I like the idea of protein bars because they are easy to eat on the run and theoretically, they make a healthy snack before or after exercise.
What I don’t generally like is how most of them taste, the ingredients they contain, or their prices.
There are definitely some exceptions (Lara bars are great, for example), but many so-called healthy energy bars are made with low quality ingredients such as soy protein isolate; they also often contain trans-fats.
Homemade protein bars (homemade granola bars), on the other hand, can be packed with nutrient-dense ingredients. They are also super easy to make. This healthy protein bar recipe is so simple to add to or change–just use your imagination to create your favorite customized healthy protein bars.
Homemade Protein Bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
*3 cups organic raw oats
*1/2 cup whole sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or hemp seeds
*1/2 cup unsweetened organic shredded coconut (I like the one from Bob's Red Mill
*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*1 teaspoon Himalayan salt or sea salt
*1/4 cup organic brown sugar
*1 cup Greek yogurt, preferably organic (I use plain; vanilla would make the bars a little sweeter)
*1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey, preferably local/raw
*1 cup organic peanut butter (or use almond butter or the nut/seed butter of your choice)
*1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
*1/4 cup organic coconut oil, liquified if solid (coconut oil will be solid at room temperature in cooler weather)
*1/2 cup chopped organic dark chocolate or chocolate chips (70% dark (or more) is the healthiest; use fair-trade chocolate, possible)
*1/2 cup chopped seeds or nuts or a combination ex. sunflower, pumpkin, or sesame seeds or almonds, walnuts or pecans (or use additional peanut or other nut butter)
*1/2 cup chopped dates, raisins, figs or other dried fruit--optional (if you want the bars sweeter but you don't want to add more sweetener; I don't typically add these)
*up to 1 cup vanilla or chocolate whey protein powder--optional (go with 1 cup if you want the bars to have significant protein content; use 1/2 cup or omit if you dislike the taste or the idea of protein powders; I am not a big protein powder fan, but Garden of Life Raw Proteinis the one I prefer for this purpose
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little coconut oil or organic butter.
2. Combine dry ingredients (oats through brown sugar) in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients (Greek yogurt through coconut oil).
4. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined, and then mix in the chocolate.
5. Taste a little of the homemade protein bar mixture. Is it tasty? You can add more peanut butter or the optional nuts at this point if you like. Is it sweet enough? If not, you can add some additional sweetener or some of the optional dried fruit. Now is also the time to add in the protein powder if you are going to use it. Mix well using very clean hands (warning--it will be sticky!)
6. Spread the mixture into your prepared dish and bake for 15 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven, let them cool a little, and then slice the bars as you desire. Your homemade protein bars can be sliced into squares, or into the more typical bar shape you would purchase, if you prefer. Spread the bars out onto a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes more. Allow to cool, and then wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Enjoy as a healthy snack anytime.
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Sharon Vollett — June 2, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
I was curious about the yogurt. I love it, but doesn’t the baking kill the good bacteria??? Thanks, I have been looking for an organic protein bar I can make.
drwinnie — June 2, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
Good question Sharon!
Yes I believe baking does kill the majority of the probiotics but the purpose of including Greek yogurt in this particular recipe is really for the protein, not the probiotics…
Michelle — June 3, 2009 @ 2:14 pm
These look to be wonderfully tasty!
You can get sea salt @ http://www.sustainablesourcing.com/
Sea salt, in itself, has great benefits as well!
Using HimalaSalt, the finest of all Himalayan sea salts, helps to:
Sharpens vital brain functions, improves mental clarity
Anti-aging; rids the body of acidic wastes that cause degeneration
Peaceful, relaxed quality of energy, better moods, positive thoughts
Ease cramps, constipation, digestive disorders
Regulates and purifies critical body fluid levels
Purifying, detoxifying to the blood
Stronger libido, sexual vitality, more vigor
Essential minerals replenishes vital electrolytes
Nutrients are absorbed more efficiently by the body.
Foods cooked with HimalaSalt taste better, and their nutrients are absorbed better by the body.
It’s also good for your pet.
Elena — June 11, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
So, are these bars healthier than the muffins I would make which have wheat flour, oat bran, flax, apple sauce, rice dream, brown sugar, and blueberries?
drwinnie — June 12, 2009 @ 4:46 am
Hi Elena,
Your muffins sound delicious! The ingredients you mentioned have no protein, though, so it’s not that the protein bars are necessarily healthier, it’s that they are different.
Many people, especially women, do not eat a balanced diet, and protein is often lacking. And if you are going to snack, having some protein in the snack is helpful for balancing blood sugar. So this is why these bars are packed with healthy natural protein like Greek yogurt, nut butter, nuts and seeds, and whey protein powder, if you choose to use it.
Lastly, my recipe contain no wheat- I try to bake without it whenever possible because it is generally over consumed and many individuals can’t tolerate it.
Marie M — June 23, 2009 @ 6:55 am
These bars sound really really good. I especially love coconut and oats together. I’ll have to try them asap!
