12 Homemade Protein Bars and Bites That Beat Anything in the Snack Aisle

You grab a protein bar at the store, look at the price, then look at the long list of ingredients you cannot pronounce. Sound familiar? Making your own is easier than you think, and it is way more fun. These homemade protein bars and bites use simple pantry staples, come in cozy fall flavors, and most of them never see the oven. They are a tasty way to help you stay full between meals..

No Bake Peanut Butter Almond Flour Protein Bars

This is the bar that started the homemade craze on social media, and it only takes 10 minutes. Peanut butter, almond flour, a little honey and a scoop of protein powder press into a pan, then get a thin chocolate topping. They taste like a peanut butter cup, but they are much more filling. Which do you reach for in the afternoon: (A) something sweet, (B) something salty or (C) both?

You will need: 1 cup natural peanut butter, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups almond flour, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil.

How to make it: Line an 8 by 8 pan with parchment. Stir peanut butter, honey and vanilla until smooth. Mix in almond flour, protein powder and salt until it forms a soft dough. Press firmly into the pan. Melt chocolate with coconut oil and spread or drizzle on top. Chill 1 hour, then cut into 12 bars.

Pumpkin Protein Balls

These little bites are breaking out in searches this fall, and they taste like pumpkin pie in one bite. Pumpkin puree, oats and a scoop of vanilla protein roll into soft balls with warm spices. Keep a jar in the fridge for an easy afternoon snack. Kids love rolling them too.

You will need: 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1/4 cup almond butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips.

How to make it: Stir pumpkin, almond butter and maple syrup in a bowl. Add oats, protein powder and spice and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Chill 20 minutes so it firms up. Roll into 1 inch balls. Keep in a covered container in the fridge up to 5 days.

Pumpkin Pie Protein Bars

Want pumpkin pie for breakfast? These bars are as close as it gets. A soft oat base with a creamy pumpkin layer and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. They bake in 25 minutes and slice into neat squares. Which flavor wins fall for you: (A) pumpkin, (B) apple or (C) gingerbread?

You will need: Base: 1 cup oat flour, 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil, 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Filling: 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1 egg, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice.

How to make it: Heat oven to 350 F and line an 8 by 8 pan. Mix the base and press into the pan. Bake 8 minutes. Whisk all the filling ingredients until smooth and pour over the base. Bake 22 to 25 minutes until just set. Cool, then chill 2 hours before slicing.

Apple Pie Protein Bites

All the cozy flavor of apple pie, rolled into a bite you can eat on the go. Dried apple bits and cinnamon give them that bakery taste, and a scoop of protein powder adds staying power. They taste even better after a night in the fridge.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup finely chopped dried apples, 1/3 cup almond butter, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of nutmeg.

How to make it: Mix oats, protein powder, dried apples and spices. Stir in almond butter, honey and applesauce until it holds together. Add a spoon more applesauce if it is dry. Roll into balls. Chill 30 minutes. Store in the fridge up to 1 week.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bars

Raise your hand if you have ever eaten cookie dough straight from the bowl. These protein bars give you that same taste, with no raw eggs and almond and oat flour in place of regular flour. Soft, sweet and loaded with chocolate chips.

You will need: 1 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup oat flour, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/2 cup cashew butter, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, pinch of salt, 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips.

How to make it: Line a loaf pan with parchment. Stir cashew butter, maple syrup, milk and vanilla. Add flours, protein powder and salt and mix into a dough. Fold in chocolate chips. Press into the pan and chill 1 hour. Cut into 8 bars.

Protein Bars Without Protein Powder

No protein powder in the pantry? No problem. Greek yogurt, peanut butter, oats and a few seeds give these bars a solid amount of protein from regular food. It is a searched topic for a reason, since many people prefer simple whole ingredients. Would you try them: (A) yes, (B) maybe or (C) I like my powder?

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 2 tablespoons hemp seeds, 1/4 cup chopped peanuts, 1 teaspoon vanilla.

