Skip the store bought granola bars and reach for one of these high protein granola bars instead! With only 7 ingredients and 25 minutes required you’ll be making a fresh batch of these homemade granola bars every week!
It’s back-to-school time which is one of my favorite times of the year! It’s like a fresh start when you may be feeling a little sluggish 3/4 of the way through the year. We still have a few more weeks of summer here in Minnesota but the early morning crisp air is there and gets me excited for all the fun fall activities that are to come.
My toddler is also back in “school” which is a bit of a relief after a few weeks off. Love her dearly but having a baby and toddler home all day can be A LOT.
One of the ways we kept busy the last few weeks is by having her in the kitchen with me. She’s getting to the age where she loves to help so I put her to work making these delicious granola bars. As my #1 taste-tester she definitely approved! Better yet, they’re high in protein which makes me feel great (as a human and as a parent). So if you’re getting into the back-to-school rhythm too I hope you try out these bars. I promise you’ll love them!
Why Make These Granola Bars
- High in protein – Duh! I’ve included protein powder in these homemade granola bars so the protein is higher than regular granola bars. That being said, how much protein depends on the type of protein powder you use. A rough estimate would be that there is about 5 grams of protein per bar.
- Kid-approved – As I mentioned above my toddler LOVES these. If your child is allergic to peanuts you can easily sub in a different nut or sunflower butter if you’re trying to be nut-free.
- Simple ingredients – Just 7 ingredients (and less if you skip the salt) are needed to make these. If you look at the ingredients in store bought granola bars you’ll see so many more ingredients that simply are not necessary. Skip those and make these high protein granola bars instead.
Ingredients in High Protein Granola Bars
Speaking of those 7 ingredients, let’s go over what you need to make these protein granola bars:
- Rolled oats – regular rolled oats please! You could get by using quick cook oats but please don’t use steel-cut oats as they’ll be too tough.
- Vanilla protein powder – I like using pea protein powder in my baked goods (check out my favorite protein cookies and protein waffles using pea protein) but feel free to use whatever protein powder you have or prefer.
- Peanut Butter – be sure to use natural peanut butter that is smooth and drippy. Feel free to replace with another nut butter or sunbutter for a nut-free option.
- Honey – I like to sweeten these with honey but you can also sub in maple syrup.
- Eggs – two large eggs. I have not tried to make these with an egg replacer but if you do and have success let me know!
- Salt – I find this helps to amp up the flavor but feel free to skip if watching sodium levels.
- Chocolate chips – you could skip the chocolate chips or sub in a different add-in like raisins or chopped nuts.
*Recipe Tip
Note: I do not recommend using collagen protein powder as it makes baked goods a little dense and gooey.
How to Make Protein Granola Bars
FAQs
This depends on the type of protein powder you are using. For my pea protein powder, peanut butter + 2 eggs this came out to about 5 grams of protein in each bar.
Yes! So long as you are using certified gluten-free oats these high protein granola bars are gluten-free.
Possibly! You can use maple syrup instead of honey and try using an egg substitute like flax eggs. I have yet to test these with a vegan substitute but please let me know if you do!
Yes! See storage instructions below for both fridge and freezer.
Storage Instructions
Store your granola bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days. They will also keep for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.
To freeze – store your protein granola bars in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag. For a grab and go option you can individually wrap each in tinfoil or plastic wrap. Take out about 30 minutes before desired eating.
More Granola Bar Recipes
High Protein Granola Bars
Skip the store bought granola bars and reach for one of these high protein granola bars instead! With only 7 ingredients and 25 minutes required you’ll be making a fresh batch of these homemade granola bars every week!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Bake
- Diet: Gluten Free
- 2 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder*
- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter**
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3–1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl combine oats, protein powder, peanut butter, honey/maple syrup, eggs and salt.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Add batter to baking dish and spread out top evenly.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until bars are firm and golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and parchment and cutting into 12 bars.
Notes
*I use either vanilla pea protein or vanilla whey protein.
**You want your peanut butter to be smooth and drippy.
