These Raspberry-Chocolate Protein Bars are delicious homemade protein bars, chock full of protein and flavor – perfect for pre or post-workout. 
I have a love-hate relationship with the gym.
I love the feeling I get after I’m done with a hard workout but I hate going.
I will try every excuse to not go. I’m so tired. Or my little boys don’t want to go to the childcare. Or I don’t want to ruin a perfectly good hair day.
Yep, I’ve tried it all. But when it comes down to it, I usually end up going and feeling better for it.
I have a good friend that goes with me to many of my gym classes. She and I sort of make each other go. Okay, fine. She makes me go. Ha! It’s good to have someone to workout with, that will encourage you to do more.
It’s also good to take care of your body when you do workout. You should have protein ideally within 20 minutes post-workout to build and repair the muscles you just worked. I usually make a protein shake when I get home from the gym.
Sometimes I get so sick of the protein shakes, though! I like to switch it out with store-bought protein bars but they’re really quite expensive. And when you look at the ingredients, they’re full of all sorts of weird things I can’t even pronounce. 
So I give you…homemade protein bars! These bars are great because:
- They’re super easy to make.
- They only have 6 easy ingredients.
- You keep the container of them right in the fridge and grab a piece when you start to feel hungry.
- They’re delicious & chewy and will satisfy a sweet craving along with the need for protein.
- One bar is just under 200 calories with 9.5 grams of protein, so it makes a great in-between meal snack!
Raspberry-Chocolate Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut or almond butter
- 1/3 cup blue agave or honey
- 1 cup instant rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chocolate protein powder I use CytoSport 100% whey
- 1/4 cup flaxseed
- 1/2 cup raspberries or blueberries work too! Also, you can leave them out if you don't like fruit in your protein bars.
Instructions
- Mix peanut butter and agave or honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until a consistent, smooth texture.
- Take off heat and pour in oats, protein and flaxseed. Stir until totally combined. Finally, fold in raspberries.
- Spread into a (5x9 inch) loaf pan and press down so it's a flat. Place in freezer for 1 hour.
- After an hour, take out bars from freezer and cut into long bars (or squares). Using wax or parchment paper to separate the bars, place in a plastic air-tight container in the refrigerator. Can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Nutrition
Feeling snack? Try these:
Skinny Blueberry Crumble Bars
No-Bake Granola Bites
Chewy No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
I want child care at the gym! That’d be great 🙂 Love these quick snacks!
Super delicious!! I love all your snack recipes. I hate exercising too, but I’ve been consistent so far this year which is a huge thing for me. Thanks for the recipe!
I too get really sick of protein drinks and smoothies. Especially in the winter when it’s just too cold outside. I’d love to just have a bunch of these protein bars whipped up for when I need them. They look and sound delicious!
These look delish! Do you think they would keep well in the freezer? Just thinking they would keep fresh longer that way … and I could just take one out of the freezer pre-workout so it’s ready to eat when I’m finished.
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Hi Sandra! I’ve never tried keeping them in the freezer before but it probably would work out just fine! Let me know if you do try it and how they taste. Thanks!
There are days when I don’t have the motivation to work out either but usually always feel better after I do 🙂 These protein bars look awesome, and yes – so perfect for a pre or post-workout 🙂
I loved protein shakes until I get pregnant and my sea urchin has a zero tolerance policy for drinking protein. I’m hopeful that mixing it into a bar would make it go down a little easier!
I’m the same way when it comes to working out, Jen! I just use the treadmill at home…so there’s no excuses….but I definitely don’t love it!! I do love these bars, though…..can’t WAIT to try them!
These are gorgeous! I love the combination of raspberry and chocolate!
Thanks so much, Tonia! XO!
love , love the way these look! Healthy but tasty, perfect! Checking these out from chef in training link party and pinned 🙂
Cathy
These look yummy! I will have to try these-I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, so I’ve been collecting high protein, low sugar and good carb snacks!
These are beautiful, Jen! I am more than a little behind on my workout routine, but when I get my bootie in gear, I’ll remember to have one of these delicious bars after my workout!
Do you know how much fiber these have? Just made these tonight, can’t wait to try them!
I don’t have an exact amount Courtney, I’m sorry! The way I find out nutrition info doest include fiber but I do know it does have quite a bit from the oats, raspberries, flaxseed and peanut butter! I hope you liked them!!
Can you use strawberries for the fruit and maybe vanilla flavored protein powder? ? These look so yummy, I am going to give them a try?
Hi Dana! You could definitely give it a try!! I bet blueberries would be good with vanilla protein too! Let me know how it turns out!
Chocolate, PB and raspberry protein bar that require all but 10 minutes and no baking – That is totally my type of homemade snack! They look absolutely delicious and I am just so tempted to make a batch right now.
These were SO good! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
So glad you liked them!
These were So. Stinking. GOOD!!! I am addicted, lol thanks for a great recipe!!
Hello!
Thank you for the recipe – I’m excited to make it! Just wanted to double check…should I keep the flaxseeds whole or grind them? I don’t use them very much so not sure what to do – thank you!
Ground flaxseed! Thank you for bringing that to my attention!