Homemade Protein Bars – Super Healthy Kids

Our Homemade Protein Bars are made with oats, peanut butter and a drizzle of chocolate.. they are easy to make and are a delicious, healthy, and satisfying snack that might just become a favorite for the whole family!

Why You are Going to Love our Homemade Protein Bars

There are a lot of decent protein bars available on the market today. But they can be expensive, and I like having control over the ingredients that I am feeding my family. Plus- making your own protein bars is so easy! Not only that, but we have tried a LOT of different protein bars over the years.. and these are hands down our favorite. We keep a batch in the fridge at all times. They are perfect for an after school or on-the-go snack before sports practice.

You only need a handful of ingredients to make these tasty little bars. The chocolate drizzle makes them much more appealing to my kiddos, but they are also delicious without it. Customize them however you like! I used peanut butter for my bars, but you can use whatever nut butter you have in the house or whatever works for your family’s allergies.

Ingredients for Homemade Protein Bars:

• Oats– We use regular rolled oats. Oats are filling, nutrient-dense, and a great source of fiber.
• Vanilla Protein Powder– Protein powder is a great, easy way to add protein to homemade protein bars. We like this one.
• Crisp Rice Cereal– adds great texture to the bars. Puffed rice works great too!
• Peanut Butter– peanut butter is essential for binding these bars together. Any nut butter will work here!
• Honey– this is our favorite sweetener for these bars. We haven’t tried any other, but I’m sure pure maple syrup would make a good substitute.
• Vanilla Extract– totally optional, but boosts the yummy vanilla flavor.
• Coconut Oil– coconut oil adds great flavor and texture and helps hold the bars together.
• Chocolate Chips– we always use dark or semi-sweet chocolate.

How to Make Homemade Protein Bars

1. Put the oats in a blender or food processor. Blend until it resembles a coarse flour.
2. Add the oats to a bowl along with the protein powder and crispy rice; stir to combine.
3. Heat the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture. Stir.
5. Press the mixture firmly into a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
6. Melt the chocolate; drizzle over the bars.
7. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars.
8. Store in the refrigerator.

I have two tips for this recipe… ONE: If the mixture seems a little dry, add in a little more of your nut butter.  Each nut butter has a different moisture level so you may need to add a tablespoon extra to keep the bars from crumbling apart. TWO: Press the bars into the pan firmly!  This is what keeps them together so pack them down.  You don’t need to be Iron Man, but make sure you don’t just give it a pat and move on.  Even let the kiddos help!

Tips:

If the mixture seems a little dry, add in a little more of your nut butter.  Each nut butter has a different moisture level so you may need to add a tablespoon extra to keep the bars from crumbling apart.

Press the bars into the pan firmly!  This is what keeps them together so pack them down.  You don’t need to be Iron Man, but make sure you don’t just give it a pat and move on.  Even let the kiddos help!

You can cut these into any shape you want. The loaf pan makes perfect sized bars for kids! But the little squares are perfect for the younger ones.

How to Store Homemade Protein Bars:

You will want to store these protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness, hold their shape, and stay nice and chewy. They will stay fresh for about one month.. if they last that long!

More Healthy Snack Recipes for Kids:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 4 tablespoon chocolate chips melted

• Line and 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

• Add oats to a high speed blender and blend until the oats have turned into flour.

• In a large bowl, add oat flour, protein powder and crispy rice cereal.

• In a small saucepan add peanut butter, honey and coconut oil.  Melt together over medium/low heat and stir until combined, then add vanilla extract.

• Pour peanut butter/honey into dry ingredients and stir. Pour mixture into your prepared pan and press firmly into the bottom until spread evenly.

• Melt chocolate chips in the microwave. If the chocolate is too thick to drizzle, you can add 1 tsp of melted coconut oil to thin it out. Drizzle on top of your bars.

• Let cool in fridge for at least 25 minutes and then cut into bars or squares! Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 86mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg