Store-bought protein bars are often a lie. They promise fuel, but deliver sugar, soy crisps, and a weirdly bitter aftertaste. If you’re after a protein boost that actually works on keto (and doesn’t taste like packing peanuts) then it’s time to go DIY.
These 10 low-carb protein bar recipes are real-food, no-bake (mostly), and freezer-friendly. Whether you want post-workout fuel or a desk-drawer snack, there’s something here that won’t spike your blood sugar or ruin your macros.
What Makes a Good Keto Protein Bar?
There’s more to a keto protein bar than just “low in carbs.” Here’s what to look for (or aim for if you’re making your own):
- Low net carbs (ideally under 5g per bar)
- 10–15g protein to keep you full
- Healthy fats from nuts, seeds, or coconut
- Binders like nut butter or protein powder to hold it all together
- Minimal weirdness? skip maltitol, fillers, and chalky textures
How to Make Low-Carb Protein Bars
Making them at home is surprisingly easy. Here’s the basic process:
- Choose your dry base: Almond flour, protein powder, coconut, or seeds
- Mix in flavour add-ins: Chopped nuts, spices, cacao, or sugar-free chocolate chips
- Stir in a wet binder: Nut butter, coconut oil, or eggs
- Sweeten with erythritol, stevia, or monk fruit
- Press into a pan and chill or bake if needed
And that’s it. These recipes do all the measuring and testing for you. Just pick your favourite and try not to eat the whole batch at once.
10 Keto-Friendly Protein Bar Recipes
| Recipe | Nutritional Information (per serve) | Time |
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Prep time: 15 mins | Chill time: 1 hour |
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Prep time: 5 mins | Chill time: 1 hour |
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Prep time: 10 mins | Chill time: 4-6 hours |
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Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 5 mins |
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Prep time: 15 mins | Chill time: 1 hour |
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Prep time: 10 mins | Chill time: 1 hour |
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Prep time: 30 mins | Cook time: 0 mins |
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Prep time: 15 mins | Chill time: 1-2 hours |
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Prep time: 10 mins | Chill time: 1 hour |
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Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 5 mins |
See also: Low Carb High Protein Soup Recipes
1. Keto Pecan Pie Protein Bars
Image credit: All Day I Dream About Food
If pecan pie and a protein bar had a baby, it’d be this. Rich with caramel flavour, packed with healthy fats, and bound with collagen, these no-bake bars are a freezer staple.
Per serve: 3g net carbs, 8.8g protein, 22.2g fat, 251 calories.
2. Low-Carb Protein Bars
Image credit: Oh So Foodie
Four ingredients. No oven. And somehow they taste like actual dessert. Peanut butter and keto vanilla protein make this an easy, family-friendly snack.
Per serve: 8.4g carbs, 3.8g protein, 15.6g fat, 242 calories.
3. Low-Carb Superfood Protein Bars
Image credit: Healthy Substitute
These bars are what your morning smoothie wishes it could be. Loaded with flax, cacao, hemp, and coconut oil—plus protein and peanut butter for staying power.
Per serve: 5.1g carbs, 5g protein, 7.5g fat, 102 calories.
4. Keto Protein Bars
Image credit: Joy Filled Eats
Nutty, salty, and satisfying. These bars get their bulk from hemp hearts and roasted peanuts, with a hit of creaminess from heavy cream and peanut butter chips.
Per serve: 2.8g carbs, 10.3g protein, 19.5g fat, 250 calories.
5. Chocolate-Covered Keto Protein Bars
Image credit: Keto Pots
A coconutty centre wrapped in a sugar-free chocolate shell; these feel more like a treat than a protein bar. No baking, just chilling (and maybe hiding from your family).
Per serve: 2.4g carbs, 1.8g protein, 6.9g fat, 70 calories.
6. Low-Carb Chocolate Fudge Protein Bars
Image credit: Sugarfree Mom
These nut-free chocolate bars use sunflower seed butter for richness and fibre. Great for freezing and perfect for chocoholics trying to avoid sugar crashes.
Per serve: 3g net carbs, 6g protein, 13g fat, 151 calories.
7. Protein Snickers Bar
Image credit: Low Carb Lab
This is your protein-packed answer to candy cravings. Peanuts, caramel, and chocolate in a surprisingly balanced low-carb format. Yes, it’s still keto.
Per serve: 9g carbs, 26.1g protein, 9g fat, 196 calories.
8. Keto Protein Bars with Hazelnuts
Image credit: Wholesome Yum
Hazelnuts, almond flour, collagen, and cocoa make these bars rich and fudgy. A drizzle of melted chocolate makes them look (and taste) way more indulgent than they are.
Per serve: 2g net carbs, 8g protein, 16g fat, 182 calories.
9. Homemade Protein Bars
Image credit: Diabetes Strong
These bars are basically peanut butter cups in disguise. Soft, nutty, and sweet without sugar, they’re packed with fibre and freezer-friendly too.
Per serve: 3.4g net carbs, 13.7g protein, 19.2g fat, 260 calories.
10. No-Bake Red Velvet Protein Bars
Image credit: The Big Man’s World
Yes, they’re red. Yes, they’re good. These no-bake bars are soft, slightly chocolatey, and naturally tinted with beet powder (don’t worry—you won’t taste it).
Per serve: 4g net carbs, 10g protein, 10g fat, 174 calories.
Wrap-Up: Why Homemade Protein Bars Win
The best part about homemade protein bars? You control everything. No weird fillers, no surprises, and no $4 per bar price tags. Once you find a few you like, it’s easy to batch prep and freeze. Most bars in this list hold up well in the fridge for up to a week or the freezer for months.
Experiment with mix-ins, tweak the sweetness, and build a snack stash that actually supports your goals. Whether it’s fuel for a workout or a midday pick-me-up, these keto-friendly bars do the job—without the crash.
See also:
Low Carb Keto Snacks |
High-Protein Keto Soups |
Keto Bread Recipes