yay! glad you liked them!
Just made these last night. These are YUMMY! Thanks for the recipe! I will keep this one for sure.
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so glad you liked them!
any idea of the nutritional breakdown? curious about the macros and the calories.
thanks.
I don’t know it..but you could probably put the recipe into my fitness pal to find out!
Hi,
I was wondering if you knew the nutritional value on these protein bars?
Thanks!
Sorry just saw the very last comment was about nutritional value! oops my bad.
A lot of people have said this LOOKS like a good recipe (and I am by no means doubting!) but I haven’t seen anyone who said it actually tastes good. Do we have anyone who has tasted this recipe other than the author? Much appreciated!
i made several batches for Christmas presents for folks at my gym and they were well received. i’ve also received good feedback from readers via social media!
I just made these with chocolate protein powder, amazing!! Do they usually keep well in the fridge? I am looking to make these for the week. Do you find they keep for several days to a week? Thank you!!
I usually keep mine in the fridge for 4-5 days!
These are great! Do they normally keep in the fridge for several days to a week? Thank you!!
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Do you have nutritional info on these bars? Protein? Calories? Carbs? Sugar? etc. Might try these as an after weight lifting boost, but really curious what the numbers are. Thanks.
I don’t. But you could easily plug it into My Fitness Pal to find out! Thanks!
Is there a protein powder you recommend? Thanks!
i don’t have one i specifically recommend. if you want a plant-based one you could try Vega or Manitoba Harvest!
I was thinking of trying this with chocolate protein powder since that’s what I have on hand. We’ll see! Cross your fingers!
hope they turned out well!
Thanks for sharing this recipe Lindsay! I’ve just made my second batch using this recipe but this time I tripled the recipe and added shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries. My boyfriend loves them and I’m glad he’s eating these rather than pre-packaged store bought bars.
Just wondering if you know the nutritional facts on these bars-calories, fat, protein, carbs, ect?
i don’t but you can plug into my fitness pal!
I was wonder who many calories and grams of protien per serving. They look and sound great
i’m not sure but you can plug the recipe into my fitness pal to find out!
How big of a difference would leaving the Chia seeds out make? I don’t normally use them, and would rather not need to make an extra purchase.
should be fine without them!
Could I use plain corn flakes as a substitute for the rice checks? I already have a box of those at the house.
i would think so!
I skipped the protein powder and replaced the rice cereal with puffed amaranth, which is a protein source. Split into 9 servings, this came to 7.5g protein per serving. MyFitnessPal came up with 14.7g for the original version with 1 cup of whatever whey protein powder it chose – though there is significant variation in protein content in powders, even between whey powders. A serving of my usual whey powder is 11g protein. I increased the honey to 5T. (Calories: original 253, mine 234.)
I popped the amaranth in my Dutch oven (in a shallow pan, it will just pop right out) a few tablespoons at a time. It looks like very tiny popcorn. 1/4 cup gave me just short of a cup popped. Good quality protein powders are expensive, so this is a frugal alternative, and a good one for anyone not interested in using the powders. I like this nutrtion breakdown for breakfast bars for my 8yo. He doesn’t need Crossfit-level protein content. You could adjust the amaranth vs. oat flour volume to adjust the protein if you want.
They’re super-delicious -thanks for posting this recipe!
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glad to hear it
Love this!! I agree, everyone is all about the protein bars post workout and as much as I’d like them to eat a Greek yogurt with fruit, it’s convenience and portability sometimes! Great idea for a present… pinned!
These look like something I would eat for dessert! Thanks for sharing an economical alternative 🙂
Hello there…..love your blog. This will be my first time trying these protein bars. Question, do you have an estimate of the calories for each serving using your recipe exactly? Thanks
i don’t, but you can always put them into my fitness pal to get an estimate
They look delicious , but how many grams of protein and calories approx. in each bar ?
You’ll have to put the recipe into My Fitness Pal or something similar to get that info. Thanks!
I amended the recipe a bit by replacing oat flour with quick oats and protein powder with ground flaxseed. I also added some almonds and crushed peanuts. They turned out AMAZING apart from being too crumbly (I blame my irresponsible amendments). Do you happen to have any ideas how I could still firm them up or are they bound to stay crumbly? I read something in the internet about gelatin and then baking it afterwards, could that work?
This cooking world is still quite new to me..
Thanks a bunch!
You may need to increase the amount of honey or milk to help them stick together.
Excited to make these! When the recipe says “1.5 cups protein powder (3 heaping scoops)”…which is it? If I use the scoop in my protein powder for “3 heaping scoops” I get less than 1.5 cups. Just wanted to make sure I knew which to use before I wasted 1.5 cups of protein powder if I didn’t need to. Thanks!
the correct amount is 1.5 cups.
YUM, I’ve made these a few times now. So simple and delish. The first time I added the choccy but it’s not essential I find them sweet enough on their own.
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Just took mine out of the freezer after 20 minutes, attempted to cut them and the mix crumbled. :/ I’m putting them back in the freezer for another 20 minutes to see if that helps. Hope these work out! Otherwise, I may need to try again and adjust the the quantities of some ingredients.
These were so good! I used Muscle Milk vanilla protein powder, just FYI. I did add more oat flower and portion powder like you suggested if we needed to. The batter was never crumbly though, but sticky. I still need to wait for them to freeze and add the chocolate but I’d eat then all day the way they are now. Thank you!
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