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Everything tastes better when you know it’s good for you! These Copycat Homemade Perfect Bars are a great way to fill your body with extra protein and make your taste buds do the happy dance. Topped with chocolate chips, they’re the perfect treat.
How to make homemade perfect bar recipe
Healthy protein bars right at home
There’s no denying it: granola-style bars are just better when they’re made at home! Maybe it’s the fresh ingredients, or maybe it’s the satisfaction of making your own, but something about them just tastes better.
For me, I’m all about grab-and-go style bars. Granola bars, protein bars, Perfect Bars, Clif Bars… I love them all. But when I started becoming more conscious of what I was eating and made the transition to a whole foods approach, I knew processed granola bars had to go.
Enter: My own copycat homemade perfect bars! If you’re unfamiliar, Perfect Bars are protein bars that come in a wide variety of flavors. The options are endless, and over time I’ve built up my stock pile of bar recipes to be pretty endless too!
On my website you’ll find all types of bars ranging from millionaire and s’mores bars to cookie dough and pumpkin oat bars. When you set your mind to it, you can make any recipe right at home!
So, let’s dive into creating copycat homemade perfect bars. It’s a no-bake recipe that won’t take much time at all!
Peanut butter protein bar ingredients
This recipe uses 8 different ingredients, many of which you probably already have at home. We’ll be using healthier ingredient options, which you can read more about down below!
- Oat flour (store bought is best for ultra fine texture)
- Vanilla protein powder
- Salt
- Natural peanut butter
- Honey
- Vanilla extract
- Coconut oil
- Mini chocolate chips
Tools used to create peanut butter protein bars
This recipe couldn’t be simpler. And with that, we’ll only need three tools plus various measuring cups!
- Large mixing bowl
- Mixing utensil
- Bread pan
- Measuring cups: 1/4 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 3/4 cup.
How to make copycat homemade perfect bars
These bars are incredibly simple to make. You’ll start by mixing the ingredients together, and then you’ll throw them in the fridge! This is a no-bake recipe that requires less than 10 minutes of prep time.
To make your own homemade perfect bars, we’re going to start by mixing the oat flour, protein powder, and salt in a large mixing owl.
Then, add the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp of the coconut oil.
Mix everything together. It will be very thick, so I suggest using your hands to ensure that everything incorporates well.
Eventually, the mix should come together like playdough. If it’s still too dry, add more coconut oil. However, don’t overdo the coconut oil as we want the bars to be firm and not too soft.
Next, mix in the chocolate chips using your hands or a spoon.
Once everything is mixed, press it into a bread pan and add more chocolate chips on top if desired. Press them into the top.
Let sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into the batter. Enjoy!
A healthier granola bar option
Just because thees bars are homemade doesn’t mean they can’t be protein-rich! We’re revving up the protein in these bars by including Vanilla protein powder (as well as oat flour and peanut butter). Any brand will do!
Throughout this recipe we also made some ingredient swaps to make this bar overall more whole and nutrient-rich than the processed versions you’d find in the grocery store.
Oat flour
Oat flour is a wonderful alternative to white flour. It includes more protein and fiber and comes with a lower carbohydrate count.
Natural peanut butter
Whenever I use nut butters, I always go for the all-natural options. The chemicals and preservatives present in processed versions are simply not worth it. If your grocery store carries it, all-natural is the way to go!
Honey
Honey is used as the sweetener in this recipe because it’s an all-natural option that tastes delicious and doesn’t contribute any unnecessary sugars. It’s a wonderfully sweet option!
Coconut oil
I used coconut oil in this recipe in place of alternatives like canola and vegetable oil. Coconut oil is known to be more nutrient-rich and a healthier fat than the former.
Peanut butter chocolate chip perfect bar tips
When it comes time to make your bars, take these tips into account to make the process as smooth and simple as possible!
8×4 bread pan
I like to use an 8×4 sized pan for this recipe, but any size will work! Since it’s no-bake, switching up the pan size is perfectly fine.
Add-ons
In addition to chocolate chips, there are a number of ways that you can add on to these bars! You can use white chocolate chips, nuts (like pecans or walnuts!), dried fruit, or even sprinkles.
Swapping peanut butter
If you’re more a cashew or almond butter person, feel free to use them. The peanut butter can be swapped at a 1:1 ratio with any similar nut butter!
Storage
Keep perfect bars sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy within 4-5 days.
More bar recipes to try
As I mentioned earlier, my blog is packed to the brim with countless bar recipes. You can choose from basically every flavor under the sun! Below are some of my favorites that I recommend trying ASAP.
