This homemade copycat perfect bar recipe tastes just like the store-bought cookie dough version! Full of simple ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate chips, oat flour, and protein. Cheaper than store-bought and easy to make in less than 10 minutes!
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I love a good protein bar, but let's face it - buying pre-packaged protein bars can get expensive! I've become pretty obsessed with perfect bars lately, all the more reason to try to make them at home!
Making homemade snacks like date energy balls, vanilla almond granola, or homemade peanut butter cups can be even better than their packaged competitors!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Budget-friendly: Cheaper than $2-3 per bar you buy in the grocery store - just like these pumpkin protein bars!
- Lower in sugar: Lower in sugar and calories compared to the packaged version.
- Great for on-the-go snacking: An easy on-the-go treat you can make for after workouts or for a healthy after school snack.
- Dietary restriction-friendly: Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Ingredients For Homemade Perfect Bars
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
- Peanut butter: Use all-natural peanut butter. I like using Kirkland peanut butter because it has a thinner consistency. Almond butter or cashew butter also makes great homemade protein bars.
- Almond milk: Helps to bring the perfect bar mixture together.
- Vanilla extract (not shown above): Add a splash of vanilla extract to add a level of warm flavor.
- Protein powder: Add plant-based protein powder or whey protein powder if desired. Use any vanilla protein powder that you have on hand. I use Orgain Plant-Based vanilla protein.
- Honey: Sweeten with maple syrup to make these vegan.
- Mini chocolate chips: Add extra mini chocolate chips to the top of the bars.
- Salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt helps to balance out the sweet flavors.
How to Make No-Bake Homemade Perfect Bars
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
- Combine the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for the chocolate chips and sea salt.
- Mix it up. Mix until well incorporated.
- Add the chocolate chips. Fold in ¾ of the chocolate chips.
- Prepare the bread pan. Scoop bar batter into a bread pan (or an 8X8 pan) lined with parchment paper.
- Top the bars. Press in remaining chocolate chips and top with flaky sea salt.
- Chill and slice. Allow the bars to chill in the fridge for at least one hour before cutting. Cut 16 bars by cutting 8 bars diagonally and then each in half.
Hint: Instead of making bars, roll the peanut butter mixture into protein balls using a cookie scoop.
"Just like store-bought!"
"Taste just like the store-bought and very simple to make!"
Substitutions
- Nut-free - use nut-free butter like sunflower seed butter.
- Vegan sweetener - use maple syrup in place of honey.
- High-protein - add egg white powder or use a higher protein powder like whey protein.
Variations
Here are a few different variations of perfect bar recipes to try.
- Dark Chocolate Almond - use almond extract in place of vanilla extract and add chopped almonds.
- Birthday Cake - use almond extract and top with rainbow sprinkles - just like our birthday cake protein balls.
- Pumpkin - try these pumpkin protein bars for pumpkin spice flavor.
Equipment
To make this perfect bar recipe, you will need parchment paper and a bread pan.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Store in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Perfect bars are great to eat for a healthy snack or dessert! You can also have them before or after a workout.
Perfect bars are refrigerated bars filled with protein, nuts, nut butter, and other whole food ingredients. There are a number of flavors that Perfect Bars make.
Perfect bars are a healthy snack when following the serving size. They provide healthy macro nutrients and make for a great healthy snack.
Other Healthy Protein Snacks to Try
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Copycat Homemade Perfect Bar Recipe
Equipment
- bread pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 scoops Orgain vanilla protein
- 1 tablespoon oat flour
- 2 tablespoon raw honey
- ¼ cup almond milk
- ⅛ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for the chocolate chips and sea salt. Mix until well incorporated and then fold in ½ of the chocolate chips.1 cup natural peanut butter, 2 scoops Orgain vanilla protein, 1 tablespoon oat flour, 2 tablespoon raw honey, ¼ cup almond milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ⅛ cup chocolate chips
- Scoop bar mixture into a bread pan lined with parchment paper. Press in remaining chocolate chips and top with flaky sea salt.⅛ cup chocolate chips
- Allow to chill in the fridge for at least one hour before cutting. Cut 16 bars by cutting 8 bars diagonally and then each in half.
Notes
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Mackenzie says
Have you ever tried with PBfit
Lyndsey Piccolino says
I haven't! I'm not sure it would work because the base of the bars is really the thickness of the pb.
Mackenzie says
Loved this bar! For future reference for others, I used a little bit of homemade butter but mainly PB fit and added a little almond flour to thicken it! Tasted great still but a little too gooey so will prob try more almond flour with it next time!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
yum! so glad you liked it Mackenzie!
Lindsey says
Taste just like the store bought and very simple to make!
Lyndsey says
So glad you liked them! Thanks for your review Lindsey!