These paleo protein bars need just 3 ingredients to make and require no baking! They make the perfect snack between meals.
Finding good protein bars is a challenge especially if you are looking for ones that don’t contain refined sugar, artificial additives, dairy, and gluten.
While our homemade protein bars are always a good option, they aren’t always suitable for those who follow a paleo diet.
Are protein bars ok on a paleo diet?
It is completely fine to have protein bars on a paleo diet. While not all protein bars are paleo-friendly, you can certainly find some. You can make paleo protein bars yourself and easily control the ingredients that go into them.
We love making our own because:
- Only 3 ingredients. All you need is coconut flour, protein powder, and milk!
- Made in 5 minutes. Only five minutes of prep work and you have a healthy protein-rich snack to enjoy throughout the entire week.
- Perfect texture. These protein bars are soft and chewy, just as we all like them to be.
What I love about this recipe is just how easy they are to customize! Add mix-ins, dip them in chocolate, or dust them with powdered sugar: the possibilities are endless!
Ingredients needed
This recipe calls for three simple ingredients that are commonly found in paleo recipes. Here is what you’ll need:
- Coconut flour. Sifted.
- Protein powder. Flavored protein powder of choice.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk but any milk works.
Optional ingredients:
- Nut butter. Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
- Chocolate chips. Dairy-free unsweetened chocolate chips are suitable for those on a paleo diet.
How to make paleo protein bars
Start by mixing the coconut flour with protein powder. Add the nut butter if you are using any.
Next, add the dairy-free milk to the dry mixture. Pour in ¼ cup of milk at a time and mix until a thick batter is formed.
Transfer the mixture to a pan lined with parchment paper and press firmly. If using chocolate chips, add them on top and refrigerate them for 30 minutes.
Once set, cut into slices and enjoy.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Drizzle with melted chocolate. Melt the dairy-free chocolate chips and drizzle over the protein bars to make them look more presentable.
- Keep the protein bars individually wrapped. Once you slice your paleo-friendly protein bars, wrap them individually in parchment paper so that you can grab one and go about your day whenever needed.
- Adjust the amount of milk you use. Depending on the brand of the coconut flour, you may need to add more milk to achieve the needed consistency for the bars.
Flavor variations
The beauty of these bars is just how easy they are to customize. Here are some ideas:
- Sweeten with maple syrup. If you want the protein bars to be sweeter, add some pure maple syrup to the mixture.
- Use sunflower seed butter. In case you don’t have any nut butter at home or simply don’t like them, use sunflower seed butter instead. Make sure it doesn’t contain any additives that make it unsuitable for a paleo diet.
- Add cinnamon. If you are using unflavored protein powder, add some ground cinnamon to the bar mixture to achieve a richer flavor.
Storage instructions
To store: Keep these paleo protein bars refrigerated. Stored in an airtight container, the bars will keep well for up to 7 days.
To freeze: You can also wrap the bars in food wrap and freeze them for up to 3 months. Allow the bars to sit at room temperature for around 10 minutes before eating.
More protein bar recipes to try
- Cinnamon protein bars
- Banana protein bars
- Keto protein bars
- Coconut protein bars
- Cookie dough protein bars
Frequently asked questions
Clif makes bars of different types and flavors. Luckily, you can find some that are paleo-friendly. Check the ingredient list to make sure it is suitable first.
While not all RXBares are paleo-approved, many of them are. Chocolate Coconut, Mixed Berry, Apple Cinnamon, and Blueberry are some of the most popular RXBar paleo-friendly flavors.
When made with a no added sugar protein powder, these bars are low carb.
Share this recipe on Pinterest
Love this Paleo Protein Bars recipe?
Share it with the world on Pinterest.
Paleo Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut flour sifted
- 2 cups protein powder flavored
- 1/2 cup milk of choice * See notes
- 1/2 cup almond butter optional
- 1 cup Dairy free chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch baking tray with baking paper, grease it and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut flour and protein powder and mix well. If using the optional nut butter, add that in now.
