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.
Is there an ingredient I can replace for the protein powder? Does the protein powder act as a binder? I’m currently dairy-free, so whey protein doesn’t work for me.
Mary – I would just leave it out. Don’t worry about replacing it. If you really want something, you could try a vegan protein powder like hemp. But it’s not necessary.
What is the shelf (fridge) life of these bars…15 bars would last me over 15 days…would they still be good? Can I freeze them?
Brandy – I would freeze half the batch then. Yes, they freeze fine. Enjoy!
2nd Man’s Wife – That’s wonderful!! Great tip too!
Hi I was wondering if there is something else I can use instead of Peanut butter! We are allergic to nuts!
Holly – For this recipe, it would be tough to sub anything. Do your allergies apply to seeds as well? You could try a sunflower butter or sesame seed paste. Just a thought.
Where do I find chai seeds?
Static – You will need to call around to local health food stores to find one in your area that carries them. Or, you can order them online from Amazon.
Cannot wait to try these with my kids!
Colormeroo – Let me know how they like them!
My family loves these bars. I do have a question though about the protein content. I used two scoops of protein powder instead of one, and I still only came up with about 9 grams of protein per bar. My protein powder has 26 grams of protein per scoop. What type of peanut butter are you using, because I can’t see how your bars have 21 grams of protein in them. Am I missing something?
Cdgoldilocks – Excellent question. I’ll have to check and get back to you. Could be a difference in the protein powders, but I’ll double check.
I figured it out I think. The protein powders come with their own scoop. I was only using one of those “cups”. I am guessing you mean a standard measuring cup of powder.
Cd – Yup! Glad you figured it out. Enjoy!
Melissa – Sure! They’ll just be more chocolaty. Never a bad thing in my book!
Hanna – You got it! I’ll work on it! I was thinking of doing some fiber muffins as well.
These are so yummy! They turned out great; I love the texture and the chocolate chips in them are a nice treat. Thank you- I’ve been looking for a clean, tasty bar with a good consistency. Btw, I LOVE this site and so glad I found it!
Heather – I’m glad you enjoyed them! Welcome to my site!
Arlene – They are chips sweetened with grain sweetener as apposed to the regular corn syrup and other not-so-nice sweeteners. You can locate a store that carries them through their web site: http://www.SunSpire.com.
hi there 🙂 tonight I made your pizza dough and chocolate chip cookies and they were both so yummy! I got all the ingredients to make these protein bars as well, but by accident got chia powder instead of the seeds. Will the powder work in this recipe?
Erica – I’ve never used it, so I can’t say. You can omit it or use a different type of seed though if you have them.
This is going to be my Halloween treat :-)))
Thanks for the recipe !
Psuwife – Enjoy!
I have started making my family these bars and I now have to make double batches (I am feeding 2 -growing!-boys and myself!) a batch only last about 3 days at longest! I was going to say I completely omit the honey and add just an ounce or two extra of applesauce and they taste great. Might be good for people really trying to watch their sugar intake! Thank you for these!!
Liz4fitness – That’s fantastic! I want to work on a new bar recipe, so maybe I’ll use your tip. Thanks!
LuLu – Sounds yummy!
QK – Fabulous! I’m happy you enjoyed them!
Just finished making these and I could not wait to come thank you for the recipe! They are delicious! Very quick to make and so inexpensive compared to store bought bars. My only issue was spreading the mix into my pan; it was very sticky! I ended up spraying my hand with olive oil and flattening it out 🙂 Thanks!
Natasha – Yes, it is sticky. But what a great way to handle the problem! I’ll try that myself next time. Glad you enjoyed them!
Shel – Cranberries would be yummy!
Jennifer – Sure can!
Janick – Wonderful! I’m so happy he enjoyed them!