Nutella Collagen Homemade Protein Bars

Make yummy homemade protein bars with just a few ingredients. Enjoy a rich, indulgent chocolate bar AND boost your protein – no oats or protein powder involved.

Have you ever had something so good that you hid it from the rest of the family so you could eat it all yourself?

And when you did eat it, you were in the bathroom or in the pantry or in the closet or basically OUT OF SIGHT, so no one else could see you eating it and then ask if they could have some too?

Yeah, that’s the caliber of awesomeness of these homemade protein bars.

WHY MAKE PROTEIN BARS

Why would you make protein bars yourself instead of just buying them? I can think of several reasons.

• They’re cheaper than store-bought. You end up paying a lot less for the ingredients than the typical dollar or two per bar when you buy a box from the store.
• Better ingredients. Not only are these cheap protein bars, but you get to choose quality ingredients that you can pronounce.
• Yummy flavor. I’ve tried too many mediocre protein bars from the store – I want protein bars that taste good! Whether you stick with Nutella collagen bars or try a different flavor option, these homemade protein bars turn out creamy and delicious!
• Get the benefits of collagen. Along with protein, collagen strengthens your hair, skin, nails, and more.
• Gluten Free! Made from scratch healthy snacks are good options if you are dealing with allergies or intolerances. Note: These are not vegan protein bars due to the collagen. 

HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS INGREDIENTS

These homemade protein bars taste like a treat while giving you a boost of protein.

• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread. Whether you use name-brand Nutella or a different version of this smooth, creamy spread is up to you. (I didn’t REALLY make these with Nutella. But calling these “store-brand chocolate hazelnut spread collagen protein bars” is a bit of a mouthful, dontcha think?)
• Grass-fed Collagen. This is the brand I recommend and use (save an extra 10% on your purchase with coupon code CRUMBS10). You’ll end up with the equivalent of one scoop of collagen in each protein bar.
• Coconut Oil. Add a bit of healthy fat, plus coconut oil helps the protein bars recipe mix together better.
• Vanilla Extract. Vanilla deepens the flavor of the homemade protein bars. Make your own vanilla extract here.
• Pinch of Salt. Just a pinch of salt brings out the sweetness of the other ingredients, so don’t skip it!
• Maple Syrup. If your chocolate spread is fairly sweet already, you may not need additional sweetener. Start with ½ Tablespoon and taste. You can always add more if you find the protein homemade bars aren’t quite sweet enough.

It should be made known that I don’t ordinarily buy Nutella, and I didn’t buy Nutella for this recipe. So let’s get that out of the way before I ruin my street cred for being a healthy food blogger. Kroger’s organic brand was pretty good, and Aldi has an affordable option as well. Just be sure to double-check the ingredient list for the bad stuff!

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PROTEIN BARS INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1. In a glass bowl, combine the chocolate spread, collagen, coconut oil, vanilla, and just a pinch of salt. Mix very well and taste. The batter should be very smooth.

Step 2. Add ½ Tablespoon of maple syrup and mix well. The batter will become significantly thicker. Taste and add additional maple syrup if desired.

Step 3. Scoop the mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper and free-form it into a square in an even layer. Use a sharp knife to score lines and divide the square into four (or more) pieces.

Step 4. Freeze for at least 30 minutes. If needed place on a pan or small baking sheet to fit it safely in the freezer.

Step 5. Break the bars where the scored lines are. Enjoy as a collagen supplement and store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. One bar has the equivalent of one scoop of grass-fed collagen.

HIGH PROTEIN PROTEIN BARS FLAVOR VARIATIONS

For me, the best protein bars involve chocolate, but you have options when it comes to flavors.

I tried peanut butter (the reliable stand-by) and cashew butter, and both were spot on. You’ll likely have to adjust how much maple syrup you want to add depending on which you choose, but both are solid choices.

And while I haven’t tested them personally, sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds) and almond butter have similar consistencies to peanut butter and cashew butter. I’d say it’s safe to substitute with either nut butter, too.

The only “butter” you CAN’T equally substitute in this recipe is coconut butter. This is what I used to make a vanilla version of these collagen protein bars, and it’s definitely tasty, but it requires a different method to mix.

You could add mini chocolate chips on top too if you want just a hint of chocolate. Or even add toasted almonds or other nuts for a bit of a crunch!

VANILLA COLLAGEN HIGH PROTEIN BARS

If you would rather have vanilla collagen high protein bars, you need to know a couple of tips.

• Follow the protein homemade bars recipe above, except for the chocolate hazelnut spread. Instead, use ½ cup of coconut butter.
• If the coconut butter is solid, heat up a small saucepan of water and then place your coconut butter container in it to heat until it’s soft. Then you will be able to stir and measure.

PROTEIN HOMEMADE BARS FAQS

MORE IDEAS FOR USING COLLAGEN

Add collagen to any of these recipes for a yummy way to get more protein in your day!

• Homemade Peppermint Mocha Latte
• No Bake Brownie Bites
• Sweet Potato Biscuits
• Pumpkin Donuts
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
• Banana Ice Cream
• Overnight Oats
• Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Can you think of any creative ways to take collagen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!