Perfect Bar Recipe (Homemade Copycat Bars)

This homemade copycat perfect bar recipe taste just like the grocery store version! You only need 6 ingredients and no baking is necessary for the vegan friendly, dairy-free and gluten-free homemade version.

If you’re like me and love the perfect bar recipe, but don’t want to spend tons of money on them, then you’ve come to the right place! I love making recipes that are easy, accessible, and delicious!

My Protein Energy Bars and my Gluten Free Protein Cookies are both great options for delicious and nutritious snacks! 

Even if you haven’t tried a perfect bar before, I can guarantee these homemade peanut butter protein bars will be your new favourite treat! They require very minimal pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand and are so easy to make!

You just toss everything into one bowl and mix, press the dough into a bread loaf pan and refrigerate until they are set! And just like that, you have a DIY perfect bar!

These are the best easy protein bars! You can make them high protein by adjusting your whey or plant-based protein powders and make them the perfect pre workout snack or mid day pick me up at work!

This recipe is very adaptable according to your taste preferences! Although chocolate peanut butter is my favourite, you may even like birthday cake, adding dark chocolate with almond butter or pumpkin perfect bars!

This is not like homemade quest bars, these are way better! Not to mention these contain simple ingredients that also double as whole foods.

Making a bar homemade can sometimes be tricky, because you want it to taste as close as you can to the real thing! Let me tell you, these taste so close to the original perfect bars that it may scare you.

Let me tell you, these home made bars are the REAL DEAL! I can guarantee that after the first time you make them, you will have them on rotation for a very long time.

​WHAT IS A PERFECT BAR?

A Perfect Bar is a type of refrigerated protein bar made with whole food ingredients. It’s known for its chewy texture and variety of flavors.

INGREDIENTS FOR THE COPYCAT HOMEMADE PERFECT BARS

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make the peanut butter perfect bar (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card below):

• certified gluten free oats – if you are not gluten intolerant or celiac you can use regular quick oats as well. You could also try substituting almond flour for some of the oats to reduce the total carbs in this recipe.
• vanilla protein powder – I love using PEScience Gourmet Vanilla or their vegan protein powder in these bars, use code BAILEY at checkout to save money on their products! The type of protein powder you use in this recipe will affect the flavour a lot, so make sure you’re using a good one!
• salt – a little bit of sea salt on the top of the bars is also delicious
• peanut butter – adds healthy fats and keeps the bar binded together. Can use cashew butter or other nut butter if prefered.
• organic honey – or maple syrup if you want a vegan perfect bar
• vanilla extract – only need a tsp vanilla extract
• almond milk – or any other plant based milk. You could also use regular milk here. 
• mini chocolate chips – my favourite brand is Enjoy Life Foods chocolate chips, they are allergen friendly and taste so good in there copycat perfect bars. 
• optional add ins – collagen peptides, a dark chocolate chip coating, coconut oil, or candy canes for a holiday version.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE PERFECT BAR RECIPE

1. In a small bowl, mix together the oat flour, protein powder and salt. Set aside.
2. In a medium size bowl, mix together the melted peanut butter, honey, vanilla and almond milk.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Then once the batter is no longer warm, add in chocolate chips. If you add the chocolate chips while the batter is hot it may melt the chocolate chips.
4. Add to a bread pan and press mixture down firmly. Add extra chocolate chips to top of the bars if desired. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Slice into 6 or 8 pieces. Store in refrigerator! Enjoy, this is truly the best protein bar recipe!

ARE PERFECT BARS HEALTHY?

Store bought perfect bars have healthy ingredients like nut butters, and are free of processed oils and sugars. However they do still contain a decent amount of sugar in each bar.

I created these homemade perfect bars as they are lower in sugar and easier on the wallet. They are the perfect protein-packed snack that you can meal prep ahead of time for the week when you’re craving a sweet treat.

Peanut butter was the drippy nut butter of choice in this homemade perfect bar, however you could easily substitute almond butter for an almond butter protein bar recipe. Many schools don’t allow peanut butter so if you are sending your kids off with these it may be a smarter choice to go with almond butter. 

WHAT ARE THEY KEY INGREDIENTS?

Common wholesome ingredients include nut butter (like almond or peanut butter), honey or other natural sweeteners, protein powder, oats, and various mix-ins like dried fruits, nuts, and seeds.

HOW DO I ACHIEVE THE PERFECT TEXTURE?

The texture of Perfect Bars is achieved by using a combination of sticky ingredients like nut butter and honey. Refrigerating the bars helps them set and become chewy.

CAN I FREEZE THEM?

Yes, you can freeze homemade bars for longer storage. Wrap them individually and place in an airtight container before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator before enjoying.

ARE THEY SUITABLE FOR MEAL PREP?

Homemade bars are excellent for meal prepping. You can make a batch ahead of time and have convenient snacks or breakfast options ready throughout the week.

ARE HOMEMADE PERFECT BARS COST EFFECTIVE?

Making homemade bars can be cost-effective, especially if you buy ingredients in bulk. It allows you to make a larger batch for a fraction of the cost of store-bought bars.

Remember that experimenting with different ingredient ratios and mix-ins might be necessary to achieve your desired taste and texture. Enjoy the creative process of making your own delicious and nutritious bars!

WHERE TO STORE HOMEMADE PROTEIN BARS

You can store the homemade high protein bars many different ways! The refrigerator being the first place. Just like the classic perfect bars, these will stay fresh for up to a week in the refrigerator!

Room temperature is also a great way to store your perfect recipe! If you want to leave them out on the counter in an airtight container you absolutely can! In my opinion, these are better when they are colder, but that’s my personal preference!

Which brings me to my favourite way to store a homemade perfect bar, in the freezer. These will stay fresh for up to 4 months in the freezer, and the texture when frozen is AMAZING!

They become more chewy, and a little harder, so if you like your homemade bars this way I highly recommend freezing some!

Other Gluten Free Sweets You May Want To Try

• Gluten Free Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies
• 4 Ingredient Vegan Rice Krispie Treats
• Banana Mug Cake
• Gluten Free Superfood Protein Cookies
• Vegan Rocky Road Brownies

IF YOU LOVED THIS PEANUT BUTTER BAR PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND A STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails