11 Easy, High-Protein Snack And Treat Recipes For Bars And Cakes

By /

As you age, getting enough protein helps you stay strong, preserve muscle, and feel full longer. It plays a key role in daily energy and long-term health. Many snack recipes rely on peanut butter, but it’s not for everyone. Almond butter is a simple, tasty swap that works just as well. These 11 easy, high-protein snack and treat recipes for bars and cakes use everyday ingredients to help you get more protein—without the peanut butter.

Many of these recipes are potentially gluten-free, but do check the ingredients listed on the protein powder containers.

When it comes to scoop size for protein powder, if you lose the scoop, we’ve found it’s ½ cup or about 30g.

1. Peanut Butter Oat Protein Bars

Ingredients (makes 8 bars):

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup natural peanut butter
  • ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 scoop (30g) vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tbsp milk (any kind)

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until sticky and combined.
  2. Press into a lined 8×8 dish.
  3. Chill 1 hour in the fridge, then cut into bars.

Per Bar: 12g protein | 18g carbs | 220 calories

2. Chocolate Chip Protein Blondies

Ingredients (makes 9 squares):

  • 1 can chickpeas (rinsed)
  • 2 tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Blend everything except chocolate chips until smooth.
  2. Stir in chips, pour into a baking dish.
  3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 min. Cool and slice.

Per Square: 10g protein | 20g carbs | 180 calories

3. Cottage Cheese Banana Cake Bars

Ingredients (makes 8 bars):

  • 1 ripe banana
  • ½ cup cottage cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • ½ cup oats
  • 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour into lined loaf pan.
  3. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 min. Cool and slice.

Per Bar: 11g protein | 14g carbs | 160 calories

4. No-Bake Mocha Protein Bars

Ingredients (makes 8 bars):

  • 1 cup oats
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp instant coffee
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • ½ cup nut butter
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp milk

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Press into dish, refrigerate 1 hour, slice.

Per Bar: 12g protein | 17g carbs | 210 calories

5. Almond Coconut Protein Cake Squares

Ingredients (makes 9 squares):

  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup almond flour
  • ¼ cup desiccated coconut
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • ¼ tsp baking powder

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients, pour into baking dish.
  2. Bake at 350°F for 20 min. Cool and cut.

Per Square: 9g protein | 11g carbs | 170 calories

6. Greek Yogurt Berry Protein Bars

Ingredients (makes 8 bars):

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • ½ cup mixed berries
  • ¼ cup oats
  • 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

  1. Mix yogurt, protein powder, oats, and honey.
  2. Fold in berries, spread into a dish.
  3. Freeze for 2 hours, cut into bars.

Per Bar: 13g protein | 12g carbs | 150 calories

7. Pumpkin Protein Cake Squares

Ingredients (makes 9 squares):

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • ¼ cup oat flour
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients, pour into lined pan.
  2. Bake at 350°F for 25 min. Cool and slice.

Per Square: 10g protein | 14g carbs | 160 calories

8. Apple Cinnamon Protein Bars

Ingredients (makes 8 bars):

  • 1 apple, grated
  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Spread in a dish, bake at 350°F for 25 min.

Per Bar: 9g protein | 17g carbs | 170 calories

9. Chocolate Avocado Protein Cake

Ingredients (makes 8 slices):

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour into loaf pan, bake at 350°F for 25 min.

Per Slice: 11g protein | 14g carbs | 180 calories

10. Peanut Butter Chickpea Protein Bars

Ingredients (makes 8 bars):

  • 1 can chickpeas
  • ¼ cup peanut butter
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Blend all until thick and smooth.
  2. Spread into a dish, bake at 350°F for 20 min.

Per Bar: 10g protein | 15g carbs | 190 calories

11. Cinnamon Protein Mug Cake (Single Serve)

Ingredients (1 serving):

  • 1 tbsp oat flour
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp Greek yogurt
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp milk

Instructions:

  1. Mix in mug. Microwave 90 seconds.

Per Cake: 20g protein | 12g carbs | 220 calories

Scroll to Top