I don’t have a huge sweet tooth, but sometimes I’m in the mood for a healthy dessert. My kids especially love a delicious sweet treat. These homemade protein bars are full of chocolate flavor and creamy, salty nut butter. They’re easy to customize and perfect for a snack or even dessert!
Homemade Protein Bars
Protein is finally getting it’s time in the spotlight. I’m finding more and more high protein recipes in my Instagram feed and I love it! Unfortunately though, not all of them use clean ingredients, or they opt for protein powders with fillers that I’m not a fan of. I’ve used cottage cheese in certain high protein recipes before, but something tells me cottage cheese chocolate protein bars might not be a hit with the kids.
Instead, these use Equip Prime Protein powder. I keep several different protein powders in stock for days I need an easy protein boost. What I like about Equip is that it’s made from grass-fed beef protein. No dairy, no whey, and no plant protein (like soy or peas). While I’m certainly not against dairy or legumes, they can cause digestive issues for some people, including bloating. I’ve noticed the beef protein powder digests easier and doesn’t have a noticeable beefy taste.
Customize Your Ingredients
For the homemade protein bars in the batch pictured here, I used chocolate protein powder. Vanilla will also work, but salted caramel, mint chocolate, or iced coffee protein powder flavors would also be delicious. Equip has all of these different flavors as options.
You can also use whatever nut butter you’d like in these. I used peanut butter, but try hazelnut butter or walnut butter for a flavor twist. There are so many good options!
The recipe calls for oat flour, but you can easily make your own from rolled oats if you don’t have the flour on hand. Simply pulse some rolled oats into a fine powder in a coffee grounder or high speed blender, like a Vitamix.
And if you’re avoiding grains or oats, then try a little coconut flour instead. Start with 1 Tablespoon coconut flour and slowly increase until you get the texture you want. Coconut flour is very absorbent so be careful here.
My kids love these homemade protein bars so much that I make a triple batch whenever I make them!
Homemade Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
These delicious and chocolately protein bars can be made with any nut butter. High in healthy fats and protein for nourishing energy!
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In a medium bowl, mix nut butter and honey until smooth.
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Add Equip protein, oat flour, flaxseed meal, and sea salt. Stir well. It’ll look dry at first.
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Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms.
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Fold in chocolate chips.
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Press mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan and smooth the top.
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Chill for 30 minutes, then slice into 8 bars.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Amount Per Serving (1 bar)
Calories 295
Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 9g
Cholesterol 0.04mg0%
Sodium 276mg12%
Potassium 244mg7%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 0.4IU0%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer.
- For a firmer bar, reduce milk slightly. For softer bars, add a bit more.
- Sprinkle it with sea salt before chilling for that salty-sweet combo.
More Protein Recipes
Looking for more ways to easily sneak more protein into your diet? Give one of these recipes a try!
What are some of your favorite ways to eat more protein? Leave a comment and let us know!
