These protein bars are perfect for anyone looking to boost their protein intake on a budget, especially if you’re bulking. They’re easy to make, delicious, and provide a hefty dose of protein. Plus, you can snack on them whenever you need a quick, satisfying boost.
Ingredients
– 3 cups rolled oats
– 4 scoops whey protein (each scoop provides around 20-25g of protein, adjust based on your specific protein powder)
– ½ cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened, smooth or crunchy)
– 4 tbsp stevia (or adjust to taste, depending on your preference for sweetness)
– 1 cup water or almond milk (you can add more if needed for consistency)
– 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
– A pinch of salt (optional)
Recipe
1. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, whey protein, and stevia. Stir everything together to make sure the protein powder is evenly distributed with the oats.
2. Add Wet Ingredients:
Add the peanut butter, water (or almond milk), and vanilla extract (if using) to the dry ingredients. Mix everything together well. Gradually add more liquid if the mixture is too dry, but you want it to form a dough-like consistency.
3. Press Into a Pan:
Line a small baking pan (an 8×8 pan or similar) with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Press the mixture into the pan evenly, packing it tightly. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to smooth it out.
4. Chill and Set:
Place the pan in the fridge for 1-2 hours to let the bars firm up. This will help them hold together and make them easier to cut.
5. Cut Into Bars:
After chilling, remove the pan from the fridge and cut it into 8 bars (you can also cut them into smaller sizes if you’d like, but 8 bars will give you around 40g of protein per bar).
6. Store:
Store the protein bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to a week. You can also wrap them individually for a convenient, portable snack.
Nutrition Estimate (Per Bar – makes 8 bars):
– Protein: 40-45g (depending on your protein powder and serving size)
– Calories: 300-350 (depending on the exact ingredients)
– Fat: 15-20g (mainly from peanut butter)
– Carbs: 25-30g (mainly from oats)
– Sugar: 2-4g (from stevia and peanut butter)
You can still add small amounts of extras like cocoa powder, cinnamon, or chia seeds to enhance flavor and nutrients, but be careful as they may change the consistency of the mixture.
If your protein powder has lower protein per scoop, you can increase the number of scoops or choose a more concentrated protein powder. Some whey proteins have up to 30g per scoop
If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can increase the stevia or swap it out for honey or maple syrup, but be mindful of the extra calories from those sweeteners.
These protein bars are designed to be a high-protein, nutrient-packed snack while still being simple, budget-friendly, and effective for anyone looking to up their protein intake without going overboard on carbs or fat.