Oatmeal Protein Bars - The Big Man's World ® (2024)

These oatmeal protein bars are made with 4 key ingredients and come together in minutes. The results are chewy, satisfying bars perfect for a grab-and-go snack or to keep the hunger pangs at bay!

When I’m hungry in between meals, I always grab a protein bar. So, I make sure to always keep the house stocked.

Lately, I’ve been making a lot of coconut protein bars, peanut butter protein balls, and oat bars. Not only are they SO much cheaper than the storebought bars, but they’re also filled with more wholesome, good-for-you ingredients that I feel happy sharing with my family.

Why this recipe works

• Minimal prep time. Like my snickers protein bars, these oatmeal bars come together in just 10 minutes. The hardest part will be waiting for them to firm up in the fridge, but I promise, your patience will be worth it!
• Customizable. As with any good protein bar recipe, there are endless ways to customize these bars, and I’ll be sure to give you plenty of suggestions later on.
• Healthy. Fiber-rich oats and 10 grams of protein per bar, all for less than 150 calories!
• Perfect for sharing. With no gluten, dairy, or refined sugar, these bars are diet-approved and safe for everyone to enjoy.

For more healthy oat bar recipes, try my strawberry oatmeal bars or no-bake oatmeal bars.

Ingredients needed

Homemade protein bars are more straightforward than storebought bars, so odds are you already have most of the ingredients you’ll need.

• Rolled oats. AKA old-fashioned oats. Use certified gluten-free oats to make gluten-free protein bars.
• Protein powder. I used vanilla brown rice protein powder, but casein protein powder will also work.
• Almond butter. For extra protein and rich, nutty flavor. Make your own or use a creamy store-bought almond butter.
• Maple syrup. Maple syrup is my sticky sweetener of choice, but you could use agave nectar, honey, or brown rice syrup.
• Chocolate chips. Optional, but I like to melt and drizzle them over the top of the bars.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to make oatmeal protein bars

Step 1- Prep work. Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.

Step 2- Mix dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder and rolled oats.

Step 3- Add wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt the almond butter and maple syrup. Mix to combine, then pour the almond butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix to combine.

Step 4- Shape and refrigerate. Transfer the protein bar batter to the prepared pan and press firmly into place. Refrigerate until firm.

Step 5- Add chocolate. While the bars are in the fridge, melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle the bars with the melted chocolate, let the chocolate harden, then slice into bars.

Recipe tips and variations

• Swap the almond butter. Use any nut or seed butter of your choice. If I’m making a nut-free protein bar, my go-to is sunflower seed butter.
• Add mix-ins. I like to fold in dried cherries, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut for a little extra flavor.
• Add milk. If the batter appears too crumbly, add non-dairy milk one tablespoon at a time until you have a cohesive batter.
• Fold in the chocolate. When I don’t feel like dirtying an extra dish, I’ll skip melting the chocolate and fold in the chocolate chips instead.
• Make oatmeal protein balls. Instead of shaping the bar batter into a square pan, roll them out into equal-sized balls using slightly wet hands or a cookie scoop (like we do with classic protein balls).

Storage instructions

To store: I recommend keeping leftover protein bars in the fridge so they stay fresher for longer. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

To freeze: Leftover bars can be stored in a freezer-safe container frozen for up to 6 months. Let the bars thaw overnight at room temperature before enjoying.

Frequently asked questions

More healthy snack recipes with oats to try

• Flapjacks– A classic British oat bar made with golden syrup.
• Blueberry baked oatmeal– The perfect snack or breakfast on the go.
• Banana bars– Think of them as banana bread meets blondies.
• Chocolate oatmeal bars– One of my favorite no-bake chocolate snacks.
• Oatmeal raisin bars– Soft-baked oat bars with plump and juicy raisins.