Oatmeal Bars with Protein Powder

These no-bake oatmeal bars with protein powder are really easy to make and soooo tasty!  I love these peanut butter oatmeal bars as a quick snack or breakfast replacement.  If you want quick DIY protein bars, these protein oatmeal bars are so fast to prepare because it’s a no-bake bar recipe.  They only take 10 minutes to throw together.  And you can also substitute/add ingredients to your heart’s content (or based on what’s available in your pantry), so there are endless possibilities for making this protein bar recipe with protein powder perfect for your dietary needs!

Why Make Your Own No Bake Protein Bars?

There are so many reasons to make your own no bake protein bars!  I have to admit, my homemade protein bars are so much tastier than anything I’ve bought at the store.  I legitimately enjoy this oatmeal bar with protein powder recipe, so my main motivation for making no bake oatmeal bars at home is the TASTE.  But I also love the short ingredient list, with minimal processed ingredients.  Eating more whole foods and fewer chemically altered ingredients is a goal of mine!  Here are some other reasons to make your own oatmeal bars at home:

1. Save Money: it can be much more affordable to make your own protein bars, so you can help lower your grocery bills!
2. Skip Allergens: you can easily avoid common allergens that affect your family by making granola bars at home.
3. Reduce Food Sensory Issues: if you have family members with food sensory issues you can address those by making your own oatmeal bars and omitting offending textures.
4. Meet Dietary Restrictions: it can be difficult to consume prepared foods if you have dietary restrictions, but you can easily meet them by making your own protein bars.
5. Limit Processed Ingredients: making your own protein bars allows you to add more whole foods and reduce ultra-processed ingredients.
6. Reduce Sugar: store bought protein bars and granola bars can be packed with sugar (and hidden sugar) and this way you can control the amount of sugar your family consumes.
7. Increase Flavor: combine flavors and spices and ingredients you love most with DIY protein bars.
8. Reduce Packaging Waste: you can pack your DIY oatmeal bars in reusable containers, reducing packaging waste!

What Kind of Protein Powder to Use for Homemade Protein Bars?

Today I’m partnering with Naked Nutrition and using their Vanilla Naked Whey Protein Powder, which has only three ingredients: grass-fed whey protein, organic coconut sugar, and natural vanilla flavor.  That’s it!  The whey is also from cows that are grass fed (which results in a better quality whey) and raised without growth hormones.  I LOVE that this protein powder doesn’t have any additives or artificial sweeteners because sometimes those can taste really fake.  I find the fake flavor of other protein powders can ruin a DIY protein bar or recipe made with protein powder.  This protein powder is slightly sweet, with a soft vanilla taste, and it blends into these homemade protein bars so easily.  If you’re looking to reduce sugar intake, you can also find unsweetened protein powders.  Naked Protein has a variety of proteins, including vegan options, as well as dietary and workout supplements, all without any added junk.  But if you’re going to choose your own protein powder, look for fewer, cleaner ingredients for best results!

Ingredients for Oatmeal Bars with Protein Powder:

• 2 cups oats
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1 tsp ground cardamom(optional or substitute)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp Salt

How to Make Oatmeal Bars with Protein Powder:

1. Melt the coconut oil, on low heat on the stove top.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, protein powder, spice, salt, and shredded coconut.
3. Once the coconut oil is melted, stir the vanilla, peanut butter, and maple syrup.
4. Pour the coconut oil mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients.
5. Combine thoroughly.
6. Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
7. Refrigerate for 2+ hours.
8. Remove from pan, cut into bars, and enjoy!

Substitutions + Suggestions For Making Homemade Protein Bars:

I hope you enjoy these no bake homemade oatmeal protein bars!  You can find my other protein powder recipes in my Recipes Gallery and get inspired with recipes from Naked Nutrition here.  Consider these substitutions and suggestions when making your own DIY protein bars with protein powder:

• Experiment with different flavors of protein powder (like chocolate!)
• Drizzle a little melted chocolate or coconut oil on top of the bars, and top with chopped nuts, chocolate chips, coconut flakes, etc.
• Substitute honey, or another sweetener, for the maple syrup.
• Swap the peanut butter with another nut butter to make peanut free oatmeal bars.
• Experiment with unique flavor combinations and spices.

Oatmeal Bars with Protein Powder

May 18, 2023

by Tanya from Dans le Lakehouse

Category Recipe Sponsored Post

Persons

10

Serving Size

1 bar

Prep Time

15 minutes

Wait Time

2 hours

Total Time

15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Cups Oats
• 1/2 Cup Protein Powder
• 1 tsp Cardamom (optional or substitute)
• 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
• 1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
• 1/2 Cup Coconut Oil
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/4 tsp Salt

Instructions

1. Melt the coconut oil (in a small pot, low heat on a stove top).
2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, protein powder, spice, salt, and shredded coconut.
3. Once the coconut oil is melted, stir the vanilla, peanut butter, and maple syrup.
4. Pour the coconut oil mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients.
5. Combine thoroughly.
6. Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
7. Refrigerate for 2+ hours.
8. Remove from pan, cut into bars, and enjoy!

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How to Use Up a 5 lb Canister of Protein Powder:

I think sometimes people associate protein powder with power lifters looking to really bulk up.  But I’ve bought and enjoyed protein powder for two decades and I’m just a vegetarian DIYer who gets engrossed in a project and forgets to eat, lol.  My worst offence: sometimes I’m too distracted to get around to breakfast.  So I make sure to incorporate quick, protein packed meals and homemade protein snacks into my day – and protein powder is an easy and delicious way to boost my daily intake.  If you’re looking at Naked Nutrition’s 5 lb canister of protein powder wondering, “okay, sounds delicious, but how will I use this all this protein powder?” you’d be surprised how many ways protein powder can be enjoyed!  To start, you can simply mix the protein powder into a glass of water or milk/milk substitute for a satiating drink.  But there are honestly SO many ways to enjoy protein powder – below are my top 10!

10 Ways to Use Protein Powder:

1. Mix a scoop into hot oatmeal (then stir in peanut butter and top with slices bananas)
2. Add a scoop to your morning smoothie drink or smoothie bowl
3. Stir into homemade frozen yogurt recipes for a high protein dessert
4. Combine with your favorite chia seed pudding recipe
5. Replace 1 cup of flour with 1/3 cup of protein powder in baking
6. Mix a scoop into your morning iced coffee drink
7. Stir into homemade granola recipes
8. Make fruity protein popsicles
9. Make homemade protein balls
10. Bake your own protein bars

Avocado Smoothies with Protein Powder

Protein Powder Ice Pops

Oatmeal Bars with Protein Powder

Naturally Blue Smoothie Bowl with Protein Powder

More Protein Bar Recipe Ideas:

Although these oatmeal bars with protein powder are a no-bake DIY granola bar recipe, I have shared some other baked protein bar recipes in the past: my Zucchini Brownie Recipe with Protein Powder, Baked Protein Bar No Peanut Butter Needed, and my Healthier Protein Brownie Recipe are all baked with protein powder.  Those baked protein bar recipes were also made with alternative flours, like coconut flour and almost flour.  My best tip for baking with protein powder is to SIFT!  Sift, sift, sift to remove the clumps and you’ll be surprised how well protein powder is combined in your favorite baked protein bar recipes!

Zucchini Brownie Recipe with Protein Powder

Avocado Brownies with Protein Powder

Baked Protein Bar No Peanut Butter

P.S. Don’t Forget to Pin for Later!

Thanks to Naked Nutrition for sponsoring this post!  I was not asked or encouraged to provide a positive review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.