Crunchy Protein Bars
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Published Mar 17, 2023
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These crunchy protein bars combine brown rice cereal and rolled oats with honey, coconut, peanut butter and protein powder for a delicious, healthy snack that tastes just like the Luna Bars! Gluten-free, dairy-free + perfect for meal prep!
One of my favorite store-bought bars is the Chocolate Dipped Coconut Luna Bar. I’ve been wanting to try my hand at making a homemade version but was intimated by the ingredient list because it’s rather long.
After some research I found that Katie from Chocolate Covered Katie had made a homemade version, so using her recipe as inspiration I went to work in the kitchen. The end result was these crunchy protein bars that I’m sharing today, which is my take on the Chocolate Dipped Coconut version.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The combo of chocolate, peanut butter + coconut = chef’s kiss!
- Cheaper than store-bought snack bars!
- Easy to make with only 10 simple ingredients.
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened and can easily be made nut-free.
- They’re no-bake + perfect for meal prep.
- Perfect for an on-the-go snack or post-workout treat.
Making Healthier Luna Bars
While the Luna bars are delicious and the convenience is nice, they’re made with a lot of not-so-good-for-you and unnecessary ingredients like soy flour, rice flour, soy lecithin, sunflower oil, palm oil, vegetable glycerin, soy protein isolate, palm kernel solids and artificial flavors.
To simplify things I made these bars with 10 simple real-food ingredients that you can actually pronounce like honey, rolled oats, peanut butter, shredded coconut and cocoa powder. No added sugars, artificial sweeteners or natural flavorings over here!
Ingredients Needed
- crispy brown rice cereal – what adds the crunch to these bars! This is a gluten-free crispy cereal made from whole grain brown rice. You can find this in the cereal aisle at health food stores. Some brands to look for: 365 by Whole Foods, One Degree and Nature’s Path.
- old fashioned oats – provides the base for these bars and adds a chewy texture. They’re also a good source of fiber! Make sure you grab gluten-free oats if needed. I use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
- shredded coconut – make sure to grab unsweetened shredded coconut. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill unsweetened shredded coconut.
- vanilla protein powder – I used the Sun Warrior Vanilla Warrior Blend for this recipe, which worked great! It’s vegan, soy-free, sugar-free and doesn’t taste chalky at all! Another fave of mine is the Nuzest protein powder.
- cocoa powder – Make sure you’re using unsweetened cocoa powder. Cacao powder works as well.
- honey – the glue that holds these bars together!
- creamy peanut butter – helps to bind everything together. Plus, it’s a good source of protein. You want to use natural, drippy peanut butter not a thick peanut butter spread. I usually go for the store brand and read the label to make sure it has just one or two ingredients, the nuts and salt. Some of my favorite brands are the Wild Friends peanut butter and 365 organic creamy peanut butter.
- coconut oil – acts as a moisturizer, helping to keep the bars from becoming dry and crumbly.
- vanilla extract – a wonderful flavor enhancer.
- dark chocolate chips – I recommend Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips which are allergen-friendly or Lily’s chocolate chips because they are low in sugar and calories.
Crunchy Protein Bars Substitutions
- Brown rice cereal: If you can’t find brown rice cereal you can use regular crispy rice cereal.
- Peanut butter: If you’re allergic to peanuts or simply don’t have any on hand, you can use another type of nut or seed butter instead. Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini are all great options.
- Coconut: Feel free to skip the coconut shreds if you don’t have any on hand. I would just add more rolled oats in place of the coconut.
- Honey: I haven’t tried a substitute for the honey, but I bet maple syrup will work just fine!
- Coconut oil: Feel free to use another neutral oil instead of coconut oil like avocado oil or olive oil.
How to Make
Pulse: Add cereal and oatmeal to a small food processor and pulse a few times until the cereal is chopped up. Don’t process it too much or else you’ll end up with flour.
Stir dry ingredients: Place cereal and oat mixture in a large mixing bowl and add in the coconut, protein powder and cocoa powder. Set aside.
Combine wet ingredients: Add the honey, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla to a small saucepan on medium-low heat. Stir mixture and heat until everything is melted and combined, about 2 minutes. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir very well, making sure to coat everything.
Press and chill: Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the mixture, then press down as firmly as you can with your hands. Really press it down! Place the bars in the freezer to set up for at least an hour before cutting.
