This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
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
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
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 cup oat flour (store bought is best for ultra fine texture)
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup 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 together oat flour, protein powder, and salt.
- Add in peanut butter, honey, vanilla 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much coconut oil 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 together 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much 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.
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 purée, 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.
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 together 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much 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 together 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much 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 together 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much 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 together 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much 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 chips 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 together 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 more coconut oil. You want them to be FIRM not soft and too much 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! 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 🙂
sarah says
These are AMAZING! Hesitated to make them because I am not a huge fan of protein powder, but I went with Erin’s recommendation of Orgain plant based powder and these are now one of my absolute favorites! I have made several flavors and even shared with my co-workers, huge hit! People could not believe I made these, way better (and cheaper) than store bought!
Erin says
Hi Sarah, thank you for sharing and glad everyone enjoys them!!
Rachael says
Never had a store-bought perfect bar before and probably never will thanks to this recipe. So good and so easy…I literally crave them. Thanks, Erin!
Erin says
Hi Rachael, so glad you loved them so much!
Lauren Passilla says
I made the thin mint modification of these bars and they are incredible!! So easy and shareable!
Erin says
Hi Lauren, I love to hear that!! Thanks for sharing!
HD says
I LOVE these bars! There’s so many variations, and it’s easy to make your unique ‘perfect’ bar. I’m all about simple recipes, and this one is no fuss! I love making them on the weekend and then being able to just grab them and go whenever I’m running short on time.
Erin says
Hi! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Grace says
These are AMAZING! I love perfect bars and I honestly think these are better. The first time I made them my family ate them so fast and my little sisters constantly ask me to make them. I have to triple the recipe and they are gone in DAYS! Absolutely love your recipes!
Erin says
Hi Grace, I am so happy your family loved them so much! Thanks for sharing!
Alisha says
These bars are exactly what they’re called… PERFECT. They are the best on-the-go snack, little late night treat or great for a quick breakfast. I can’t even count how many times I’ve made them! They just never get old. Thanks for the quick, easy, no-bake recipe, Erin!
Erin says
Hi Alisha, so glad you loved them!! 🙂
Ilana says
These are SO good. I usually buy perfect bars at the store, but they can get pricey so this is a great alternative. I meal prep them on sundays, and they’re such an easy snack for post-workouts throughout the week! As usual, Erin killed it. P.S. They’re best with rainbow sprinkles 🙂
Erin says
Hi Ilana, thanks for sharing and yes- the rainbow colors are the best aren’t they?
Clarissa E Puig says
What brand of coconut nut oil do recommend? And what should one look for in coconut oil? Refined, not refined? Anything else?
Erin says
Hi Clarissa, I recommend Better Body Foods Refined (if you buy unrefined it will have a coconut taste)!
Neha says
Hi Erin!
I made these but they could be better. First, I think the protein powder I used left a little aftertaste so I need to try another brand. Also, I realized from the comments what might be different. I buy unsalted unsweetened peanut butter. If Perfect Bar uses salted then that might be another reason they weren’t quite as good. Does your PB have salt? I didn’t rate the recipe until I try again with changes. Thank you.
Erin says
Hi Neha, yes, every protein powder is different. Many are chalky and too fake tasting. I recommend Orgain Vanilla protein. Also, use salted pb next time! Game changer.
Katelyn says
Tastes just like perfect bars for literally a FRACTION of the cost. (Not paying $2-3 per bar anymore).I think the biggest taste difference came from the protein powder so I made them twice with 2 different brands of vanilla protein powder and found that the second one I used worked out much better. So, if they don’t turn out exact the first time switch it up a lil!
Erin says
Hi Katelyn, I am so happy you like them and glad you found a protein powder you like! 🙂
Meg says
Hi these look outstanding! I was excited to make them. I purchased the arrowhead mills oat flour on amazon from the recipe link. When I read the back of the bag it says do not consume raw flour, must be cooked. Does your say this? Is it safe to eat uncooked in the perfect bars?
Erin says
Hi Meg, I eat it all the time raw. One thing you can do is bake your flour for 5 minutes at 350 if you are concerned.
Meg says
Erin, thank you for the heating the flour tip! I made these and the texture is spot on. My husband and I both agree the taste is even better than the original perfect bars! I can’t wait to try some other variations. Oh, I decreased the chocolate chips to 1/4 cup and that was plenty to us! So for anyone wanting less sugar that’s a great tip.
Erin says
Hi Meg, I am thrilled you both love them and made them your own!
Pamela says
Easy and delicious! Can’t believe how much they taste like a perfect bar. I used almond flour and they were amazing.
Erin says
Hi Pamela, I am so glad you loved them! 🙂
Megan says
Better than the original! I even added some collagen for extra protein. Truly takes like a cookie/dough! Thanks for creating!!
Erin says
Hi Megan, I am so happy you liked them!
Laura toigo says
These perfect bars are great. I have made them using homemade oat “flour”, putting the oats in a food processor and it definitely still works but the texture is much less crumbled when using store bought coarse oat flour. I also like to add a little bit more of the “wet” ingredients, personally. But the flavor is incredible, and I’ve tried the cake batter variation, as well as the newest thin mint version. Love them all! Always in my rotation for an easy snack/breakfast
Erin says
Hi Laura, thanks for you kind words and let me know how they come out next time!
Christina says
These are amazing! My fiancé begs me to make these at least once a week. He says they’re way better than store-bought Perfect bars. And they’re so easy to make. Highly recommend!!!
Erin says
Hi Christina, ah I love to hear that! Glad you both love them so much!
Sara says
We’ve made every version of these bars and they’re all amazing. We use unsweetened sun butter because my sons school is nut-free.
Erin says
Hi Sara, I am so glad everyone liked them and you made them your own!
Jennifer says
Everyone NEEDS to make these. I like perfect bars but to be honest I think they are too sweet but these are just perfect! I just made the mint chocolate chip version and it is my favorite. Probably most definitely goin to make another batch already!!
Erin says
Hi Jennifer, thanks for your kind words! I am so glad you enjoyed them so much!
Erin says
Best bars ever! I use peanut butter and its perfect. Honestly, I think these are even better than the real thing and literally come together in 10 minutes. I make these weekly for snacks for a fraction of how much the bars cost at the store.
Erin says
Hi Erin, ah thanks for sharing! SO glad you like them and yes- much more cost efficient!
Sara says
SHH don’t tell perfect bar but these are SO MUCH BETTER. Perfect texture and balance of sweet and salty – I’ll never go back.
Erin says
Hi Sara, ah I am so glad you love it, and your secret is safe with me!
Peyton says
These will forever be my fav recipe. I add in caramel chocolate protein powder and it’s divine. Truly
Erin says
Hi Peyton, thank you so much! I am so happy you enjoy them and make them your own!
Laurie says
Love the bars. Have you tried freezing them?
Erin says
Hi Laurie, thanks for your kind words! Yes, I freeze them all the time! So easy! Hope you enjoy them!