- Healthy Cookie Dough Bars
- Pumpkin Oat Bars
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
- Healthier Millionaire Bars (Gluten-Free)
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis
Copycat Homemade Perfect Bars
Everything tastes better when you know it’s good for you! These Copycat Homemade Perfect Bars are a great way to fill your body with extra protein and make your taste buds do the happy dance. Topped with chocolate chips, they’re the perfect treat.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cupย oat flourย (store bought is best for ultra fine texture)
- 1/4 cupย vanilla protein powderย
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cupย honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Original version:
- In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt.
- Add in peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and 1 tbspย coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oilย will make them soft.
- Mix in chocolate chips, again using hand or spoon.
- Press into a bread pan (~8×4) and add more chocolate chips on top if desired. Press them into the top.
- Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
Cake Batter version:
In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Add in cashew butter, honey, 1 tsp almond extract, and 1 tbsp coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oil will make them soft. Mix in 1/2 cup sprinkles, again using hand or spoon. Press into a bread pan (~8×4) and add more sprinkles on top if desired. Press them into the top. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
Thin Mint Version:
mix 1 cup fine oat flour with 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. add 1/2 cup almond butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1 tbsp melted coconut oil, and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract. stir until well combined. add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. press into bread loaf pan. add more chocolate chips on top and refrigerate/freeze at least 30 min. store in fridge or freezer.ย
Pumpkin Version:
mix 1.5 cups fine oat flour with 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice. add 1/3 cup cashew butter, 1/4 cup pumpkin purรฉe, 1/3 cup honey, 1 tbsp melted coconut oil, 1 tsp vanilla. stir until well combined. add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. press into bread loaf pan. add more chocolate chips on top and refrigerate/freeze at least 30 min. store in fridge or freezer.ย
Pecan Pie Version:
mix 1.5 cups fine oat flour with 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp allspice. stir in 1/2 cup almond butter, 1/3 cup honey, 3 tbsp molasses, 1 tbsp melted coconut oil, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. stir until well combined. add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped pecans. press into bread loaf pan. add more chocolate chips on top and refrigerate/freeze at least 30 min. store in fridge or freezer.
Mocha Version:
mix 1 cup fine oat flour with 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup finely ground coffee grinds, and 1/4 tsp salt. stir in 1/2 cup almond butter, 1/3 cup honey, 1 tbsp melted coconut oil, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. stir until well combined. add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. press into bread loaf pan. add more chocolate chips on top and refrigerate/freeze at least 30 min. store in fridge or freezer. sprinkle with sea salt.
Strawberries & Cream Version
In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Add in cashew butter, honey, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tbsp coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oil will make them soft. Mix in 3/4 cup crushed freeze dried strawberries and 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, again using hand or spoon. Press into a bread pan (~8×4) and add more white chips and strawberries on top if desired. Press them into the top. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
Cookies & Cream Version
In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Add in cashew butter, honey, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 tbsp melted coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oil will make them soft. Mix in 3 crushed oreos and 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, again using hand or spoon. Press into a bread pan (~8×4) and add 2 more crushed oreos and a few more white chips on top if desired. Press them into the top. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
Almond Joy Version
In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Add in cashew butter, honey, 1/4 tsp almond extract, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 tbsp melted coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oil will make them soft. Mix in 1 cup desiccated coconut, 1/2 cup roughly chopped almonds, and 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, again using hand or spoon. Press into a bread pan (~8×4) and add more chocolate chips, almonds, and coconut on top if desired. Press them into the top. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
Blueberry Muffin Version
In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Add in cashew butter, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 tbsp melted coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oil will make them soft. Mix in 1/2 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup mini white chocolate chips, again using hand or spoon. Press into a bread pan (~8×4). To make the crumble, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 cup dried blueberries, and 1/4 cup mini white chocolate chips. Stir until combined. Press the crumble firmly into the top of the bars. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Version:
mix 1 1/4 cups fine oat flour with 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1.5 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1/4 cup finely ground coffee grinds (or instant coffee). Stir in 1/2 cup almond or cashew butter, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. stir until well combined. add 1/2 cup mini white chocolate chipsย press into bread loaf pan. add more chocolate chips on top and refrigerate/freeze at least 30 min. store in fridge or freezer.
White Chocolate Peppermint Version
In a large bowl, mix togetherย oat flour, protein powder, and salt. Add in cashew butter, honey, 1 tsp peppermint extract, and 2 tbsp coconut oil. Mix. It will be very thick, I suggest using your hands to really mix well. It should eventually come together like playdough, but if it’s still too dry add moreย coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too muchย coconut oil will make them soft. Mix in 1/2 cup crushed candy canes, again using hand or spoon. Press into a bread pan (~8×4) and add more candy canes and white chocolate chips on top if desired. Press them into the top. Let sit in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into. Store in fridge.
