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Home Recipe Index Snacks

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

★★★★★ 4.8 /5
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Rachel Tiemeyer
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 6/15/23Updated: 9/21/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

These Peanut Butter Protein Bars (aka Homemade CLIF Kid Zbars) are a delicious and nutritious snack that will keep you satiated for hours. They’re customizable with add-ins like dried fruit, chocolate chips, or coconut flakes.

protein bars stacked

“We make these on repeat and my kids love them!” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Bonnie

Table of Contents
  • About This Recipe
  • Ingredients Needed
  • How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars
  • Pro Tip!
  • How to Store the Bars
  • FAQs
  • Peanut Butter Protein Bars

About This Recipe

My little ones are huge fans of these homemade protein bars (formally named “Clif Kid ZBars”).

I love that these bars contain all whole food ingredients, fiber, some vitamins and minerals, and a lot of protein. You can also customize the recipe to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Whether you enjoy them as a post-workout snack or as a convenient on-the-go option, homemade peanut butter protein bars are a wholesome and tasty way to fuel your body.

peanut butter protein bars laid out on parchment paper

Ingredients Needed

This recipe requires only four main ingredients and is very versatile. Here are the basics to start with but consider switching up your add-ins each time.

  • Peanut butter – Almond butter will work well too.
  • Honey – I use local or raw honey if possible.
  • Coconut oil – The flavor is so yummy in these bars.
  • Quick Oats – Quick oats are a bit smaller in texture which works well in recipes like this. If you only have old fashioned rolled oats, they will work. The texture will just be a bit more rough.
  • 1 cup of add-ins – Like mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, walnuts, pecans, sunflower sweets, coconut flakes, flaxseed, etc. This is where you can play with the recipe!

In the recipe in the photos, I used sunflower seeds, mini chocolate chips and diced dried cranberries.

peanut butter protein bar ingredients laid out and labeled

How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Here is how they come together. Bonus: no baking required!

Combine the Liquid Ingredients

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt together the nut butter, honey, and coconut oil.

peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a pot
melted down peanut butter, coconut oil and honey in a pot

Add in Remaining Ingredients

Remove from heat and add one cup of oats. Choose your favorite combination of add-ins to equal a total of ONE CUP. Pour in and stir well.

Pro Tip!

If using chocolate chips, be sure to let the peanut mixture cool. If it’s too warm, the chocolate chips will melt.

ingredients for peanut butter protein bars in a pot
Ingredients for peanut butter protein bars all mixed together

Add to Container and Chill

Stir well, then spread the mixture evenly into an 8×8 pan. The mixture will need to chill in order to be cut and divided as bars. You can do this two ways:

  1. Refrigerate – It will need at least 2 hours in the fridge to be firm enough to cut and move.
  2. Freeze – It will need around 30 minutes in the freezer in order to be solid enough to cut and move.
peanut butter protein bar mix in an 8x8 glass dish
protein bar mix chilling in the freezer

Serve and Enjoy!

These bars make a great breakfast or afternoon treat! If you want to pack them as a road trip snack, be sure to put them in a cooler. They need to remain cold in order to hold together.

peanut butter protein bars in a glass dish

How to Store the Bars

I found it easiest to wrap my bars individually in plastic wrap or in snack bags. When snacks are easy to grab, they go faster around my house.

  • To Store in Refrigerator: Place in an airtight container or wrap individually. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
  • To Store in Freezer: Place in an airtight container or wrap individually. Bars can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
protein bars wrapped in plastic bag for storing

FAQs

Can I make these without coconut oil?

We haven’t tested these with another kind of oil. The coconut oil works well because it adds great flavor and also hardens up after cooling off to help the bars hold their shape.

Are these gluten-free and dairy-free?

Yes! If you are really sensitive to gluten, use certified gluten-free oats.

Can I double the recipe?

You bet. Just use a 9×13 inch dish instead of an 8×8 inch.

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peanut butter protein bars in a glass dish
★★★★★ 4.8 from 6 reviews

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

This peanut butter protein bar recipe is packed with all-natural ingredients and can completely be customized to your preference.

Yield: 8 bars 1x
Prep: 10 minutesTotal: 40 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1 cup quick oats (old fashioned rolled oats will work too)
  • 1 cup total of any combination of: finely chopped nuts, unsweetened coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, chopped dried fruit, chocolate chips

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Make It Now:

  1. In a medium sized saucepan, melt together the nut butter, honey and coconut oil over medium-low heat. This should only take a few minutes. 
  2. Remove from heat and add one cup of oats. (Note: Be sure to let this mixture cool first if adding chocolate chips in the next step or else the chips will melt.)
  3. Choose your favorite combination of add-ins. Ideas are: coconut flakes, chopped nuts, sunflower seeds, dried fruit and dark chocolate chips, to equal a total of ONE CUP. Pour in and stir well.
  4. Stir well, then spread mixture into an 8×8 pan.
  5. Chill in the fridge for two hours, or freeze for 30 minutes. Then cut into bars. Wrap them in plastic wrap for a quick grab-and-go snack! Store bars in the fridge or freezer.

Freeze For Later: Individual wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.

Prepare From Frozen: Let a frozen bar thaw for a few minutes on the counter before enjoying.

© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine: American Method: Stove top and chilled

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Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. AvatarMartha says

    Posted on 6/26/23 at 10:37 am

    ★★★★★

    Reply
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