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If you’re looking for a healthy snack that’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and packs 11 grams of protein, this is your recipe! Sweet mixed berries and a rich peanut butter oat base create the ultimate sweet treat.
I love oat bars. But, I struggle finding the right one when I’m grocery shopping.
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Join Today!They are all either heavily processed with ingredients I really can’t understand, or they are so packed with sugar that it would be better to get a candy bar instead.
These berry protein oat bars are everything store-bought bars promise to be, and that actually delivers.
Here, a thick, jam layer of mixed berries and chia seeds sits between two layers of chewy peanut butter oat base.
Each bar brings 11 grams of protein, over 4 grams of fiber, and a short list of ingredients you actually can read.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItThe result is a delicious treat you can enjoy as a night-time dessert or as a healthy snack to take along.
So, if you are ready for a snack that has no filler, no mystery additives, just real food that tastes like a treat, you are going to love this recipe.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Frozen mixed berries (1 cup) – Swap with fresh berries or any other chopped dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, dates, or apricots.
Water (1/4 cup)
Chia seeds (2 tbsp) – Substitute with flaxseeds or hemp seeds.
Whey protein (1/4 cup) – Replace with any plant-based protein powder or powdered peanut butter.
Maple syrup (1/3 cup) – Switch with honey, agave syrup, or coconut sugar syrup. If you want to lower the carbs and calories, use a sugar-free alternative.
Coconut oil, melted (2 tbsp) – You can also use melted butter (or ghee) or avocado oil.
Peanut butter (1/2 cup) – Use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative.
Rolled oats (1 cup) – Swap with quick oats or a mix of oats.
Oat flour (1 cup) – Substitute with almond flour, whole wheat gluten (it’s not gluten-free), or coconut flour.
How to Make Berry Protein Oat Bars
Step 1. Prepare a 5×9-inch loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper. Grab a saucepan and place it over medium heat.
Add the berries, water, and chia seeds.
Step 2. Bring the berries to a boil, mash them, and cook until it thickens. Once it thickens, remove from the heat and add the protein powder.
Stir to combine all the ingredients and let it cool down.
Step 3. In another bowl, mix the maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and peanut butter.
Step 4. Then, add the rolled oats and oat flour. Mix until everything is all combined.
Step 5. Transfer 2/3 of the oats mix into the loaf pan. Use a spatula and press the mix to even everything out.
Step 6. Spread the berry mix over the oat base.
Step 7. Crumble the rest of the oat mix on top and press it lightly.
Step 8. Place it in the fridge for 3-4 hours until it sets and slice it into 8 bars.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItHow I Would Modify This Recipe
- Make it chocolatey: Add some sugar-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs if you want to make the bars extra indulgent.
- Nut–free version: Replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and just make sure that the oats and protein powder are certified nut-free.
- Lower the sugar: Replace the maple syrup with a sugar-free sweetener.
My Tips & Tricks
- Let the jam cool down: If it’s still warm when you add it to the oat base, it can make the base soggy and more challenging for it to set.
- Use parchment paper with overhang: This makes it much easier to lift out of the pan before slicing.
- Slice with a sharp, cold knife: Run the knife under cold water between cuts to have cleaner edges.
My Storage Tips
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 7 days. I recommend placing parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking.
If you want to keep them for longer, wrap them individually and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Berry Protein Oat Bars
Cals: 306 Protein: 11.2 Carbs: 35.4 Fat: 14.7
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/4 cup whey protein
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup oat flour
Instructions
- Line a 5×9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, combine berries, water, and chia seeds. Bring to a boil, mash the berries, and cook until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in protein powder until fully combined. Let cool.
- In a bowl, mix maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and peanut butter.
- Add rolled oats and oat flour. Mix until combined.
- Press 2/3 of the mixture into the loaf pan.
- Spread the berry-protein jam over the base.
- Crumble remaining mixture on top and press lightly.
- Refrigerate for 3–4 hours, until set.
- Slice into 8 bars and serve. Store in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Want to keep these dairy free. Anything I can use instead of the protein powder, even if this means they contain less protein?
You can use vegan protein powder. You can also just skip it all together, just add less water.
Texture was off, but this was my first time trying chia seeds, so I understand that I didn’t quite like it. I also used frozen strawberries instead of mixed berries and almond butter instead of peanut butter. It also wasn’t very bar-like and didn’t keep their shape. I thought I had mashed it down well enough. I would freeze them to help keep their shape better. Thanks Karolina! I’m going to keep trying more of your recipes! I made your Ham & Cheese scones the other day 🙂
Hello Reese! Are you sure you haven’t skipped coconut oil? It helps the bars to stay together. I’ve made this recipe multiple times and our photographer has made them too, and they’re pretty hard to mess up unless you skip coconut oil. It really helps the bars to stay together.