Melt chocolate: Once bars are firm, add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until melted. While chocolate is melting, cut set mixture into 12 even bars.
Dip and set: Once chocolate has fully melted, dip the bottom of each bar into the chocolate and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the top of the bars with chocolate and chill in the fridge or freezer until chocolate has set.
How to Store
After these crunchy protein bars have set, cut and store them in an airtight container (like a Stasher bag or glass container) in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to store them after being cut so they’re ready to grab and go! If you do freeze them, just thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature before enjoying them.
More Bar Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Chip Almond Granola Bars
- Apple Granola Bars
- Tahini Fig Bars
- Cranberry Coconut Granola Bars
- Cereal Bars
- Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Fruit and Nut Bars
- Nut Free Granola Bars
- Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Easy Protein Bars
- No Bake High Fiber Bars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Be sure to check out these high-protein snacks as well as my full collection of snack recipes here on EBF!
Crunchy Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups crispy brown rice cereal
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats gluten-free if needed
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla protein powder I used Sunwarrior
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ cup honey
- 1 Tablespoon natural creamy peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil + 1-2 teaspoons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips vegan if needed
Instructions
- Add cereal and oatmeal to a small food processor and pulse a few times until the cereal is chopped up. Don’t process it too much or else you’ll end up with flour!
- Place cereal and oat mixture in a large mixing bowl and add in the coconut, protein and cocoa powder.
- Add the honey, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla to a small saucepan on medium-low heat. Stir mixture and heat until everything is melted and combined, about 2 minutes.
- Pour over the dry ingredients and stir very well, making sure to coat everything.
- Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the mixture, then press down as firmly as you can. Really press it down! Place bars in the freezer to set up for at least an hour before cutting.
- Once bars are firm, add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium sized microwave safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals until melted.
- While chocolate is melting, cut mixture into 12 even bars.
- Once chocolate has fully melted, dip the bottom of each bar into the chocolate and place on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment or wax paper. Drizzle the top of the bars with chocolate and chill in the fridge or freezer until chocolate has set.
Notes
- Inspired by Katie’s Homemade Luna Bars
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Those are my three favorite Luna bar flavors too! This recipe sounds great!
Aww they are gorgeous!
I’d been meaning to try a coconut version ever since I posted my original ones. But now you’ve done the hard work for me ;).
Love the photos!
Thanks lady and thank you for posting the original recipe! 🙂
Oh my gosh I am so glad you posted this! After spending over TWO DOLLARS on a luna bar today (I was in a pinch!) I was thinking that I really needed to make a homemade version!
Also, we have the same three favorite flavors 🙂
Im on the hunt for healthy delicious snacks since switching to the Nourishing Traditions Diet. Cant wait to try these out,
Those look so good! I never buy luna bars since they are pretty processed so I wouldn’t know the taste different, but I could deal with just these 🙂
Oh my gosh, these look sooo decadent! The combination of textures sounds so chewy and perfect!
These look amazing! I’ve always wanted to try making my own homemade energy bars. This recipe will have to be first, followed by Clif Chocolate Brownie ZBars. 🙂
Great to talk to you tonight!
BRILLIANT. ‘Nuff said.
This is by far my favorite of all of the Luna flavors! I can’t wait to make these. Pinning now so I remember!
I can’t have Luna bars because of my nut allergies… so thank you for this recipe! I can’t wait to try it. 😀
Oh my gosh, Brittany, these look AMAZING! I like Luna bars, but I’m usually too cheap to buy them. I also loooove coconut, so I think this flavor would be right up my alley. I totally need to start making my own bars, so I have a healthy snack to take with me when I’m running errands!
I cannot wait to make these! I haven’t had Luna bars in so long but I used to love them. Yum!
I love luna bars, but unfortunately they are so expensive I don’t often buy some. I will now be able to make my own! Thank you so much! They look amazingly GOOD!
I love luna bars they were my staple in college during swim season! My favorite’s are peanut butter honey pretzel, lemon zest, blueberry bliss and the chocolate peppermint stick. MMmm I just love them!
These seriously sound amazing. Thank you for this recipe, can’t wait to try!!! 😀
Oh wow, these sound amazing! I need to hop on this recipe.
I will be making these now. Thank you kindly.
