Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe
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These Chocolate Chip Protein Bars are a fantastic snack you make in batches at home!
I don’t know about you, but paying $4 for a single protein bar puts a bit of a strain on my wallet. Especially when I like eating them on a regular basis. That’s why I love making my own bars. Specifically, this clean eating chocolate chip protein bar recipe. It uses simple ingredients that are easy to find, and I love the flavor.
I came across an article on eHow.com, on how to make your own protein bars. It just gave a general outline, so I printed it out and got to work. I tried several different methods and many different ingredients.
The main thing I found is that the oats you use make all the difference. And it really comes down to personal preference.
If you like a harder, chewier bar, use old-fashioned oats (not the quick-cook kind). But if you use these, be prepared to let the bars sit for a few days in an airtight container before you eat them. Otherwise, it’s very similar to chewing hay (not that I chew a lot of hay, mind you; it’s just the image that came to mind when I tried these bars with the rougher oats).
If you like a softer bar (which I do), then use quick-cook oats (the 3-minute kind).
Other than that, the recipe is pretty basic and very easy.
How Many Protein Bars A Day?
The number of protein bars you can eat a day will depend on your macros and calorie limits. Keep in mind that protein bars were never meant to be a sweet and tasty snack, but that’s how most of us use them these days. However, that’s a great way to get more calories than intended because protein bars are really meant to be a quick meal replacement bar. Not a dessert after you’ve had a full meal.
When Should You Eat A Protein Bar?
The best time to eat a protein bar is when you don’t have time to squeeze in a full meal. This is often in the afternoon when we are in the midst of our work days and just cannot get away for lunch.
How Much Is Too Much Protein?
This will depend on how active you are. Very active people need more protein than those who are more sedentary.
According to the Mayo Clinic:
More than 2 grams per kilogram of body weight each day is excessive.
Mayo Clinic
If this is a concern for you, your best bet is to talk to a registered dietician. While there are plenty of macro calculators online, a dietician will be able to give you the most accurate advice tailored to your own individual needs.
Are Protein Chocolate Bars Good For You?
Store-bought protein bars are rarely healthy. I’m not saying they don’t exist, just that a truly healthy one is hard to find. My best advice to to read the ingredient list.
Can I Use A Different Protein Powder?
Yep! Use any protein powder you are comfortable with. Some folks who are plant-based or vegan will prefer something like pea protein or soy protein. Plant-based protein powder is fine. You can also use brown rice protein powder, but I find that it sometimes has a funny texture that I don’t like. So choose carefully.
About The Ingredients
Oats – Use plain, quick-cooking oats.
Peanut butter – All natural, no sugar added. You can also use almond butter or cashew butter if you prefer. Any nut butter or seed butter (if you are nut-free) will work. Sunflower seed butter is also a good choice.
Honey – Any type you want. You can use maple syrup, but the bars won’t be as sweet.
Apple sauce – Unsweetened.
Dark chocolate chips – Grain-sweetened is best.
Whey protein powder – More info here. Make sure it’s an unsweetened protein powder.
Ground cinnamon – Not cinnamon sugar. Just plain cinnamon.
Chia seeds
How To Make Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Roast the oats in the oven on a cookie sheet, without oil, for 10-15 minutes. Cool completely.
IMPORTANT: BE SURE your oats have cooled down completely from being roasted, or they will totally melt your chocolate chips.
Knead all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
Spread out the batter on a cookie sheet or other baking dish (I used a quarter sheet). Press dough down evenly over the pan.
Bake at 350F. for 15-20 minutes or until the bars are a nice golden brown color.
Cut and allow to cool. Store in a zipper-top plastic bag or food storage container.
Storing Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Freezing Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
These freeze well. Wrap them well and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before eating.