How to make it: Heat oven to 350 F and line an 8 by 8 pan. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl until sticky. Press very firmly into the pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden at the edges. Cool fully, then chill 1 hour so they slice clean. Keep in the fridge.

Gingerbread Protein Bites

Holiday baking season is coming, and these bites let you enjoy gingerbread flavor any day. Molasses, ginger, cinnamon and cloves make them taste like a cookie from grandma’s tin. They are soft, chewy and ready in 15 minutes. Roll them in a little coconut for a snowy look.

You will need: 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/3 cup almond butter, 2 tablespoons molasses, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch of cloves, shredded coconut for rolling.

How to make it: Pulse half the oats into flour in a blender. Mix with the rest of the oats, protein powder and spices. Stir in almond butter, molasses and maple syrup. Roll into balls and roll in coconut. Chill 20 minutes. Store in the fridge up to 1 week.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Protein Bars

Remember crispy rice treats from your lunchbox? This grown up version keeps the crunch but swaps the marshmallow for peanut butter and honey, with a scoop of protein and a chocolate top. They are a big hit with teens and a great after practice snack.

You will need: 3 cups crispy rice cereal, 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder, 3/4 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips.

How to make it: Line an 8 by 8 pan. Warm peanut butter and honey in a pot just until smooth, then stir in vanilla and protein powder. Fold in cereal until coated. Press firmly into the pan. Melt chocolate and spread over the top. Chill 1 hour and cut into 12 bars.

Blueberry Oat Breakfast Bars

Bright, fruity and soft like a muffin, these bars are perfect for busy mornings. Fresh or frozen blueberries bake into a tender oat base with Greek yogurt and a little lemon zest. Grab one with your coffee and you are out the door. Want even more ideas? See our high protein snacks that keep you full longer.

You will need: 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 cup blueberries.

How to make it: Heat oven to 350 F and line an 8 by 8 pan. Mix oats, protein powder, baking powder and cinnamon. Whisk yogurt, eggs, maple syrup and zest and stir in. Fold in blueberries. Spread in the pan and bake 25 to 28 minutes. Cool and cut into 9 bars.

Low Sugar Oat Protein Bars

If you want a bar that is less sweet, this one is for you. Mashed banana does most of the sweetening, so you only need a spoon of honey. The texture is chewy and hearty, and you can change the mix ins every time. Coconut, seeds, raisins, they all work.

You will need: 2 ripe bananas mashed, 1/3 cup almond butter, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 cups rolled oats, 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder, 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut.

How to make it: Heat oven to 350 F and line an 8 by 8 pan. Mix banana, almond butter and honey. Stir in oats, protein powder, flaxseed, seeds and coconut. Press into the pan. Bake 20 minutes until firm. Cool completely before cutting into 10 bars.

Adult Snack Pack With Homemade Protein Bars

Those little lunchbox snack kits were the best part of being a kid. This grown up snack pack brings that feeling back. Cut one of your homemade protein bars in half and add fruit, cheese, nuts and a few crackers in a box with sections. It is fun, filling and great for work days or road trips.

You will need: 1 homemade protein bar cut in half, 1 cheese stick or a few cheese cubes, 1/2 cup grapes or apple slices, a small handful of almonds, 5 whole grain crackers, a few pretzels, a bento style container.

How to make it: Cut the bar and the cheese. Wash and dry the fruit, and toss apple slices with a little lemon juice. Fill each section of the container with one item. Close and keep in the fridge. Make 3 to 4 at once on Sunday for the week.

How to Store Homemade Protein Bars and Make Them Ahead

A little prep on the weekend means a good snack is always ready. Most no bake protein bars and bites stay fresh in the fridge for about a week and freeze well for up to 3 months. Wrap each bar so you can grab one at a time. Do you prep snacks on Sunday?

You will need: Parchment paper or wax paper, airtight containers or freezer bags, a sharp knife, a marker for dates.

How to make it: Chill bars fully before cutting so they slice clean. Wrap each bar in parchment. Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 7 days. To freeze, place in freezer bags with the date and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or 15 minutes on the counter.