Greek Yogurt Protein Bars Recipe

Introduction

Craving a snack that’s creamy, protein-packed, and absolutely crave-worthy? These Greek Yogurt Protein Bars are perfect for breakfast on the run, post-workout fuel, or an afternoon pick-me-up. Ready in under 15 minutes plus chill time, they slice like brownies, taste like dessert, and keep you full for hours.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 g) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup (120 g) whey or plant protein powder
• 1 cup (90 g) rolled oats
• ⅓ cup (80 g) nut or seed butter
• 3 Tbsp (60 g) honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup mix-ins (optional; nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chocolate chips)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Line an 8×8″ (20×20 cm) square pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, protein powder, and a pinch of salt to ensure no clumps.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, nut or seed butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
4. Step 4: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until every oat is coated. The dough should be tacky but not soupy. If too dry, add 1-2 Tbsp milk; if too wet, add 1-2 Tbsp oats or protein powder.
5. Step 5: Fold in your chosen mix-ins, about ½ cup total, then press lightly so they stay on top and inside the mixture.
6. Step 6: Transfer the mixture to the lined pan. Lay a second piece of parchment on top and press firmly with your hands or the bottom of a small pan for an even, compact surface.
7. Step 7: Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours for soft bars, or freeze for 30 minutes for a firmer, brownie-like bite.
8. Step 8: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment edges, and slice into 8 or 12 bars with a sharp knife, wiping the blade between cuts for clean edges.

Tips & Variations

• Press the mixture firmly into the pan to prevent crumbly edges and help the bars hold together.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 2 Tbsp cocoa powder to the dry mix and use peanut butter plus chopped peanuts for mix-ins.
• Berry Swirl: Drop 2 Tbsp fruit jam into the wet mix and swirl lightly with a toothpick; top with freeze-dried berries.
• Tropical Crunch: Mix in shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts; drizzle with melted white chocolate for extra decadence.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut or almond yogurt and use plant-based protein powder.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, wrap bars individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen bars in the fridge for about 10 minutes before eating. To keep bars from sticking, place parchment paper between layers.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Why are my bars crumbly?

They may be under-pressed or lack enough binder. Press the mixture firmly when shaping and try increasing the nut butter or honey by 1 tablespoon to improve cohesion.

Can I bake these bars?

Yes! Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for 10 minutes on parchment, then cool completely. Baking yields a chewier texture compared to the no-bake version.

Greek Yogurt Protein Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 124 reviews

Greek Yogurt Protein Bars are creamy, protein-packed snacks perfect for breakfast, post-workout fuel, or an afternoon pick-me-up. Ready in under 15 minutes plus chilling time, these no-bake bars slice like brownies and offer a delicious, healthy alternative to traditional snacks with customizable mix-in options.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 0 min
• Total Time: 2 hr 10 min
• Yield: 8 bars 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 g) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup (120 g) whey or plant protein powder
• 1 cup (90 g) rolled oats
• ⅓ cup (80 g) nut or seed butter
• 3 Tbsp (60 g) honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Optional Mix-Ins

• ½ cup total nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chocolate chips (e.g., chopped almonds + dark chocolate chips, chia seeds + dried blueberries, shredded coconut + cacao nibs)

Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together rolled oats, protein powder, and a pinch of salt to ensure there are no clumps in the mixture.
2. Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, nut or seed butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
3. Fold Wet into Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until every oat is coated and the dough is tacky but not soupy. Adjust consistency if needed by adding 1–2 Tbsp milk to moisten or oats/protein powder to thicken.
4. Stir in Mix-Ins: Fold in your choice of ½ cup mix-ins such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or chocolate chips. Press lightly to distribute evenly within the dough.
5. Press & Smooth: Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined 8×8″ pan. Lay a second parchment paper on top and press firmly with your hands or the bottom of a small pan to create an even, compact surface.
6. Chill Until Set: Refrigerate for 2 hours for a soft, fudgy texture or freeze for 30 minutes for a firmer, brownie-like bite.
7. Slice into Bars: Lift the mixture out of the pan using the parchment edges and cut into 8 bars using a sharp knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for clean edges.

Notes

• Pressing the mixture firmly is key for bars that hold together well.
• Chilling time affects texture: fridge yields tender bars, freezer yields firm bars.
• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• For longer storage, freeze bars individually wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw in the fridge for 10 minutes before serving.
• Variations include adding cocoa powder, fruit jam swirls, shredded coconut, or different nuts for flavor twists.
• Adjust consistency by adding small amounts of milk or dry ingredients if mixture is too dry or wet.
• For a dairy-free option, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut or almond yogurt and use plant-based protein powder.

Keywords: Greek yogurt protein bars, no bake protein bars, healthy snacks, high protein snacks, easy protein bars, low sugar snacks, post workout snack