Amber — June 26, 2009 @ 11:52 am
I was curious if you know the calorie count on these per bar??
drwinnie replied: — June 26th, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
Amber,
I honestly haven’t a clue. I am not one who counts calories…
Caro — June 28, 2009 @ 11:37 am
Great recipe! I love baking with yogurt. This recipe will save me lots of money on the packaged protein bars I rely on for meals on the go.
Amber — June 30, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
about how many bars do you get out of this receipe??
Cindy — July 13, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
We made these yesterday–they are really great! We also did the math and they have approx 9.5 grams of protein, 18 grams of carbohydrate and 200 calories per bar, with 32 bars. We used chocolate whey protein powder, dried figs and chocolate chips. I also added 2 eggs and used only 1/4 cup of maple syrup (because that was all I had!). I found that I had to cook for 30 minutes to be able to cut them and have them hold together, but they were still remarkably chewy and moist. Thanks for a great, healthy recipe!
Cindy — July 13, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Addendum to previous comment–we also added 1 cup of chopped walnuts!
drwinnie — July 14, 2009 @ 11:10 am
I am so glad you did the math, and I’m so glad you liked the recipe!
Your additions sound delicious!
Elena — July 18, 2009 @ 10:06 pm
I’m excited to try these, only heard the best :) and I started to incorporated yogurt into my muffins…and laying of the the wheat–thank you for the tip!
ash — July 30, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
These sound really nice but i’m worried that the heat from oven would denature the protein? Or is that just a myth?
Cindy — August 2, 2009 @ 11:15 am
We just made the bars again today. New variation: because we wanted more protein in the bars, we added two cups of chocolate whey protein powder and 1/2 cup of cottage cheese–for 14 grams of protein, 19 grams of carbs, and 224 calories. Same great taste and texture–so much better than pre-packaged bars!
CherylK — October 9, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
I think these sound delicious, too. What could I substitute for the chocolate…is that something that’s important for the protein? I just think I’d like them better without the chocolate pieces.
drwinnie — October 9, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
Cheryl-
The chocolate is only there to make them taste good, for folks who might not otherwise like them…
You can just leave the chocolate out; maybe add a bit more peanut butter or nuts. Taste as you go and see how you’re liking the flavor…
healthy protein bar — October 21, 2009 @ 1:52 am
Nothing beats a home cook meal. I am not fond of commercial based chocolates. I live away from home now and i usually ask my mom to make me her best chocolate delights… I will email this to my mom so i can try it next time…
best protein bars — January 6, 2010 @ 5:19 am
Protein bars are also a good supplement especially if you want to replace your beloved candy bar with a nutritious and still chewy bar. Since fructose is mostly used as a sweetener in supplement bars.
natural protein supplements — January 7, 2010 @ 5:51 am
Natural protein supplements, it is also a good idea to try a whey blend. Whey blends contain different types of protein to allow longer shelf life in the stomach. Whey blends also offer higher amounts of healthy reusable protein.
Andrea Breau — February 7, 2010 @ 11:36 am
Just made the bars and they are awesome! thanks for the great recipe!
shilpa — February 9, 2010 @ 11:59 am
do you know how much calories these are? and how much protein/carbs/fat?
Ali — May 27, 2010 @ 11:30 am
I was wondering about these wonderful protein bars, what would be their expiry date or shelf life after placed on an airtight container?
drwinnie — May 27, 2010 @ 11:57 am
Ali,
I’m not sure…2-3 days? I would keep them in the refrigerator and they should last at least a week. You could also freeze them…
shannon — May 31, 2010 @ 5:07 pm
I recently learned that yogurt actually has more carbs than protein. I can’t wait to try these though!
Tania — July 13, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
I’m wondering whether there is an ingredient that can replace the peanut butter? I’m allergic to nuts/nut products. Thanks!
drwinnie — July 13, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
Tania,
Can you have seeds? Sesame butter/tahini or sunflower seed butter would work well, I think.
Emily — August 13, 2010 @ 10:56 am
So, I made them without the yogurt bc I’m vegan and didn’t have any soy yogurt on hand. I used a little bit of soy milk to make it wetter but I guess I’m missing a binding agent bc they’re too crumbly. Anything else I could use next time? They taste amazing (I used walnuts, choc chips, raisins, dried cranberries, maple syrup and almond butter) but are more like granola than bars :(
drwinnie — August 13, 2010 @ 11:23 am
Emily,
It’s been a while since I made them, but yes, sounds like they would end up more like granola…how about adding something sticky…like blended soaked dates or figs, that would hold everything together? Might want to adjust the sweetener, then, so they weren’t too sweet. Maybe a little more almond butter too? I might skip the soy milk and try the soy yogurt next time, too…hope that helps!
Amy — August 13, 2010 @ 2:09 pm
I can’t wait to try these! I have been looking for something exactly like this and want to make it for my whole family. Thanks
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun — September 18, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Great recipe! I love how it is so easy to customize! :-)
Rose — January 19, 2011 @ 6:26 pm
I love the recipe but wish you have the nutriional info. Would like to know how much calories, fat, protein, carbs, fiber, sodium, sugar etc. is there in each bars or the total recipe.
Joy — April 18, 2011 @ 12:24 pm
Do I have to use Greek yogurt? I make my own yogurt and it isn’t quite as thick as Greek yogurt.
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