Protein bars are a regular on my grocery list, whether I buy a whole box or snag a single bar at the store.
One packaged bar can run from $1.49 to $3, and buying them in bulk quickly eats up a sizable portion of my food budget. Keeping a steady stash at home doesn’t seem feasible… or does it?
Enter homemade protein bars. Yep — with a bit of effort you can DIY almost anything in the kitchen.
Buying a few staple items like grains, protein powder, nuts, natural sweeteners and nut butter opens up dozens of homemade options.
Even better, you control the ingredients and can whip them up when hunger strikes or grab one on the run, all for a fraction of the price of store-bought bars.
I collected some straightforward, inexpensive and low-effort recipes. I enjoy cooking, but some days I can barely leave the couch. Feel free to tinker and add a little flair if your inner baker demands it.
4 Homemade Protein Bars That Cost 65 Cents or Less Per Serving
Calm your sweet cravings and curb hunger with these homemade protein bar ideas.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Sometimes you want a sweet treat and a jolt of energy at once. This recipe from Making Thyme for Health hits that combo perfectly.
- ½ cup honey: $3.49 for 12 ounces, or $1.75
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter: $2.18 for 18 ounces, or 55 cents
- 3 cups brown rice cereal: $1.49 per 6 ounces, or $1.55
- ¼ cup protein powder: $19.43 for 2.03 pounds, or 86 cents
- ½ cup chocolate chips (pre-chilled in freezer): $1.99 for 12 ounces, or 49 cents
Total cost: $5.20
Servings: 12 bars
Price per bar: 43 cents
Heat the honey and peanut butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until combined. Remove the pot from the heat once smooth.
Stir in the brown rice cereal and protein powder until evenly mixed.
Add the chilled chocolate chips and fold them in thoroughly.
Transfer the mixture to an 8-by-8-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Place another sheet of parchment on top and press down firmly to create an even layer.
Chill overnight (or at least 4 hours) or freeze for 1–2 hours. When set, lift the mixture out using the parchment and slice into 12 bars.
You can swap the peanut butter for another nut butter or replace the chocolate chips with raisins or dried fruit. Experiment to find your favorite combo!
Strawberry Protein Bars
There may be a sweet-and-chocolate theme here — our hearts know what they want. These strawberry protein bars from Purely Inspired are a fruity alternative.
- 3 large fresh strawberries: $2.99 for 16 ounces, or 27 cents
- ¼ cup strawberry protein powder: $16.13 for 2 pounds, or 73 cents
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour: $3.28 for 16 ounces, or 15 cents
- ¼ cup milk (almond, soy, or regular): $2.69 for ½ gallon, or 17 cents
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil: $4.99 for 16 ounces, or 16 cents
- 40 grams (about 4 squares) of dark chocolate: $2 for 6.8 ounces, or 41 cents
Total cost: $1.89
Servings: 6 bars
Price per bar: 32 cents
Line a tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Combine everything except the dark chocolate in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Form the mixture into rectangular bars.
Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl, then dip each bar into the chocolate. Place them on the lined tray and refrigerate for 2–3 hours until set.
Peanut Butter Honey Cereal Bars
Kids will likely love these peanut butter honey cereal bars from Chew Out Loud. Less chocolate, more peanut butter — what’s not to like?
- 4 cups toasted oats cereal: $1.99 for 15 ounces, or 80 cents
- 1 cup dried berries of choice: $1.49 for 8 ounces, or 59 cents
- ½ cup honey roasted peanuts: $2.69 for 1 pound, or 54 cents
- ⅔ cup honey: $3.49 for 12 ounces, or $2.30
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter: $2.18 for 18 ounces, or 73 cents
Total cost: $4.96
Servings: 12 bars
Price per bar: 41 cents
Grease an 8-by-8-inch pan.
In a large bowl, combine the cereal, dried berries and peanuts.
Warm the honey and peanut butter together in a saucepan over medium heat for about one minute, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool 3–5 minutes.
Pour the honey–peanut butter mix over the cereal mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, compacting it into the corners and sides.
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, then slice into 12 bars.
Tip: If the bars aren’t sticking, add more honey or peanut butter. Also avoid overheating the honey–peanut butter mixture — if it gets too thin the bars won’t bind.
No-Bake Mint Chocolate Protein Bars
Note: You’ll need a food processor for this one.
Keep your energy up with these no-bake mint chocolate protein bars from The Healthy Maven. This batch makes enough bars for nearly two weeks and uses only seven ingredients.
- 1 cup dates: $6.49 for 12 ounces, or $2.80
- 1 cup nuts: $3.99 for 8 ounces, or $2.32
- ¾ cup protein powder: $19.43 for 2.03 pounds, or $2.30
- ¼ cup cocoa powder: $2.49 for 9 ounces, or 20 cents
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract: $2.99 for 1 ounce, or 12 cents
- 3 tablespoons almond milk: $2.69 for ½ gallon, or 6 cents
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt: $2.44 for 3 pounds, or 1 cent
Total cost: $7.81
Servings: 12 bars
Price per bar: 65 cents
I tried this recipe at home. Honestly — if your first try isn’t perfect, keep at it. My first attempt wasn’t great, but I learned what to tweak for round two and adjusted the directions slightly.
Start by pulsing the dates in the food processor until they form a sticky mass. Add the nuts and process until they’re finely ground and combined with the dates.
Next, add the protein powder, cocoa powder, salt, peppermint extract and almond milk. Process until everything comes together into a big, tacky ball. If needed, add almond milk 1 teaspoon at a time until it binds.
Line a 9-by-9-inch dish with plastic wrap and press the mixture into it, smoothing the top. (I often skip plastic wrap and press directly into the dish.)
Freeze for at least 15 minutes. Remove from the freezer, lift or pull out the mixture and slice into 12 bars (a pizza cutter works well). I cut mine smaller for bite-sized pieces. Store in the fridge or freeze for longer keeping.
Use any mix of nuts that fits your tastes and budget. The same goes for milk and protein powder. Dates can be pricey, so figs, prunes or other dried fruits are fine substitutions to reduce cost.
Swap-In Ingredients for Your Homemade Protein Bars
Don’t skip a recipe because it doesn’t match your dietary needs.
There’s usually a workaround to tailor it to your preferences. For example, gluten-free flours or plant-based milks can make many recipes dairy-free or vegan.
If peanuts are an issue, use a peanut-free spread like sunbutter. Substitute raisins for craisins, or swap honey for agave nectar. Try white chocolate chips instead of dark, or stir in pumpkin or chia seeds if that appeals.
Feel free to increase other ingredients when you add extras — experimenting is part of the fun. Remember, kitchen missteps are normal and help you become a better baker!
Using items you already own or prefer can boost savings, flavor and enthusiasm. A single investment in pantry staples can yield batch after batch of delicious bars.
Alex Monroe is a contributing writer at Savinly. The quickest way to Alex’s affections is through a fresh-baked snack.
If you’re looking to keep costs down while maximizing protein in your snacks, check out this guide to cheap protein for more ideas.