There may be affiliate links in this post!ย By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat ๐
Kelsey says
I NEVER leave comments on recipes but I had to here. This recipe is SPOT ON!! I followed it exact and like others said, itโs better than the store bought! I made the mistake of buying the mini version of these for my daughter and she loves them! I didnโt want to keep spending $8/box only to have them gone in less than a week. This recipe is a keeper and I will be making these weekly. So quick and easy and I love that I know exactly what is in them!!
Erin says
Hi Kelsey, so glad you loved them so much! ๐
Emma says
Seriously delicious! Better than an actual perfect bar. These never last long in our house! Thanks, Erin ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy you loved them so much! ๐
Erica says
Made the coconut version of these but have made the classic chocolate chip as well. Always so good ๐ great as a dessert or snack
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erica, so happy you loved them so much!! ๐
Alana says
I make these EVERY SINGLE WEEK. They are so so good. No recipe on the Internet has come close to this one. I always add in an extra scoop of protein, too. The texture is the same, if anything, I just add a little more coconut oil to wet it! Thank you Erin!
Erin says
Hi Alana, so happy you loved them so much!!
Sydney says
So easy to make and convenient to grab and go in the morning or for a snack. Love that you can easily customize (but also love that you provide ways to do so!!)
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sydney, so glad you loved them so much! ๐
Jaclyn says
The best!!! A weekly staple in our house! Thanks Erin!!!
Erin says
Hi Jaclyn, so happy you love them so much! ๐
Alicia Anderson says
★★★★★
Erin says
Thank you!!
Katie says
I love these perfect bars!! Been making them for years and tell everyone about them! Simply perfect!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy you loved them! ๐
emma salmon says
have you ever stored them in the fridge for longer than 4-5 days? I am always short on time so hoping I would be able to make a big batch and leave them for a couple of weeks and eat them as I go.
Erin says
Hi Emma, I would freeze them for longer if you don’t eat within a week.
Brenda says
Just a quick questions: I see the original recipe says coconut oil but quite a few after that say melted coconut oil. Was that an accidental omission or do u mix it as a solid in the original recipe?
TIA!!
Erin says
Hi Brenda, coconut oil should always be measured as melted. Hope this helps!!
Carrie says
Could you make these with almond flour?
Erin says
Hi Carrie, yes should be fine! Just triple check the ratio since not all flours are 1:1. Let me know how your bars come out! ๐
Erin says
These are so easy and so good!! 100x better than the actual perfect bar. Highly recommend making!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you loved them!!
Chelsey says
This is hands down the best copycat Perfect bar recipe out there. I tried the original version first and it was delicious! Made it exactly as stated and it turned out โperfectโ. I then got creative and tried replicating the layered perfect bars as those are my husbandโs favorite. I used the original version recipe but substituted a 1/2 cup chopped peanuts for the chocolate chips. I then added a thin layer of strawberry jam on top and finished off with a sprinkling of rolled oats. Phenomenal!! This copycat perfect bar recipe is one I will be coming back to again and again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chelsey, so happy you both love the bars so much! Thanks for sharing!! ๐
Maggie says
I have not made these yet but I was wondering what protein powder you use?
Can’t wait to give these a try!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Maggie, I use orgain vanilla! Let me know how your bars come out!
kaiya says
★★★★★
Erin says
Thank you so much! ๐
Eric says
★★★★★
Erin says
Thank you so much, Eric!!
Linda says
I’ve been making the chocolate chip bars for over a year. My son wants more protein, so I put in half oat flour and half protein powder. I always make a quad batch. 2 – 9 inch square pans. They freeze well. We also like the ones with freeze dried strawberries and vanilla chips. Thanks for the recipes.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy they’re a hit and you like multiple varieties of them! ๐
Stacey says
I loved these bars. Super easy to make and taste like store bought.
Erin says
Hi Stacey, so happy you loved them! ๐
Caroline Miller says
How long are the perfect bars going to be good in the fridge?
Erin says
Hi Caroline, I recommend you keep perfect bars sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy within 4-5 days!
Claudia Bigalke says
I make these bars weekly and have been for the past year. I think that they are SO much better than the actual perfect bars and everyone who has tried them when I make them absolutely loves them!
I normally just stick to the peanut butter and choc chip recipe, but this fall I tried pumpkin and it is just as good! These are a must-try recipe
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Claudia, so happy you love them so much! ๐
Erica says
I love these bars! They are better than the original version from the grocery store. These are a great pre-workout snack.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erica, so glad you love them so much!! ๐