This Perfect Bar Recipe tastes exactly like the store-bought version. It’s gluten-free, healthy, and totally delicious!
Who isn’t in search of the perfect snack bar? The appeal of reaching for a single item that will set you up with feel-good protein and nutrition is huge. And finding one with a short list of ingredients you can pronounce is even better. Plus, a bar that actually tastes great? Amazing! The majority of store-bought bars on the shelves fall down on one or more of these points—often while being exorbitantly expensive as well.
Enter this copycat recipe that takes inspiration from the Perfect Bar, a nutritional bar that bills itself as the original refrigerated protein bar. But we transformed it into something we think is even better. Our no-bake bars call for just five simple ingredients so you know exactly what’s in every bite. And you can make them in minutes, no special equipment required. If you love peanut butter, these are a must— we’d pretty much describe them as unadulterated magic!
Is This Perfect Bar Recipe Healthy?
If you’re looking for a bar that’s packed with protein and carbohydrates and made with simple ingredients, then this is the bar for you. It also has a fair amount of healthy fats and is naturally gluten-free. It does have quite a lot of sugar in the form of honey, and the bars have a significant amount of calories. If this is a concern, you should eat them in moderation; you can even cut the bars in half and still have a pretty hefty snack portion that clocks in with half the calories and sugar. Want a dairy-free bar? Use only a quarter-cup plus two teaspoons honey and sub the dry milk powder for sifted (very important) powdered coconut milk.
What Exactly Is Natural Peanut Butter?
Think you know peanut butter? This pantry staple might have a lot more varieties than you imagine, and some have added ingredients you may not want. The type we recommend for this recipe is what’s usually labeled “natural peanut butter.” This product is typically prepared only with ground peanuts, sometimes with a little salt added to enhance the flavor. It doesn’t contain stabilizers, usually in the form of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil, an ingredient that prevents the natural oil in the peanuts from separating. This means that unless it’s freshly ground you’ll need to stir the oil back into the peanut butter before measuring it out. This type of peanut butter also contains no sugar, an ingredient in many commercial brands. And remember that natural peanut butter isn’t necessarily organic. If that’s important to you seek out a brand labeled as such.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Keep the bars in an airtight container so they don’t dry out. You can refrigerate them for up to 1 week. Or you can freeze them for up to 3 months by wrapping them individually in plastic. Avoid stacking the bars regardless of where you store them.
Serving Suggestions
If DIY protein snacks are your thing, then FFF is your playground; we’ve got dozens! Try no-bake almond butter Homemade Paleo Protein Bars or beautiful Superfood Protein Berry Cashew Cream No-Bake Bars. Mini Protein Cupcakes With Funfetti Icing are adorable, as are Blueberry High-Protein Muffins with Quinoa. And you can’t beat a Strawberry Protein Shake for any-time convenience!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups natural peanut butter creamy variety
- 1/4 cup + 4 teaspoons honey
- 3/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1/2 cup unflavored powdered egg whites
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Line the bottom and sides of a loaf pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the peanut butter and honey until they thicken up.
- Add the milk powder, powdered egg whites, and coconut oil and beat until they begin to mix in. Then, use your hands until all the ingredients are well mixed in and the dough is smooth. It will be thick, a little bit sticky, and soft.
- Press evenly into the prepared pan and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until firm.
- Slice into 6 bars and DEVOUR!
Tips & Notes:
I have also tried this by omitting all the milk powder and using all egg protein, if you want to make it suitable for a paleo diet, and it works great. It is slightly less sweet, but still very tasty!
Swap in almond butter for paleo.
Use refined coconut oil if you don’t want a coconut taste.
Depending on the temperature of your fridge, your bars may firm up more or less – you can always place them in the freezer if your fridge isn’t cold enough.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Hello! I’ll be making these as soon as I get the ingredients? I am looking for the powdered egg whites. I see some listed as powdered egg whites/protein and others without that description. Which should I use and what brand do you use? Thanks so much. I share the same affection for these bars! Spendy habit.
Hello! I recommend NOW Sports Nutrition Egg White Protein Powder:
https://www.amazon.com/NOW-Nutrition-Protein-Unflavored-1-2-Pound/dp/B0013OXDBU/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=now+foods+unflavored+eggwhite+protein+powder&linkCode=sl2&linkId=4e39dda80d6ad1e2f763ec19ad3acd75&qid=1644189179&sr=8-5
Hey there! Thanks so much. After I sent you the message I realized you had provided all the product listings below. Thank you for replying to me! I will be making them soon. I hope you have a great day!
You’re welcome! Glad to hear you’ll be making them again. You have a great day too! 🙂
Can you substitute anything for the protein powder to make this kid friendly?
Hi Sarah! This recipe has only been tested as written, so I can’t tell you. Sorry.
These are amazing!!
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve made them.
I just add a few tablespoons of a green superfood blend!
Have you tried to recreate any of the other flavor bars they make?
Glad you like them! Have only tried those but I like customizing them as well. I sometimes add nuts or CHOCOLATE chips.
These were really amazing completely spot on the real thing!
Awesome!
Locally I have been able to find only whole egg powder. Any thoughts on how these bars may differ if made with that instead of just egg white powder? Thanks!!
Hi Ashley, I can’t say because this recipe was only tested as written. Sorry. If you can order it I like using this product: https://amzn.to/3Du4fhM
If omitting the milk powder do I increase the egg white powder?
Hi Joy! If you decide to omit the milk powder from the recipe and still want to maintain a similar texture, you can consider increasing the unflavored powdered egg whites. However, it’s important to note that the taste and texture might not be identical to the original recipe as milk powder and egg white powder have different properties.
You can try replacing the 3/4 cup of non-fat dry milk powder with an additional 1/2 cup of unflavored powdered egg whites. This may not result in a 1:1 substitution as the milk powder gives the bars a creamy texture and contributes to the taste, while the egg white powder mainly acts as a binder and offers protein.
Here’s the modified ingredient list for your reference:
* 1 1/4 cups Natural Peanut Butter, creamy variety
* 1/4 cup Honey, plus 4 teaspoons
* 1 cup Unflavored Powdered Egg Whites (previously 1/2 cup)
* 3 tablespoons Coconut Oil, melted
Keep the directions the same as before. Do a texture and taste check after mixing everything together. If the dough is too dry, you may need to adjust by adding more honey or coconut oil. After a few adjustments, you’ll have a tasty and nutritious treat! Enjoy!
I’ve made these with the egg powder and they tasted exactly like the Perfect bars from the store! This time I didn’t have it so I used chocolate protein powder and it worked great! These are amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your LOVELY comment Anna!
I have a problem, and it’s these bars. If I make them, I eat them. All of them. In two days 🙈 It’s happened three times.
I used plant-based protein powder instead of powdered egg whites and omitted the coconut oil because I don’t like coconut oil 😅
Pure peanut butter protein bliss 😇
Thanks so much for the recipe!!
My pleasure 🙂
I LOVE Perfect Bars! As a personal trainer, I recommend them to all my clients. However, peanut butter is a no-no for some. Could you sub any nut butter in place of the peanut butter?
You can use almond butter instead of peanut butter, it works great and it is a bit healthier actually!
I didn’t have egg white powder so I subbed in vanilla protein powder. I also added some mini chocolate chips to the top. These taste amazing!!
This is the second recipe I’ve tried for these bars and I am going to stick with this one.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for reading.