Chocolate Chip Protein Bars Recipe
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.
You have to click on the stuff you don’t want to print. Works okay for me. Maybe some sort of security setting on your computer?
Awesome! I hope you enjoy them!
PB2 isn’t clean, is it? Just curious. I hope you enjoy them!
Glad you enjoyed them!
I couldn’t follow your link, so I’m not sure if the three items you listed are the entire ingredient list. I would imagine that at the very least, they are a better option, yes. But again, I’m not sure if that’s the complete list. Sorry.
This is our go-to for healthy car snacks! I sometimes add raisins in addition to all of the above ingredients. These are really good!
I’m adopting a clean diet as my resolution this year, and because of my limited budget as a grad student, I’m doing it two to four items per week, but I am super excited about getting everything together and making these so I have snacks on hand during the day!
I absolutely love these, I would love to make them, but..hehehe, unfortunately I don’t like either peanut or almond butter, is there anything else I can sub it with?? thank you so much!
Cashew butter? The flavor is not predominant….
You can find both at most health food stores or on line at Amazon.com
At what temperature do you have to roast the oats in the over before you start?
350 F.
I am allergic to apples. Do you have any suggestions for alternatives? Thank you!
You could try 1/3 cup oil.
My husband is deployed right now and I’d like to make something healthy for him. It takes my packages a week to get to him. Which type of oats should I use so that they are chewy when they get to him?
I’m not sure these are the best choice. But if you want to try it, I would just follow the recipe as is.
Can’t do whey. Would pea protein work?
Sure!
I am *OBSESSED* with these bars! I added raisins to the batter then drizzled the bars with dark chocolate… they taste amazinggg! However, I initially halved the recipe and it came out super liquidy so I ended up having to add almost 1/2 cup more oats and 1/4 cup more protein to thicken it a bit to where it was somewhat similar to your picture. Luckily they came out very delicious anyway and I will definitely be making them again! Thank you!
My pleasure! Glad it worked out. 🙂
If I am making a softer bar, will these oats work?
http://www.bobsredmill.com/quick-cooking-rolled-oats.html
Or are these not necessarily the 3 min oats? I am new to buying oats so keep getting confused with steel cut, quick cook, rolled, 3 minute, etc.
They aren’t necessarily 3 minute oats. If they are, they will say so on the package.
I am making these with chocolate flavored whey (thats all I had), 3 tbsp of raw cacao powder, and chopped almonds (no choco chips) They are in the oven now! The batter tasted great, so I hope the bars are just as good :)) thanks for the recipe!
My pleasure! I’m sure they’ll turn out fine. This is a very versatile recipe. People have done tons of variations.
Are these a chewy or a crunchier bar? Id prefer chewy.
Not crunchy at all. Soft and sort of chewy. Kinda like an oatmeal cookie.
Just made the cinnamon chocolate chip bars. Do I store them in the fridge? Oh long is the “shelf” life?
Yes, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. They keep much longer in the freezer. Up to 6 months.
Dumb question. Do you eat them cold?
Yes.
Thank you for this recipe!! I have been wanting to make my own bars for a LONG time and this recipe was perfect! I used carob chips instead of the chocolate chips (couldn’t find the grain sweetened chips, even at Sprouts). Despite being such a healthy bar, they were tasty! I have been giving a few to my friends and they are liking them, too! Your website is just what I need to change how we eat.
Sharon – Fantastic! Glad you enjoyed them!