Food Recipes Healthy Snacks Protein Bars

50 Best Low Carb Protein Bar Recipes

Protein is essential. It is the base building materials for the human body, as it is responsible for brain development and muscle growth, and is a vital part of a healthy diet. The benefits of protein bars are many, and consequently, there are many options available to people looking to supplement their diet with more of these valuable macromolecular structures. Everything from shakes to powders to yogurt can and have been packed with protein and sold as dietary supplements.

The problem with the majority of these protein sources is balance. Many of them have an imbalance of protein to the number of fats, sugars, and carbohydrates contained within. While these serve a valuable role in keeping the body healthy, the kinds found in many protein supplements are too refined, or the amounts contained far exceed the recommended daily requirements for a low-carb diet. What’s worse is many powders and shakes contain far more protein than is needed, meaning diminishing returns of protein while still getting loads of carbohydrates and sugar.

1. Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Soft and chewy homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars with oatmeal, honey, chocolate, and protein powder. No bake, healthy, and way better than store bought!

Ingredients

•  3/4 cup creamy peanut butter*
•  1/3 cup honey
•  2 tablespoons coconut oil
•  2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
•  1/2 cup vanilla protein powder — about 2 scoops, depending upon your brand
•  3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
•  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•  1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
•  1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Line an 8x8- or 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides like handles.

2. Place the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a medium heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of water and bring the water to a simmer over medium to medium-high heat. (Do not let the water boil, and make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the mixing bowl.) Stir and heat until the mixture is smoothly combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and turn off the heat.

3. To the bowl with the peanut butter mixture, add the oats, protein powder, flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. The mixture will seem very dry at first but will come together as you stir. It won’t be sticky but should hold together when pressed (see recipe notes for more details). If the mixture is still fairly warm, pop the bowl into the refrigerator for a few minutes to let it cool, then stir in the chocolate chips. (Cooling the mixture will prevent the chocolate from melting. Don’t worry if they do melt a little—the bars will still be delicious!) Press evenly into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

4. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment handles and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into bars of desired size and enjoy.

2.  Healthy Ganola Bars

These healthy granola bars are an easy snack and loaded with peanut butter, almonds, honey, and oats. Made with no refined sugar and packing a protein punch, these healthy no bake bars are perfect for kids and adults! 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups  rolled oats
• 1 cup almonds, roughly chopped.
• 2/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup creamy, natural peanut butter (any nut butter will work)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. Combine oats, almonds, chocolate chips, cinnamon, chia seeds, salt in a bowl – stir to combine.
3. In separate smaller bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, and vanilla.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir to combine.
5. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and press down firmly with bottom of spatula.
6. Cover and refrigerate/freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight, I prefer freezer and overnight! Use a knife to cut into desired sizes.
7. Keep them in the fridge or freezer.

3.  No Bake Keto Chocolate Coconut 

     Crack Bars

The best and healthy way to enjoy the chocolate coconut combination, these chocolate coconut crack bars require no baking and are completely sugar free! A 5-minute, easy recipe to satisfy the sweet tooth, which is also paleo, vegan and keto friendly! 

Ingredients

• 3 cups shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup monk fruit sweetened maple syrup can substitute for any liquid sweetener of choice
• 1-2 cups chocolate chips of choice * See notes

Instructions

1. Line an 8 x 10 inch pan or large loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add all your ingredients and mix very well. Pour batter into the lined pan. Lightly wet your hands and press firmly in place. Place in the fridge or freezer to firm up. 
3. Once firm, remove and cut into bars. Place in the refrigerator. 
4. Melt your chocolate chips of choice and individually, dip each coconut bar in the melted chocolate until coated evenly. Repeat until all the bars are evenly coated. Refrigerate until chocolate firms up and enjoy! 

Notes* For a thinner chocolate coating, unless 1 cup. For a thicker chocolate coating, use a full 2 cups or more.4-Ingredient No Bake Chocolate Coconut Crack Bars can keep at room temperature, in a sealed container. These bars are thick and very firm- Enjoy at room temperature. If you keep them refrigerated or frozen, ensure they are thawed completely before enjoying. 

4. Matcha Protein 

    Bars

Yield         : 8 Bars
Prep Time : 10 minutes 
Total Time : 40 Minutes


INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup plant-based protein powder of choice, we like this one*
• 3 tbsp solid coconut oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup melted coconut butter**
• 2 tsp matcha powder
• 2 tsp each white and black sesame seeds (or whatever you have)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Blend the cashews, protein powder, coconut oil, honey, coconut flour and a small pinch of salt in a food processor until you have a smooth, well blended dough.
2. Press the dough into a parchment lined 9 x 5" loaf pan.
3. Whisk the melted coconut butter and matcha and pour over the dough.
4. Sprinkle the sesame seeds on top and place in the fridge to set for 30 min.
5. Remove from the pan and parchment and cut into 8 bars.
6. Store in fridge for several weeks.

*Make sure it is neutral or vanilla flavored
** May not melt fully - see instructions above recipe if it doesn't

5. Homemade Honey Almond Butter Paleo Protein Bars (Easy Recipe)

Total Time : 15 minutes
Prep Time : 15 minutes
Yield         : 6    (1x)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup natural creamy almond butter
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup coconut flour
• 2 tbsp melted coconut oil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Line an 8×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set side.
2. In a bowl place the almond butter, coconut oil and honey and using an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until blended.
3. Add the coconut flour and beat to combine.
4. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and flatten it out.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
6. Lift the mixture out of the pan and slice into 6 bars.
7. 
   
8. Serve immediately or keep the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.