Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

Homemade Protein Bars

By

 

Supposedly “healthy” protein bars resemble candy bars more than energy-lifting, muscle-building real food bars.

Consider a typical protein bar like the PowerBar:

Power Bar High Protein Bar Chocolate Peanut Butter

Nutrition Facts per Bar:

Calories 300

Calories from fat 50

Amount/Serving
% DV*
Total Fat 6g
9%
  Saturated Fat 3.5g
18%
  Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 5mg
1%
Amount/Serving
% DV*
Sodium 210mg
9%
Total Carb 39g
13%
  Dietary Fiber 1g
4%
  Sugars 19g
Protein 23g
46%

Ingredients: POWERBAR TRISOURCE™ PROTEIN BLEND (SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, CALCIUM CASEINATE), GLUCOSE SYRUP, CHOCOLATEY COATING (SUGAR, FRACTIONATED PALM KERNEL OIL, COCOA, WHEY, NONFAT MILK, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL VANILLA FLAVOR), CANE SYRUP, GLYCERIN, MALTITOL SYRUP, NATURAL FLAVOR, PEANUT BUTTER, PEANUT FLOUR, SOY LECITHIN, SALT, ALMOND BUTTER, MINERALS: CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, ZINC GLUCONATE, IRON (FERROUS FUMARATE), COPPER GLUCONATE, CHROMIUM ASPARTATE, VITAMINS: VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID), VITAMIN E ACETATE, VITAMIN B3 (NIACINAMIDE), PANTOTHENIC ACID (CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE), VITAMIN B6, VITAMIN B2, VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN MONONITRATE), FOLIC ACID, BIOTIN, VITAMIN B12. CONTAINS ALMOND, MILK, PEANUT AND SOY INGREDIENTS. MADE ON EQUIPMENT THAT ALSO PROCESSES WHEAT.

The commercially-made protein bars contain four different kinds of sugars, highly-processed proteins, and a multitude of preservatives. The 38-ingredient long list compared to my recipe with only 6 ingredients, no sugar, and a natural source of protein.

Simply take my recipe for High Protein Cookies and bake in a pan instead of making it in cookie form. Cut into squares and wrap for on-the-go convenience.

I calculated that it costs less than $3 to make an entire batch of homemade protein bars (makes about 20 bars at 15 cents each!). Compare that to buying commercial protein bars that can cost $3 each!

Mine taste better, too.

Nutrition Facts per Bar
Amount Per Serving
Calories 115
Calories from Fat 58
Total Fat 6.4g
Saturated Fat 2.1g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 37mg
Total Carbohydrates 11.8g
Dietary Fiber 3.7g
Sugars 2.3g
Protein 5.1g
Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 4% • Iron 10%

 

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day: 

What are your thoughts on commercially-made protein bars? Do you buy them? If so, do you have a favorite kind? Would you consider making your own?

If your still in the mood for protein bars, try making Sweet Potato Spice bars or some Crazy Healthy Granola bars!

Again, apologies for the bad camera pictures!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. I almost never buy them. For their price, and what they do for my hunger (read: nothing) I don’t see the point! I wish they made something less sweet and higher in protein and fat.

  4. Wow! I’ve never made protein bars before, because I always just buy like Luna Bars or Larabars (although i’ve made larabars). Now I think I’m going to try to make some! Thanks for the eye opener!!! 🙂

  10. Just yesterday I had visited Whole Foods on a break and was starving. Even though I know there is nothing I could handle (because of the sugar contents) I still headed down the protien/ snack bar isle and started reading ingredient lists. I could not find ANY bar that contained less than 13 grams of sugar!
    I usually try to make my own that taste like a much less sweet version of the protein and greens type bars. Can’t wait to try yours, too. Thanks for posting this!

  12. I used to buy those things weekly. I cut that out about two years ago and then when I found out about all my food intolerances, I cut out just about anything in a package, lol. I’m likin’ your bars much better!

  13. The only time I bought high protein bars from the store was when I was in my first trimester. I was too sick/tired to make my own and needed quick snacks. I looked for the bars that were the least processed and had the fewest ingredients. Normally, I make my own though. I love the idea of making your cookies into bars–sounds fantastic!

  14. those look so good! I don’t like “wasting” 300 calories on a bar. There are plenty of other ways I’d rather get protein (Greek yogurt anyone??)

    I want to try making your recipe! It sounds awesome!

  17. These look soooo good!

    What are your thoughts on commercially-made protein bars? = generally made with fake ingredients
    Do you buy them?= yes sometimes! If so, do you have a favorite kind? =Balance Gold, Balance Cookie Dough, Blueberry Cliff, and tons more

    Would you consider making your own? = i do, all the time. But somehow i just cannot recreate balance cookie dough bars 🙂

  18. These look great! I stumbled on your blog after looking for some sugar-free recipes since I’m cutting all refined sugar out of my diet for a while. I’ve found a lot of good inspiration on your site and I can’t wait to make these protein bars!

  19. Hi,
    Great recipe. Made these today and tastes awesome.
    Bake time a little trial and error.
    Should center be moist or dry?

  20. Well, I hate to be negative, but your “protein bars” hardly have any protein. My nutritionist recommends that a serving of protein include at least 10 grams of protein, so eating one of these is only half a serving. They look like they’d be tasty, but they aren’t “protein bars.”