Products Mentioned
- Whey Protein Powder (amazon affiliate link)
More Protein Bar Recipes
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Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe Card
Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- 1 cup peanut butter (no sugar added)
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
- 2 tbsp. dark chocolate chips (grain sweetened is best)
- 1 cup whey protein powder (see link above)
- 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp. chia seeds
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Roast the oats in the oven on a cookie sheet, without oil, for 10-15 minutes. Cool completely.IMPORTANT: BE SURE your oats have cooled down completely from being roasted, or they will totally melt your chocolate chips.
- Knead all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
- Spread out the batter on a cookie sheet or other baking dish (I used a quarter sheet here).
- Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until the bars are a nice golden brown color.Cut and allow to cool. Store in a zipper-top plastic bag or food storage container.
Oh, yum!
What brand of protein powder do you use? I think that is the only thing I need to buy in order to make these.
Sarah –
I really don’t know the brand. I buy it in the bulk section of my health food store. It’s just plain whey with nothing else added.
This recipe sounds delicious and I will give it a try! I just tried to make a clean chocolate chip protein bar a couple of weeks ago and what a total mess I made. I actually ended up wasting all of the ingredients I used PLUS a brand new baking pan because once baked, the “bars” were as hard.as.a.rock. So hard, in fact, I couldn’t even cut the mixture into bars. 🙁
Thanks for posting this because I still have a hankering for those bars! 😉
Jennifer –
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know how you like these.
They have a gentle flavor, nothing that will shout “cookie” or “dessert” at you like some protein bars. But they are good!
Just getting started on my journey to a clean eating lifestyle. Tonight I tried the bars. Delicious! I’m so glad I found this site. I know it will be so valuable to me. Thank you!
Kelly – You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Welcome to clean eating!
What are grain sweetened chocolate chips? Can you get those at a regular grocery store? I want to make some NOW!!! lol…maybe i can substitute with raisins instead until I can get some chocolate chips. Do you think that would work?
Yes, you can substitute raisins as well. In fact, that would probably be pretty yummy!
Thanks so much for the recipe. I did a batch with raisins and another batch with blueberries. They turned out great.
Fantastic! I never would have thought to use blueberries. Maybe I’ll try that next time. So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Hi Tiffany ~ I noticed on several of your recipes you use grain sweetened chocolate chips ~ what is the difference between these and normal chocolate chips? Thanks so much ~ Dawn =o)
Dawn – Regular chocolate chips use regular processed sugar. Grain sweetened chips are sweetened with grains. Hope that helps.
Hi Tiffany!
I am thinking of making these tomorrow – they look really tasty.
This is probably the dumbest question, but how exactly do you roast oats? On what temperature? And do you have to flip them while cooking? Thank you!
Brittney – Not a dumb question at all!
Use a cookie sheet with edges so your nuts don’t roll off. Put the nuts on the sheet (no oil or grease of any kind), and put them in the oven for about 10 minutes at about 350 degrees F.
Some people like to do this at a lower temperature (300 or 325). It all depends on your oven.
Just make sure you oven is really well pre-heated.
Hope you enjoy them!
Made these today with almond butter, honey, and flaxseed instead of chia seeds. OMG… to die for! These are plenty sweet and perfect on-the-go snacks for a busy student.
Brittney – Glad you enjoyed them!
I wasn’t able to find the grain-sweetened chocolate chips in my store but they did have carob chips. Would that be a good substitute? I wasn’t quite sure so I bought dried apples and thought I would make my first batch with that.
Ruby – If you like carob, it’s a fantastic replacement for chocolate. I just don’t care for it, so I never use it. But yes, definitely give it a try if you like it!
I just made these protein bars and they are FANTASTIC!!! I am starting my clean eating journey and this just made my day! Keep the wonderful recipes comming! You rock!
Lindsey – So glad you enjoyed them!
Hi tiffany, I love your recipes and since you’re so clever was wondering if you had any good , clean crock pot recipes (if such a thing exists!)
Dominique – Most of the recipes in my “Soups and Stews” category can be made in a crock pot. But I am also working on recipes specifically for the crock pot. Hope to have them posted soon.
