Is it a snack or is it a treat? It doesn’t matter with these low carb protein bars! My delicious keto protein bars recipe is both. Not only is it incredibly healthy (wait until you see the ingredients it’s made of!), but it takes just 15 minutes of prep time to make to make these high protein low carb bars. Store a stash of these keto friendly protein bars for post-workout bite or that 3pm snack session. If you were used to grab-and-go snacks pre-keto, you need these in your life. (Check out my other keto tips for beginners for more ways to make it easier to stick to this lifestyle.) Are you wondering what the best keto protein bars taste like? They taste a lot like a Nutella-infused truffle or brownie. My husband thought they were brownie bars! So yummy.
How To Make Keto Protein Bars
I’m going to show you how to make the best keto protein bar recipe! They take just 15 minutes to make and are better than anything you’ll find in the store.
Mix together the dough for keto approved bars. In a food processor, pulse blanched hazelnuts until they reach a fine meal-like consistency. Add in almond flour, cocoa powder, protein powder, Besti powdered sweetener, and sea salt. Pulse a few times to combine.
TIP: Blanched hazelnuts ensure a smooth texture in your bars. If yours have skins, roast them in the oven for a few minutes at 350 degrees until toasty, then rub between 2 sides of a kitchen towel to remove the skins before using in this protein bar recipe.
Add wet ingredients. Add almond butter and melted cocoa butter to food processor and process continuously until a dough forms and starts to pull away from the center. When you are processing the bar dough, scrape down the sides frequently so that all of the ingredients are getting incorporated.
TIP: The dough should be firm and shiny, and feel firm to the touch.
Form bars. Press the protein bar dough tightly into the lined pan.
TIP: Secure the edges of the parchment paper to the pan with clips. This helps the parchment paper from sliding around.
Chill bars. Place the high protein low carb protein bars into the fridge until very firm. Cut and store bars. Lift the bars out of the pan and slice.
TIP: Don’t use a see-saw motion when cutting the bars, or they will crumble. Use a straight down or rocking motion instead.
Ingredients In Keto Friendly Protein Bars
This low carb protein bar recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients like:
Hazelnuts – The base of these keto diet protein bars. Almond Flour – Adds vitamins, protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Cocoa Powder – The best low carb protein bars always contain chocolate, don’t you think? Collagen Protein Powder – Adds a protein boost without any gritty taste like some of the high protein low carb bars out there. It’s also great for drinks, like this keto berry protein smoothie. Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – My sweetener of choice. No after-taste, no bitter flavor, and silky smooth. Sea Salt – Brings out the sweetness. Almond Butter – Adds plenty of nutrition, but also helps hold the bars together. Cocoa Butter – An important ingredient for holding the bars together and also keeping them firm. Sugar-free Chocolate Chips – Optional, but the drizzle is well worth it!
Are Protein Bars Allowed On A Keto Diet?
Many traditional protein bars have sugar added and are simply a candy bar with protein added, OR they taste like sawdust. There are some that are keto, but they are often expensive. This is why I created my own chocolate keto protein bar recipe, so it can still taste like chocolate without the added sugar. This one is 100% keto approved, with just 2g net carbs in each bar.
Are Low Carb Protein Bars Healthy?
Keto friendly protein bars are not all created equal! I happen to think this is the best keto diet approved protein bar, because not only does it fit as a balanced snack, but it’s also made with real, wholesome ingredients. (See above for the list!) And it doesn’t hurt that it tastes like Nutella, either. 😉
How To Store Keto Protein Bars
Store this keto friendly protein bars recipe in the fridge. They soften too much at room temperature. If you want to take them on the go, here are some tips:
Wrap the bars in parchment paper so that you can hold that while you eat them to avoid getting chocolate all over your hands. A small box for on-the-go storage is better than a bag, as they may get crushed easily. Another option to bring them on the go is to pack them with a small ice pack to keep them cool and firm.
Can You Freeze High Protein Low Carb Bars?
Yes, you can freeze these high protein low carb bars. Let them thaw slightly before eating, so that they aren’t too hard. If your low carb low sugar protein bars end up too runny to stay together after chilling, you can freeze them as a backup plan. This shouldn’t happen, but can be a side effect of almond butter being too runny.
More Low Carb Protein Recipes
I’ve got plenty of recipes for protein bars for keto and low carb diets. Some of them are in slightly different form, but I doubt that will be a problem! 😉
Low Carb Peanut Butter Protein Balls – Just 4 ingredients to make these perfectly snack-able protein balls. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Cookies – Yes, cookies can be a healthy treat – and pack a protein boost! Treat or healthy snack? I say both! Keto Protein Cookie Dough Balls – Oh yes, the cookie dough obsession continues with these keto dough balls. Double Chocolate Protein Muffins – Double chocolate is always a good idea. I love having a stash of these in the freezer. Vanilla Protein Waffles – Start your day off with a boost of protein in these delicious waffles. Chocolate Protein Pancakes – Chocolate for breakfast? When it’s this nutritious, yes! Protein Donuts – You won’t even taste the protein powder in these. So sweet, cakey, and a little chewy!
Food Processor – You definitely need a food processor to make these keto friendly protein bars. This is the one I use and love. 8×8 Inch Pan – Glass is best for keto protein bars in case you miss any spots with the parchment, and it cleans up easily.
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