- Using a 1/4 cup at a time, add your milk of choice until a very thick batter is formed.
- Transfer the batter to the lined pan and press firmly in place. Top with optional chocolate chips and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Slice into bars and keep refrigerated.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
Agree that it’s so difficult to come by a Paleo friendly bar that actually has protein. Most have dairy and also sugar alcohols they don’t sit well. I’ve mostly accepted snack bars are going to be higher in sugar generally!
Right? They are so hard to find!
They look yummy! So easy too?
I feel good if a bar has around 9-12 grams of protein. I love Cliff bars and Luna bars and I can usually find them for a pretty good price.
YES! 12 would be my minimum too!
Would an 8×8 pan work for this recipe? They look fantastic! 🙂 My favorite store-bought protein bar is probably Vega One or some sort of all-natural bar. I used to eat Quest Bars all the time but they didn’t make my stomach feel good.
Hi Marina! I reckon any sized pan (not an extra large one!) would work- You’d have bars of different thickness, depending on what you’d like! 🙂
I don’t understand how this could be paleo with protein powder in the recipe?
There are many protein powder brands which are 100% paleo
I’m not paleo, but if I’m going to buy a protein bar I want at least 15 grams of protein, otherwise I don’t see how it will fill me up at all.
The only store-bought snack bars I can remember buying are Kind bars. They have a dark chocolate/PB one that’s really good!
Right? There was one bar which had like …. 2 grams and claimed to be high protein.
I think Snickers have more than that…just sayin:)
Totally agree the more Paleo friendly versions aren’t actual protein bars. I think Larabars are Paleo? At least some of them. They’re made mostly with dates…which I guess I assume are Paleo? Haha. But they don’t usually have much protein at all!
Omg. Larabars.
I once ate a whole box of the mini ones thinking they were single serve.
My favorite protien bar right now is probably the Luna protein salted caramel. It’s so good!
mmm that sounds great!
OMG. These are epic. who knew those 3 simple ingredients could result in delicious protein bars! Two questions: what type/brand of protein powder do you like using for this recipe? Also, are the bars in this post the ones made with the optional nut butter or without? Thanks! 🙂
Hi Kaila! I tried it with the three protein powders listed in the post. I find that casein works the best- In fact, that one didn’t need any nut butter. The pictured ones did use nut butter but that is because I used a vegan one for the shoot.
Awesome! I will try them with Quest protein powder!
I don’t think I could live without coconut flour, it’s a daily necessity and without it I would go crazy!
Right? I would do a tucked full in dismount of the bars for it.
Coconut flour is my favorite, and I love these bars, too! The first time I bought a bag, I took a pinch and ate it raw. It was definitely love at first bite! Lol!
LOL. Oh Joanne…
i’ve done that too!
I like your recipe style sir. I’m the laziest baker/cooker, so the simpler, the better. BAM.
😀 Thanks buddy!
What kind of protein powder are you using ??
Hi Donna! I included the three I trialled successfully with in the post 🙂
Why does this post claim only 3 ingredients? Seems more like 5 to me??
Yep, it sure is 3 ingredients- 2 are 100% optional! 🙂
Coconut flour is one of my favorite ingredients too! It is so versatile!
And protein packed snacks are my jam! These sound so simple and delicious!
Right? I would bath in it, but it would absorb all the bath water.
These look perfect for taking on the run for a snack Arman! We have this new amazonia paleo protein despite the fact it has quinoa in it… ha. Will be making these with it when the whole 30 is o to the over!
YES! Please do, you’ll enjoy it!
Another simple recipe FOR THE WIN. You go, Arman!!!
-B
Thanks Glen Coco!
I think this is the only paleo protein bar recipe I have come across that doesn’t include a ton of nuts, dried fruit, or added sweetener. Genius!
Right? Thank you so much 🙂