Looking for a healthy and customizable on-the-go breakfast or snack? Learn how to make your own protein cereal bars with just a few simple ingredients.
Whether you’re running out the door in the morning or need a quick afternoon snack a cereal bar is an easy option to reach for. While store-bought bars aren’t always the healthiest, it’s actually quite easy to make your own cereal bars at home with just a handful of simple ingredients.
In just a matter of minutes you can whip up a healthy, easily customizable batch of these protein cereal bars to keep on hand throughout the week. Grab a bar as you head out the door for an easy on-the-go breakfast, or enjoy one as an afternoon treat.
Cereal Bars
The best part about making your own cereal bars is you control what goes in them. In this case we’re adding a protein boost to make the bars a bit more filling and nutritious.
You only need four basic ingredients (cereal, sweetener, nut or seed butter and protein powder) but you can customize the bars by adding vanilla or cinnamon or mixing in your favorite add-ins like nuts, seeds, dried-fruit, mini chocolate chips, etc… Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredient Notes:
(Here are a few notes about the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe. As always find the full list of ingredients and directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Nut or Seed Butter – I like to use almond butter but you can also use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version or substitute the nut butter of your choice. Just be sure to choose one that’s creamy and unsweetened.
- Sweetener – My preferred sweetener is honey as I find it creates a firmer bar that’s easier to cut and tastes great with the almond butter. You can also use maple syrup but expect the bars to be slightly stickier.
- Cereal – The cereal you use will determine the nutritional profile of the bars so choose one that’s gluten-free if needed and preferably low in sugar and higher in protein. I like to use a traditional o-shaped cereal that’s gluten-free, grain-free, with no add sugar that’s also high in protein for additional protein. You could also use a puffed rice cereal or the unsweetened cereal of your choice.
- Protein – My preference here is a 100% egg white protein powder (also called dried egg white powder). Egg white powder has a fine powdery texture and neutral flavor that is virtually undetectable. It’s my preferred protein powder for these bars as it’s a high quality single ingredient source of unsweetened protein that doesn’t deter from the other flavors in the bars. I’ve also tested the recipe with plain unsweetened whey powder which works as well but I much prefer the neutral taste and smoother texture of the ones made with egg white powder. Feel free to experiment with your favorite protein powder (vegan or plant-based if desired) but make sure to choose one that is fine and powdery (not gritty) as well as unsweetened. I would not recommend collagen peptides here.
- Flavorings – A little vanilla or cinnamon compliments the combination of almond butter and honey. Play around with other seasonal flavorings like pumpkin pie or gingerbread spice if you’d like.
- Add-In’s (Optional) – While the bars are delicious as is, it’s fun to add in a few extras. Try adding chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, shredded coconut or mini chocolate chips.
How to Make Protein Cereal Bars:
(Here are the basic steps and some helpful tips on how to make the recipe. Find the full directions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Start by warming the almond butter (or seed butter) with your sweetener in a large heat proof bowl set above a pot of gently simmering water. The heat from the pan of water underneath the bowl will gently warm the mixture without burning or overheating it. If you have a microwave, you can also do this by heating the mixture in small increments until easily stirred. If you are using any flavorings such as vanilla or cinnamon this is the time to add them.
- Once the mixture is warm and smooth, stir in your protein powder until smooth, then add in your cereal of choice and stir until well coated. If you are using any add-in’s this is the time to stir them in.
- Pour the mixture out into a parchment-lined pan and using a lightly greased piece of parchment paper press the mixture firmly into an even layer.
- Pop the pan in the fridge and let the bars firm up before cutting.
Add that’s it, your batch of homemade protein cereal bars are ready to eat!
Variations:
- Use sunflower butter for a nut-free option or the nut butter of your choice.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Use the unsweetened protein powder of your choice. (Choose a vegan protein powder and use maple syrup to make the cereal bars vegan).
- Use vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or ginger bread spice to flavor the bars.
- Stir in chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, shredded coconut or mini chocolate chips if desired.
Protein Cereal Bars
Looking for a healthy and customizable on-the-go breakfast or snack? Learn how to make your own protein cereal bars with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- ½ cup/128g almond butter (or nut butter/seed butter of choice)
- ⅓ cup/126g honey
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract)
- ¼ cup/20g egg white protein powder (or unsweetened protein powder of choice)
- 3 cups/105g unsweetened gluten-free/grain-free o-shaped cereal (or unsweetened cereal of choice)
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, set aside.
- Combine almond butter, honey and cinnamon in a medium sized heat proof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water to create a double boiler. Stir mixture over low heat until smooth.
- Remove bowl from heat and stir in protein powder until smooth.
- Add cereal and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture into lined pan, and using a lightly greased piece of parchment paper, press down firmly to create an even layer.
- Refrigerate bars until firm, then cut into squares. Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Notes
Variations:
- Use sunflower butter for a nut-free option or the nut butter of your choice.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Use the unsweetened protein powder of your choice. (Choose a vegan protein powder and use maple syrup to make the cereal bars vegan).
- Use vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or gingerbread spice to flavor the bars.
- Stir in chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, shredded coconut or mini chocolate chips if desired.
Storage:
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge.
Dietary Info:
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey, Pesticide Free, Fair Trade, Non GMO & Non Glyphosate, 16 Ounce Squeeze Bottle (Pack of 1) (00280721) -
Judee’s Dried Egg White Powder 16 oz - Pasteurized - Delicious and 100% Gluten-Free - Great for Breakfast and Camping Meals - Use to Make Meringue, Royal Icing, and Shakes -
Plant-Based and Vegan Breakfast Cereal by Three Wishes - Unsweetened, 1 Pack - More Protein and Less Sugar Snack - Gluten-Free, Grain-Free - Non-GMO
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 98Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 5g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
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