These are really great and so easy to make. I used the honey, and also minced dried apricots instead of chocolate chips. Yum!
Jill – Fantastic! I’ll have to try them with dried fruit. That’s a wonderful idea!
These are absolutely my favorite protein bar! I make these all the time for an easy grab-and-go meal and the extras freeze well. I don’t ever have quick cooking oats since I buy old fashion oats in bulk, but 1/4 cup of water added to the recipe keeps these from being dry! L-O-V-E these!
DeeAnna – Thank you! Thanks for letting me know about the oats. I haven’t had a chance to experiment with them yet. But good to know it can be done!
YUM! Another total win! I used cacao nibs and added a little dried fruit (which I would chop finer the next time I make these). Your recipes rock!
MK – Thanks! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! I’ve heard from folks who have done all kinds of additions to this. You can make them with just about anything and they’ll turn out yummy. Enjoy!
Here is my protein bars. May not be completely clean eating but very good.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Thoroughly Cream:
1 Cup Butter or 2 sticks
½ Cup Peanut Butter really a whole small jar.
1 or 1 ½ cup honey. 2 cups better
Beat In:
3 Eggs 1 teaspoon nutmeg 2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Vanilla 1 teaspoon ginger
Add:
1 Cup All-Purpose Unbleached Flour Spelt flour works
½ Cup Whey Protein powder.
1 teaspoon Soda
(If omitting salted nuts, add 1 teaspoon Salt)
Stir/Press In:
3 Cups Quick-cooking Rolled Oats Can add some steel cut oats.
½ – ¾ C Salted Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts (opt.) Pecans good, raisons ok You might like chopped dried fruit also.
Mixture will be very thick.
Choose Drop, Refrigerate, or Freeze Method –
– Drop by tablespoons onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes or until just golden brown. Remove from oven. Let set a minute or two before removing from cookie sheet.
– Refrigerate – On wax paper, form dough into rolls 1 to 1½” in diameter. Wrap each roll in waxed paper. Chill thoroughly. Slice about 1/4″ thick with sharp knife. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet about 17 minutes. Remove from oven. Let set a minute or two before removing from cookie sheet.
– Freeze – Store rolls in freezer in freezer bag. As needed, slice about 1/4″ thick with sharp knife. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet about 20-22 minutes. Remove from oven. Let set a minute or two before removing from cookie sheet.
Makes about 5 dozen. You can bake some as soon as they’re mixed (drop method), and refrigerate the rest in rolls if you don’t have time to bake them all at once. If you want to keep the dough ready longer, store the rolls in the freezer and bake as wanted. If storing in refrigerator or freezer, you better hide it- the dough tastes good too!
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Harold – Wow! Those sound yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Hi there.. I would love to try this recipe.. any thoughts on a substitution for peanut butter? I am allergic..Do you think I could use sunflower butter instead? Thanks so much, Shannon
Shannon – I believe most nut butters would work.
Could I use chocolate-flavored whey protein powder?
Brooke – You could, but it will change the flavor. I have to say though, more chocolate is never a bad thing!
Made these today with quick cook steel cut oats, opted for honey, subbed dried apples for the chocolate chips and flax seeds for the chia. Pretty darn tasty although the apples don’t really come through. Will have to try with the chocolate next 🙂
Brent – Fantastic! I like making substitutions too. Keeps it interesting!
Love ALL of your recipes so far! Even my boys (4 and 18 months) like these bars, which gives me great peace of mind! One question though. Under the nutrition info it says 21 grams protein, but the pumpkin spice only has 13. What is the big protein difference? Thanks so much for all that you do!!!
Rayna – that is an excellent question. I’ve never compared the two!! Let me look into it after school today and I’ll get back to you.
I made these over the weekend and they were AWESOME! I used all natural chunky peanut butter (super delicious) and substituted chocolate whey protein and flaxseeds. They turned out fantastic. Thanks for the sharing the recipe.
Gloria – Fabulous! I’m so happy you enjoyed these!