Yum! I share the same favorite Luna bar flavors as you, so I am definitely excited to try this recipe out!
These look lovely, Brittany. I like all of your bar recipes. They are so creative and much lighter on the wallet, too!
These look amazing! On my “after Lent” list for sure!
I’ll definitely have to try this recipe! The chocolate coconut Lunas are my 2nd favorite, next to the Blueberry Bliss.
My absolute favorite is the chocolate dipped coconut bar! 2nd is White Choc Macadamia nut and then the Peppermint stick. LOVE love LOVE!!!!
If you master the chocolate peppermint one can you please post it? That flavor is hands down my favorite one!
Yes, please! Peppermint Stick is my favorite.
Ooh, I’ve never seen the chocolate dipped coconut but I love the peppermint stick ones! Excited to try making them at home now!
I just discovered Luna Bars about a month ago and the chocolate dipped coconut ones are by far my favorite! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
I’ve never had a Luna bar before but I’ve heard so many bloggers rave about them. Glad to see I can make them myself now 🙂
These look amazing. They would definitely have to stay in the freezer or I’d be nibbling on them all day long! 😉
These look just perfect! Love the crunch from puffed brown rice. Thanks for recreating them!!!
I know they may not be Luna bars, but there are to DIE for! Gluten-Free PB Chocolate Chews
This looks fantastic, what could I use in place of coconut oil? Thanks!! I really enjoy your blog!
Holy yum! These look amazing. We don’t have those bars over here but I have tried making them before… they certainly didn’t turn out anywhere near as nice as yours. I ended up rolling the dough into a ball and just stuffing that in my mouth instead.
I am going to bookmark this and try these out next time I’m pottering around in the kitchen. Thanks for the recipe!
My favorite is the Lemon Zest you would make MY day if you would experiment with this bar!!!!!!
Yes! Lemon Zest is my favorite as well.
I would LOVE a chocolate raspberry version!! I tried my own version but didn’t really like it. Would love some help with it.
Thanks!
yum! I’m in the middle of making these. I’m at the point of pressing it into a pan. 8×8″? 9×9″? I’ll try 9×9 and hope for the best. Smells GREAT!
Can’t find mini-Lunas anywhere anymore. Thank you for creating this recipe!
Sorry I didn’t catch this earlier! How did they turn out?
Brittany! Thank you so much for the recipe. I never, ever would have been able to figure this out without you.
I did tweak the recip to make it less sweet—using more nut butter in place of the honey (for stickiness with less sweetness) and coconut nectar (as sweet and carb-y but allegedly lower-glycemic) in place of the brown rice syrup.
I posted my version here: http://bigfootchildhavediabetes.com/2013/03/18/whither-mini-luna/
Mine are not as chewy and truly Luna-y as yours. I think the brown rice syrup is what gives the Luna its signature weird sweetness that you don’t often taste elsewhere.
I was trying to make something a little bit less carb-y for my diabetic child who loves chocolate-dipped coconut Lunas.
Thanks again! You’re amazing! I am looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
I’m with Jessica–Lemon Zest! Would that be white chocolate melted with lemon zest/lemon oil, and the same base but with no cocoa powder and some more lemon zest?
Now that you’ve created the formula…it’s hard to stop experimenting.
These are not vegan. Honey is listed in the ingredients which is an animal product. :/
Thanks for noticing that Nisha. I just updated the description. You could use maple syrup instead and they would still be vegan. 🙂
I didn’t have oats so I just added more brown rice cereal, and I didn’t know where to buy brown rice syrup so I used agave. They didn’t quite taste like the chocolate dipped coconut bar….more like a peanut butter chocolate bar with a hint of coconut. I also felt that they were lighter (a good thing!) than Luna bars and obviously way more healthier with better ingredients (I bought my stuff at a local farmers market!). They were ridiculously delicious and are my go to snack before and after class lectures. They taste even better out of the freezer and I will definitely be making more. Thank you!
Also, I love the chocolate peppermint Luna bar as well!
So glad you like them Mirra!!
My son loves Luna bars, but they are pretty processed and expensive! He loved these and I have to agree….melted in your mouth…now how to stop eating them!
I want to make these for my grandsons for an upcoming ski trip, but they do not like coconut. I like adding hemp seeds to bars, do you think they’d work in this recipe?