Have you ever scanned the wrapper of your favorite protein bar to see what, exactly, is fueling your morning workout? If you look past the buzzy terms like “natural,” you’ll often find a slew of funky ingredients, from (super processed) soy protein isolate to six different kinds of sugar. And yet even the most health-conscious people find themselves buying them on the reg out of sheer convenience. Enter healthy homemade protein bars.
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We found nearly a dozen different homemade bar recipes that’ll inspire you to head to the kitchen instead of reaching for that box of peanut butter-flavored junk. Making your own gives you the freedom to play around until you find the absolute perfect recipe to fit your needs. Plus, you’ll save tons of money. Hello, dream vacation fund!
(By the way, we know more than a little something about this topic. Keri’s been making her own protein bars for years, and even turned her kitchen recipe into a packaged version back in the day. Stay tuned for that genius recipe, soon!)
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Here, we share 10 squeaky clean, nutritious protein bars that are as versatile as they are delicious. Try a recipe as is, or get creative and switch it up until you find an approach that’s absolutely perfect—and good—for you.
10 Healthy Homemade Protein Bars
Coconut Matcha Energy Bars
Grateful Grazer’s antioxidant-packed bars are almost too pretty to eat.
Photo: Grateful Grazer
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
A super-clean alternative to Quest Bars, care of The Blissful Balance.
Quinoa Chia Seed Protein Bars
Try Wendy Polisi’s chewy concoction for breakfast and you’ll be packed with energy all day long.
Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bars
Love & Olive Oil uses the same ingredients as her favorite RX Bar to create this nuttier, crunchier version.
Kind Bars 2.0
Eat as is or crumble up and enjoy with your favorite coconut yogurt, suggest the readers of Primal Bites.
Photo: Primal Bites
Chocolate Fudge Brownie Black Bean Protein Bars
Crafty Cooking Mama perfected this recipe for her husband to grab in lieu of his messy breakfast protein shakes.
Sugar-Free Cinnamon Protein Bars
Vegan Chickpea stays true to her roots with a creative garbanzo/banana base.
No-Bake Mint Chocolate Chip Bars
The flavor combo that’ll make a Healthy Maven out of you.
Almond Joy Protein Bars
You’re just six ingredients away from this chocolatey, coconut treat from The Big Man’s World.
Cookie Dough Protein Granola Bars
Running With Spoons readers swear these taste like the real thing.
(Featured Photo: Shutterstock)
