Hi, I’m a new mom and now I can never have enough bars. I go to pump and I MUST HAVE thirty seven snacks. The bedside table is bursting at the seams with portable sustenance. If you’re a Hummusapien regular, you may already love my Cookie Dough Protein Bars and Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars. There is no shortage of snack recipes around here.
How to make homemade protein bars
Making homemade protein bars is crazy easy and super affordable versus buying store bought! Pssst–they’re quicker to make than you’d think.
Ingredient tips and substitutions
With almost five grams of fiber, eight grams of protein, and less than ten grams of protein per bar, we’re killin’ the nutrition game! I love that these bad boys aren’t super sweet. Cuz you know a brownie or three is happening later.
Old fashioned oats: Lotsa oats for texture, nutrition, and toasty flavor. Use certified gluten free if needed. Don’t use instant or steel cut here! Great for milk production, too. Walnuts: Super nutty and loaded with brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids. Here for it! Vanilla plant protein: For a protein boost and extra sweetness. My favorites are blends of brown rice and pea protein like this or this. I have not tried these with whey. If you don’t have protein powder, you should be able to sub any combo of oats, ground flax or almond flour, but they will be a lot less sweet. These bars are not super sweet as it is. Coconut flour: I love this stuff because it’s so high in fiber. It’s crazy absorbent, like a sponge. Since it’s so unlike any other flour, I don’t recommend subbing it out. Readers have said ground flax works, too! Hemp seeds: A complete protein with all nine essential amino acids. If you don’t have hemp seeds, you could try chia seeds or coconut. Honey: For a hint of extra sweetness. Maple syrup or agave will also work, but I like that honey is thicker and a bit sticky. Totally optional. Banana: Very necessary for banana bread protein bars! Use extra ripe ones since they’re the main sweetening agent. Vanilla extract + cinnamon: For authentic banana bread flavor! Chocolate chips: I never make banana bread without chocolate chips. Do you?? Chocolate is a must. You can drizzle or just dot with the chips if you’re going for easy breezy.
Which protein powder is best?
I always go with plant-based protein powder so I can’t vouch for how they’d taste with whey. If you try it, holler in the comments! This and this are my favorite plant-based protein powders. You want one that’s sweetened versus unflavored, as that contributes to the overall taste of these bars. If less sweet bars are your jam, feel free to try unsweetened protein. If you don’t have protein powder, you can try swapping it out for more oats, or even throw some ground flaxseed in there!
How to store bars
I like to store these banana protein bars in the freezer because I think the texture is amazing. If they’re too hard right out of the freezer, let them sit for a bit at room temp to soften up. You can store a few at a time in the fridge, but know that they’ll get more brown since the banana will oxidize. You can also roll these into balls if ya like! The sky is the limit, frands.
Craving more snack greatness? Don’t miss my other go-to recipes:
Cookie Dough Protein Bars Matcha Cookie Bites Salted Chocolate Covered Oatmeal Bites Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars Mint Chocolate Protein Bites
2 tbsp chocolate chips ½ tsp coconut oil
This recipe was originally posted on April 6, 2014 and updated on March 2, 2021. Original recipe: ½ cup pitted dates, ½ cup mashed banana, ½ cup walnuts, ½ cup almonds, 1 cup oats, ½ cup protein powder, 2 tbsp ground flaxseed, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp cinnamon. Directions: Blend dates, banana, and vanilla in food processor until very smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and proceed with the directions above.
