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.

A tray filled with Chocolate Chip Protein Bar batter sits ready to go into the oven for baking.

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.

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe

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.

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

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 powderMore 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

An oven display set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

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.

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe

Knead all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined.

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe

Spread out the batter on a cookie sheet or other baking dish (I used a quarter sheet). Press dough down evenly over the pan.

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe

Bake at 350F. for 15-20 minutes or until the bars are a nice golden brown color.

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

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.

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Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe Card

Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe

Need a healthy snack on the go? These cinnamon chocolate chip protein bars are great to keep on hand for those “hangry” moments.
4.34 from 3 votes
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Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 15 bars
Calories: 230kcal

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.
    An oven display set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Knead all ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
    Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe
  • Spread out the batter on a cookie sheet or other baking dish (I used a quarter sheet here).
    Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe
  • 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.
    Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 105mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 2.2mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1.7mg

4.34 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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313 Comments

  1. Charlene Chambers says:

    Great and yummy recipe. Made it and my husband and I LOVE It. Thanks so much, I am following all of your recipes.

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

  2. I am about a month in, and still haven’t made my trips to those, but am waiting with so much excitement! I think I will be making these for my hubby tonight 🙂

  3. graciouspantry says:

    What is it you want to substitute?

  4. graciouspantry says:

    What is it you want to substitute?

  5. Charlaonebay says:

    What are grain sweetened chocolate chips?

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Check out http://www.SunSpire.com. They make them. They aren’t completely clean, but closer than any regular chips I’ve found.

  6. Super yummy! I made them today. Thank you. Just wondering what protien powder you used? It says 21 grams of protein per bar, but when I did the calculation it only came to 10 grams per bar.(15 bars) I used 1 cup, which was 4 scoops at 25 grams per scoop.

    Did I miss something?? Thank you!

    1. graciouspantry says:

      Alex – It really depends on the powder you use. I used 100% whey.

  7. graciouspantry says:

    Awesome!! Glad you liked them!

  8. graciouspantry says:

    Alex – As I say in my disclaimer, the data is not exact. The web site I used for the data sometimes has to use substitutes to come close to what the correct data is. So there is a chance that the numbers are off.

  9. graciouspantry says:

    I always bought it in the bulk section at Whole Foods. So I’m not sure what the brand it. I’m sure any health food store could help you locate some. Just get the unflavored stuff.

  10. graciouspantry says:

    My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed them!

  11. graciouspantry says:

    I would freeze them. In the fridge, they probably last about a week. In the freezer, much longer. Best of luck and congratulations!

  12. Tiana_wanson says:

    Just made these! I had just a little and they are good! I cut the honey to 1/3 cup and made up for the calories with about 1/4 cup chocolate chips!

  13. graciouspantry says:

    I always used 100% whey. I bought it in bulk at Whole Foods. Sadly, they stopped carrying it.

  14. graciouspantry says:

    Awesome! So glad you enjoyed them!

  15. Scrip2artist says:

    How many bars does this recipe make? I’m trying to figure out your serving size vs. the nutritional info.

    1. graciouspantry says:

      It’s just below the title. 15 bars.

  16. these are AMAZING I left out the honey, because I didn’t have some in the house at the time.

  17. graciouspantry says:

    Yes, that would account for the difference. Glad it turned out so well!

  18. Cassandra says:

    These are delicious! Great for when I don’t have time to make a meal or if I forget to bring a lunch to work. Saves a lot of money too, thanks!

  19. This is so GOOD! I used choc pb protein and added unsweetened coconut and walnuts. YUM! Thank you!