Best Keto Protein Bars 4 Ingredients

Love healthy keto snacks? Try my keto smoothie, keto chips, keto crackers, and keto trail mix next. Even before I went on a keto diet, protein bars were a staple. I’d have one after a heavy workout or as a post-dinner snack. During my busy work periods, I’d enjoy having one or two for an on-the-go breakfast, and they kept me energized until lunch.

Why I love this recipe

Made with 4 ingredients. Count them yourself! Just a nut butter (almond), sticky sweetener (keto maple syrup), protein powder and some sugar free chocolate to give them a chocolate shell! Cheaper to make. A keto protein bar bought in the grocery store will cost at least $5 a punch. For 12 homemade protein bars, they work out to be less than a dollar each! Healthier than store-bought. Unlike packaged snacks or protein bars that contain fillers and artificial sweeteners, these use wholesome and healthy ingredients that you can pronounce! They are high in fiber and healthy fats. Thick, soft, and chewy. The texture of these keto bars is almost like fudge, and it tastes like it too- With the addition of the chocolate shell.

Ingredients needed

Almond butter. Smooth almond butter with no added sugar. If you’d like a nut-free option, you can use tahini or sunflower seed butter. Sugar free maple syrup. Helps make the protein bars soft and chewy, while adding sweetness. Skip the expensive store-bought syrups and make your own. Protein powder. Vanilla or unflavored protein powder. I recommend using casein or a blend of casein and whey protein powder. Chocolate. Melted sugar free chocolate chips or sugar free white chocolate to coat the bars in.

How to make keto protein bars

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Although high in protein, not all protein bars are suitable for a keto diet. Many of them contain added sugars and grains, and some have over 30 grams of carbs per bar! Luckily, you can make your own HOMEMADE keto bars that are cheaper and more delicious, and they take seconds to prepare. Step 1- Make the base. Whisk the almond butter and maple syrup into a bowl until combined. Slowly add the protein powder, then knead the dough using your hands. If the dough if too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water. Step 2- Chill. Transfer the batter to a greased 8 x 8-inch pan. Refrigerate the protein bars for at least an hour to firm up. Once firm, slice them into bars. Step 3- Cover in chocolate. Melt down your chocolate. Using two forks, dip each protein bar in the melted chocolate until fully coated. Place them on a wire rack to firm up.

Arman’s recipe tips

If your dough is too thick, add some water (or almond milk) to thin it out. The chocolate coating is optional. However, if you omit them from the protein bars, they will need to be stored in the refrigerator. Ensure you like the taste of your protein powder, as the flavor can be quite evident throughout.

Storage instructions

To store: Leftover protein bars can keep at room temperature, covered, for up to one week. If you’d like to keep them longer, store them in the refrigerator. The base recipe is like a blank canvas, and can be jazzed up in multiple ways to change up the flavor!

Cake batter. Use vanilla protein powder and fold through 1/2 cup of sugar free sprinkles. Chocolate. Use chocolate protein powder and add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the dough. Peanut butter. Replace the almond butter with peanut butter. Double chocolate. Use chocolate protein powder, add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the dough. Cookie dough. Fold through 1/2 cup of crushed keto cookies and 1/4 cup of chocolate chips.

To freeze: Place protein bars in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.