Skip the store-bought granola bars and just buy one of these High protein granola bars instead! With just 7 ingredients and just 25 minutes, you can whip up a fresh batch of homemade granola bars every week!
It’s back to school time, one of my favorite times of the year! It’s like a fresh start when you might be feeling a little sluggish 3/4 of the year. Summer is still a few weeks away in Minnesota, but the crisp morning air has me excited for all the fun fall activities to come.
My kids are back in “school” too which is a huge relief after a few weeks off. Love her dearly, but it can be hard being home with a baby and toddler all day.
One of the ways we’ve kept busy these past few weeks is by having her in the kitchen with me. She’s getting to the age where she likes to help out, so I let her make these delicious granola bars. As my first taste tester, she definitely approves! Even better, they’re packed with protein, which makes me feel great (as a human and as a parent). So if you too are getting into a back to school rhythm, I hope you try these bars. I guarantee you’ll love them!
Why Make These Granola Bars
- High protein content – Well! I added protein powder to these Homemade Granola Bars So the protein content is higher than your average granola bar. That being said, how much protein depends on the type of protein powder you use. Roughly there are Approximately 5 grams of protein per bar.
- child approved – As I mentioned above, my kids love these. If your child has a peanut allergy, you can easily add other nuts or sunflower oil if you want to avoid eating nuts.
- Simple ingredients – You only need 7 ingredients to make these (less if you don’t add salt). If you look at the ingredients in store-bought granola bars, you’ll find even more unnecessary ingredients. Skip that and make these high-protein granola instead.
High Protein Granola Bar Ingredients
Speaking of those 7 ingredients, let’s review what you need to make these protein granola bars:
- oatmeal – Regular oatmeal please! You can use quick-cooking oats, but avoid steel-cut oats as they are too hard.
- Vanilla protein powder – I love using pea protein powder in my baked goods (check out my favorite protein cookies and protein waffles that use pea protein ), but feel free to use any protein powder you have or like.
- peanut butter – Be sure to use natural peanut butter that is smooth and drippy. Feel free to swap in other nut butters or sunscreens for a nut-free option.
- Honey – I like to sweeten it with honey, but you can also add maple syrup.
- Egg – Two large eggs. I haven’t tried making these with egg substitutes yet, but if you do and have success please let me know!
- Salt – I find this helps enhance the flavor, but feel free to skip it if watching sodium content.
- chocolate chips – You can skip the chocolate chips or add different add-ins like raisins or chopped nuts.
*recipe tips
notes: I don’t recommend using collagen powder as it can make baked goods a little thick and stringy.
How to Make Protein Granola Bars
FAQ
This depends on the type of protein powder you use. For my pea protein powder, peanut butter + 2 eggs, each protein bar has about 5 grams of protein.
Yes! These high-protein granola bars are gluten-free as long as you use certified gluten-free oats.
It’s possible! You can use maple syrup instead of honey and try an egg substitute such as flax eggs. I haven’t tested these with vegan alternatives yet, but if you do, please let me know!
Yes! See refrigerator and freezer storage instructions below.
Storage instructions
Store granola bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
freeze – Store protein granola bars in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag. For a grab-and-go option, you can wrap each individually in foil or plastic wrap. Remove approximately 30 minutes before you need to eat.
More granola bar recipes
High protein granola bars
Skip the store-bought granola bars and just buy one of these High protein granola bars instead! With just 7 ingredients and just 25 minutes, you can whip up a fresh batch of homemade granola bars every week!
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 25 minutes
- yield: 12 bar 1x
- category: snack
- method: bake
- diet: gluten free
- 2 1/2 cups oatmeal
- 1/2 cup Vanilla protein powder*
- 3/4 cup Natural peanut butter**
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 big egg
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/3–1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line an 8 x 8 baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl combine oats, protein powder, peanut butter, honey/maple syrup, eggs and salt.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Add the batter to the baking pan and spread evenly over it.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until bars are firm and golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely, then remove from pan and parchment paper and cut into 12 pieces.
notes
*I use vanilla pea protein or vanilla whey protein.
**You want the peanut butter to be smooth and dripping.
