How to Make Homemade Protein Bars: The Nutrition Bar Formula that Ended my PowerBar Addiction

A mix in the food processer, and these homemade protein bars are ready for munching! Credit: Stacy Spensley

Variations on a Homemade-Protein-Bar Theme

The possibilities are endless with this homemade protein bar formula. I’ve been playing around with it for quite some time, and though they haven’t all been winners, most of them have been really, really good. Here are a few of my favorites…
Sweet & Salty Bars

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup mashed banana
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1.5 cups of oats
• 1 cup brown rice flour
• ½ cup crushed pretzels + ½ cup chocolate chips

Omega-3 Fruit & Walnut Bars

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• ¼ cup of ground flax seed with ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup agave nectar
• ¼ cup apple-raspberry puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups of oats
• 1 cup chocolate hemp protein powder
• 1/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts + 1/3 cup dried cherries + 1/3 cup dark chocolate

Maple Pumpkin Bars

• 1 can of great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup pureed pumpkin
• ½ cup maple syrup (use more maple syrup in place of the sweet fruit here, for more maple flavor)
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups of oats
• 1 cup spelt flour
• 1 cup raisin bran cereal

Have you made any homemade protein bars using this formula? I want to know your best ingredient combination! —Susan