Easy to make no-bake Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars that are gluten-free, have no refined sugar, and can easily be made vegan. The best part is they take under 10 minutes! After making these you will never buy packaged protein bars again!

I make these bars with homemade oat flour, peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, vanilla protein powder, and some mini chocolate chips.  They taste a little like a chocolate chip cookie (but a lot healthier) or a perfect bar but for much cheaper. I make these weekly for my husband and kids to have as a healthier sweet snack with added protein and it makes me feel better knowing they are not eating junk…even if they think they are getting cookies!

Homemade Protein Bars Vs Store Bought

• Ingredients- You can decide what to put in them, many protein bars have a lot of added sugar and hidden ingredients that are not healthy. Store bought bars may have dairy and gluten with homemade bars you get to decide what to add and what not to add. By making your own bars you can make them a lot healthier.

• Nutrition- Homemade will usually come with less calories, carbs, and way less sugar.

• PRICE- Homemade bars are so much cheaper! Perfect bars at my grocery store sell for 2/$5 these bars come to about .50 cents each which is a considerable savings!  

How To Make Homemade Oat Flour

Making oat flour is super simple and only takes a few seconds and one easy step. First, you will need whole rolled oats (not quick oats) if you want this to be gluten free make sure to purchase a gluten free brand.

Place the oats in a food processor and pulse until they form a fine flour. Stopping once to stir so it is evenly ground.  That is it!

(1 Cup of rolled oats yields about ¾ cup of oat flour.)

Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months (I like to use a mason jar)

How To Make Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

These homemade protein bars are so simple to make it takes under 10 minutes. Start by adding oat flour, protein, and a pinch of salt to a mixing bowl stir to combine. Next, add nut butter, honey, and 1tbsp of melted coconut oil to the bowl. Mix everything together well until combined you may need to use your hands to get it incorporated. If the mix is too dry and not sticking together add another tablespoon of coconut oil. Once mixed add in the chocolate chips and stir to combine. Line a bread pan with parchment paper (so you can easily remove them) and press mixture into the bottom of the pan until even.  You can eat right away for a softer bar or refrigerate for an hour for a firmer protein bar.

Substutions for protein bars

You can play around with this recipe and change it up to your preference. Here are some suggestions:

• Nut Butter – almond or cashew butter in place of the peanut butter. Make sure it is a natural runny kind so the bars do not dry out to much.

• Seed Butter – if you cannot have nuts, use seed butter. I find that sunflower seed butter taste really good in these protein bars.

• Nuts – Walnuts, Pecans, or even Peanuts would all go very well in these protein bars.

• Dried Fruit- You could add any dried fruit you like; I have not tried it but I think it would make a good substitute for the chocolate chips.

• protein powder – I use a vanilla whey protein in these bars, but you can substitute your favorite protein (collagen, soy, plant-based), but just be careful of the ratios. Protein powders vary by consistency.  I would add a little less than the recipe calls for and add as you need for the best consistency.

how to store peanut butter chocolate chip protein bars

To store these bars put them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Here are some more of my favorite Healthy Snack Recipes!

GLUTEN FREE GRANOLA- PEANUT BUTTER + BANANA - This gluten-free granola is a healthy, delicious, crunchy, peanut butter and banana-filled treat. Top yogurt, smoothie bowls, or just eat by the handful!

EASY WALNUT TAHINI GRANOLA - This easy healthy homemade granola is full of delicious chunky clusters.  With some honey and tahini and walnuts, this granola recipe is amazing!! 

PEANUT BUTTER BANANA OATMEAL COOKIES - These healthy, easy to make, 4 ingredient, banana oatmeal cookies with peanut butter are amazing! Soft, chewy, healthy, vegan, and gluten free and flourless.

NO BAKE LEMON ENERGY BALLS RECIPE - This healthy no bake energy balls recipe are so easy to make, only 4 ingredients, and is filled with lemon, oats, and chia seeds. Perfect as a snack for kids, breakfast, after a workout or anytime! Totally gluten free and vegan.