No-Bake Protein Granola Bars With Oats and Peanut Butter
This protein granola bar recipe makes 12 no-bake bars from rolled oats, protein powder, peanut butter and honey, with mini chocolate chips for sweetness. It takes about 15 minutes of work and an hour in the fridge, and each bar has about 290 calories and 13 g of protein, based on USDA FoodData Central values.
Quick answer
Warm 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey and 1/4 cup milk until smooth. Stir it into 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup protein powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp salt, fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, press firmly into a lined 8×8 pan and chill for 1 hour. Cut into 12 bars.
Protein Granola Bar
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Protein Granola Bar Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup (about 100 g) vanilla or unflavored protein powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup natural creamy peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla bean powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup chopped nuts or seeds (optional)
How to Make Protein Granola Bars
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment, leaving an overhang on two sides.
- Whisk the oats, protein powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
- Warm the peanut butter, honey and milk in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth and pourable. Stir in the vanilla bean powder, if using.
- Pour the warm mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until no dry oats or powder remain.
- Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes, then fold in the chocolate chips and the nuts or seeds, if using.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan with the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until firm.
- Lift the slab out by the parchment and cut it into 12 bars with a sharp knife.
Nutrition Facts
Per bar (1 of 12) (estimated)
- Calories: 290
- Total fat: 15 g
- Saturated fat: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 19 g
- Protein: 13 g
Estimated from USDA FoodData Central: SR Legacy values for rolled oats (FDC 173904), cinnamon, salt, unsalted creamy peanut butter (FDC 172470), honey (FDC 169640), whole milk and semisweet chocolate (FDC 167976), plus USDA Branded Foods label values for a vanilla whey protein powder (FDC 2338621). The optional nuts or seeds and vanilla bean powder are not included. Protein powders vary, so check your label.
Why These Protein Granola Bars Hold Together
Warm peanut butter and honey act as the glue. Heating them briefly thins them so they coat every oat flake, and as the bars chill the fat in the peanut butter firms up again and locks everything in place. The other step that matters is pressing: pack the mixture hard into the pan to squeeze out air pockets, or the protein granola bars crumble when you cut them.
Protein Granola Bar Nutrition
| Per bar (1 of 12) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 290 |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Total fat | 15 g |
Most of the protein in each protein granola bar comes from the protein powder (about 6 g per bar) and the peanut butter (about 5 g per bar), with the rest from the oats. Protein powders differ widely, so the label on yours is the best guide to the final numbers.
Choosing a Protein Powder for Granola Bars
- Whey or a whey-casein blend gives the softest, chewiest bars and the mildest flavor.
- Plant-based powders (pea, rice or soy) absorb more liquid; add 1 to 2 tbsp extra milk if the mixture looks dry.
- Flavored powders are usually sweetened, so taste the mixture and use a little less honey if needed.
- Measure by weight if you can. A cup of powder can weigh 80 to 120 g depending on the brand; this recipe is based on about 100 g.
Easy Protein Granola Bar Variations
| Variation | Change |
|---|---|
| Almond butter and cherry | Use almond butter and swap the chocolate chips for chopped dried cherries |
| Chocolate peanut butter | Use chocolate protein powder and add 2 tbsp cocoa powder |
| Nut-free | Use sunflower seed butter and pumpkin seeds |
| Crunchy | Replace 1/2 cup of the oats with crisp rice cereal |
Storing Protein Granola Bars
Keep the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week; they soften at room temperature because of the peanut butter. For grab-and-go snacks, wrap them individually. They also freeze well for up to 3 months: wrap each bar, freeze, and thaw in the fridge or for 15 minutes on the counter. If you meal prep, our meal prep guide covers more make-ahead snacks, and overnight oats use the same rolled oats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make protein granola bars without protein powder?
Yes. Replace the powder with 1/2 cup more oats and 1/2 cup ground flaxseed or almond flour. The bars will have about 7 g of protein each.
Why are my protein granola bars crumbly?
They were not pressed firmly enough or the mixture was too dry. Add a tablespoon more milk or honey, press hard and chill fully before cutting.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, but maple syrup is thinner, so the bars are slightly softer. Chill them a little longer.
Do I need to bake protein granola bars?
No. These are no-bake bars that set in the refrigerator, which keeps the protein powder from drying out.
How much protein is in one protein granola bar?
About 13 g per bar when the batch is cut into 12, based on USDA FoodData Central values.
Sources
Featured photo: Unsplash
