I don’t have a big sweet tooth, but sometimes I crave a healthy dessert. My kids especially love delicious sweet treats. These homemade protein bars are packed with chocolate flavors and creamy, salty nut butter. They are easy to customize and perfect for a snack or even dessert!
Homemade protein bars
Proteins are finally in the spotlight. I find more and more high-protein recipes in my Instagram feed and I love it! Unfortunately, not everyone uses clean ingredients or opts for protein powders with fillers that I’m not a fan of. I’ve used cottage cheese in some high-protein recipes before, but something tells me that chocolate and cottage cheese protein bars might not appeal to kids.
Instead, these use Equip Prime Protein powder. I keep several different protein powders stocked for days when I need a simple protein boost. What I like about Equip is that it is made from grass-fed beef protein. Free from dairy, whey and plant-based proteins (like soy or pea). While I’m certainly not against dairy or legumes, they can cause digestive issues in some people, including bloating. I noticed that beef protein powder digests more easily and doesn’t have a noticeable beefy taste.
Customize your ingredients
For the homemade protein bars in the batch pictured here, I used chocolate protein powder. Vanilla will also work, but salted caramel, mint chocolate, or iced coffee protein powder flavors would also be delicious. Equip offers all of these different flavors as options.
You can also use any nut butter of your choice. I used peanut butter, but try hazelnut butter or walnut butter for a touch of flavor. There are so many great options!
The recipe calls for oat flour, but you can easily make your own from rolled oats if you don’t have the flour on hand. Simply grind some rolled oats into a fine powder in a coffee grinder or high-speed blender, like a Vitamix.
And if you’re avoiding grains or oats, try some coconut flour instead. Start with 1 tablespoon of coconut flour and slowly increase until you achieve the desired texture. Coconut flour is very absorbent so be careful here.
My kids love these homemade protein bars so much that I make a triple batch every time I make them!
Homemade Protein Bars with Chocolate Chips
These delicious chocolatey protein bars can be made with any nut butter. Rich in healthy fats and protein for nourishing energy!
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In a medium bowl, mix the nut butter and honey until smooth.
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Add Equip protein, oat flour, flaxseed meal and sea salt. Stir well. At first it will look dry.
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Add the milk 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms.
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Add the chocolate chips.
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Press the mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan and smooth the top.
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Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then cut into 8 bars.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Protein Bars with Chocolate Chips
Amount per serving (1 bar)
Calories 295
Calories from fat 171
% daily value*
Fat 19g29%
4g saturated fat25%
Polyunsaturated fat 5g
Monounsaturated fat 9g
Cholesterol 0.04mg0%
Sodium 276mg12%
Potassium 244mg7%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
3g fiber13%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 14g28%
Vitamin A 0.4 IU0%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 42mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze longer.
- For a firmer bar, reduce the milk slightly. For softer bars, add a little more.
- Sprinkle it with sea salt before chilling for that salty-sweet combo.
More protein recipes
Looking for other ways to easily get more protein into your diet? Try one of these recipes!
What are your favorite ways to eat more protein? Leave a comment and let us know!
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