These easy homemade protein bars taste like a cinnamon roll, and have 7 g protein per bar! Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, and they taste way better than store bought.
We love making our own homemade granola bars as well as no bake energy bites; not only do they taste better than store bought, but you know exactly what goes into them! Protein bars are another great option to make at home, and they're surprisingly easy!
These homemade protein bars have just seven ingredients, and taste eerily similar to a cinnamon roll. I absolutely love their texture- chewy, but easy to eat (unlike some protein bars which can get so tough over time!). I think you're going to love them!
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Reasons you’ll ♡ this recipe
- you need seven simple ingredients that you may already have in the pantry
- they have the best texture- chewy yet slightly soft- and taste similar to a cinnamon roll
- you know exactly what goes into them and they taste better than storebought
Recipe video
Watch the video below to see how I make homemade protein bars! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.
Ingredient notes
- rolled oats- you can use rolled oats or quick oats for this recipe; we blend them in the food processor to make oat flour before adding in the other ingredients.
- vanilla protein powder- this recipe was tested with whey protein powder and I cannot say for sure if vegan protein powder would also work. I used this AllWhey French Vanilla Protein Powder, which adds vanilla flavor and a touch of sweetness.
- almond butter- for this recipe, you'll need all natural almond butter (the only ingredients should be almonds and possibly salt). All natural peanut butter can also be used.
- honey- helps to bind the bars and adds a touch of sweetness; alternatives have not been tested, but may work (drop us a comment if you try!)
- coconut oil- I use refined coconut oil, which does not have a prominent coconut flavor.
- flaky salt- optional but totally adds that finishing touch to the bars; I use Maldon.
Step by step directions
1. Pulse dry ingredients- In a 7 cup or larger food processor fitted with a steel S blade, add the protein powder, cinnamon and rolled oats. Blend for 1 minute, until oats are powdery and fine, as pictured above.
TIP- this is the food processor I have & love!
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2. Add wet ingredients- Add melted coconut oil, almond butter, honey and vanilla extract to the food processor. Blend for another 30 seconds, until mixture is well combined.
TIP- to avoid dirtying measuring cups, weigh the almond butter and honey right in the food processor- weights are provided in the recipe card!
3. Check consistency- Fold some of the mixture in your hand; it should form a ball and not crumble. If the mixture is crumbly, add water and process again.
4. Press & chill- Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment, and press the protein bar mixture into the pan until smooth across the top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then chill for 2 hours (or freeze for 30 minutes).
TIP- spritz the bottom of the loaf pan with spray oil to help the parchment stay put!
FAQ
My food processor had a hard time blending a double batch up properly. If you have a large food processor (larger than 7 cups), it might not be an issue for you. You could also work in two batches, then press into a 9 x 9 inch pan.
I suspect it would work, but can't say for sure as I've never tested. Drop us a comment below if you give it a try!
I bet that would be great! Chocolate sounds like a great option.
Storage
These bars keep supremely well in the fridge or in the freezer!
- fridge- store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days; due to the nut butter, I don't recommend leaving them out at room temperature for too long.
- freezer- wrap loosely in parchment paper and store in a larger bag or meal prep container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Variations
You could play around with this recipe, switching up the spices and flavorings:
- almond: go with a neutral flavored protein powder and add almond extract; top with sliced almonds
- mint chocolate chip: try adding a chocolate protein powder and some chocolate chips; maybe even some peppermint extract
- peanut butter: swap the almond butter for PB and/or use a PB flavored protein powder
- lemon coconut: try adding in some lemon zest and pulsing in some shredded coconut at the end
- coffee chocolate: add a tablespoon of espresso powder, some cocoa powder and chocolate chips
More healthy snacks
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Easy Homemade Protein Bars (Cinnamon Roll)
Ingredients
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder 40 g; a heaping ½ cup; see note 1
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup rolled oats 96 g; see note 2
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil 26 g; melted; refined recommended
- ½ cup natural almond butter 118 g; see note 3
- ¼ cup honey 74 g; see note 4
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon water *if needed
- sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Pulse dry ingredients- In a 7 cup or larger food processor fitted with a steel S blade, add the protein powder, cinnamon and rolled oats. Blend for 1 minute, until oats are powdery and fine, as pictured above.
- Add wet ingredients- Add melted coconut oil, almond butter, honey and vanilla extract to the food processor. Blend for another 30 seconds, until mixture is well combined.
- Check consistency- Fold some of the mixture in your hand; it should form a ball and not crumble. If the mixture is crumbly, add water and process again.
- Press & chill- Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment, and press the protein bar mixture into the pan until smooth across the top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then chill for 2 hours (or freeze for 30 minutes).
- Slice- Pull the bars out of the loaf pan, and cut into 8 squares.
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Tips:
- fridge- store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 7 days; due to the nut butter, I don't recommend leaving them out at room temperature for too long.
- freezer- wrap loosely in parchment paper and store in a larger bag or meal prep container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
dixie says
really yummy and delicious
Denise Bustard says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks for reporting back 🙂
Emily S says
I am OBSESSED with these. Thank you so much. This recipe is perfect. I actually roll them into 1.5 inch balls for snacking and about 3 are a perfect little snack before before I swim laps. You rock!
Denise says
Yay! So happy to hear you love them, and that is so helpful to know they make great protein balls as well! Thanks for leaving a review with such helpful feedback, Emily. <3
Jacque says
I’m allergic to coconut, can I use a different oil?
Denise says
Hi Magda, I have just recalculated the nutritional info and it should be accurate now.
Brittany K says
My bf is allergic to coconut. Is there something else I could use instead of the coconut oil?
Denise says
Hi Brittany! Unfortunately I have only tested with coconut oil. I'm not sure if butter would work in this or not. You could try swapping for some extra nut butter? Let me know if you give them a try!
Lori says
Can liquid coconut oil be used? And would it be the same measurement? I’m new to the different kinds of oils. Thanks!
Denise says
Hi Lori! I haven't tried with liquid coconut oil and am worried that the bars might not set up properly if you used it.
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Denise says
Hi Vanessa! They keep for around 7 days in the fridge or you can freeze for up to 3 months.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! Does the protein powder taste come through much?
Denise says
Hi Suzanne! I used a french vanilla protein powder so it complimented the flavors of the bars nicely. I didn't find it overpowering at all.
Melissa says
Hey! I just made the bars using the measurements in the recipe section and they are really thin if I put them in an 8x8 dish...are you using the 8x8 for the double recipe that is pictured? Or are the bad supposed to be so thin? (I’m talking about an 1/8 of an inch thin)
Denise says
Hi Melissa, huge apologies, the recipe card should have said 'loaf pan'. The recipe was originally written for an 8x8 inch pan but the food processor was overly full. I am so sorry about this mistake and am updating the card asap 🙂
Lindsay says
OMG these are so good!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to leave a review 🙂
Denise says
Glad you enjoyed, Carol!
Tim says
Do you think these could work in a good blender too? My food processor is only 4 cups.
Thanks! Looking forward to trying them out.
Denise says
Hi Tim! I haven't tried, but if you have a good blender it may work.
Janelle says
These are absolutely amazing! The perfect protein-packed snack!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed! Thanks so much for your review!
Jasmine says
Hi 🙂 Can you recommend something to use instead of oats? Would another gluten free flour work? Thanks!
Denise says
Hi Jasmine! Unfortunately I've only tested as written, but that's a good idea to test an alternative flour.
E says
Hi, I am really confused about the calories listed here. I added all the calories from everything I used and divided by 6 (I cut them into 6 instead of 16), and I got around 265 calories... That's for a piece way bigger than what yours would be. Are you sure you added correctly?
Denise says
Hi! You are correct, I just ran it through My Fitness Pal and got a different value...looks like one of the ingredients must have been off in the database I was using. I've updated the info, thanks for catching that!
liz says
hi. if you put 40g of protein in this and make 16 bars, how is it that you claim 7g of protein per bar?
Denise says
Hi Liz, sorry for my late reply, I've just returned from holidays! To clarify, it's 40 g of the protein powder, not of pure protein. And there is also protein from the other ingredients, most notably the nut butter. I also want to point out these are purely estimates...hope this helps!
Grace says
Hi!
I don't suppose you have any suggestions for alternatives to nut butters for this? I have a nut allergy but I'm trying to find a good protein bar recipe I can actually eat!
Thanks 🙂
Denise says
Hi Grace! I have only tried it with almond or peanut butter, but I bet sunflower seed butter would work! Alternatively you could try a date-based recipe (like this https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/nut-free-energy-bites-seed-free-coconut-free-option/) and try adding protein powder to it. But I haven't tried that so I can't say 100% how it would turn out. I hope this helps!
Kathleen says
Hi
I don't have a protein powder? Is there any substitute for that?
Thank you
Denise says
Hi Kathleen, with this recipe I've only tested with a protein powder...you may be able to make them wihtout the powder but I can't say for sure. You might be interested in this recipe as an alternative: https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/chocolate-almond-quinoa-snack-bars/ (you can leave out the quinoa)
Caira says
These look awesome! I can't wait to try them out. Have you heard anything about eating protein powders during pregnancy or breastfeeding? All the labels have a "warning" but I can't find any info good or bad. Thanks!
Denise says
Hi Caira, No, I haven't heard anything...and I should probably know because I'm nursing my baby right now! I don't consume any large quantities, but if you were to, I'd check with a doctor.
Hollie says
I just made these, they're so good! Thank you for all of your great recipes. I've made several and enjoy them so much!
Denise says
So happy you enjoyed them, Hollie! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
I love making homemade protein and granola bars!!! This texture looks AMAZING 🙂
Denise says
Thanks so much, Brittany!