Microwave a Protein Bar & You’ll Be Eating a Warm Cake in Seconds!

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Did someone say cake for breakfast? 🙋‍♀️

We recently found out about an awesome little recipe hack that truly takes the cake. Turns out, if you microwave a Built Bar (and I’m thinking this would work on other protein bars too), it turns into a warm, decadent cake in just 30 seconds. Yes, really!

microwaved built bar on white plate

We’ve been all about recipe hacks lately at Hip2Save, like whipping up Nutella and Nesquik to make fabulous drinks and changing up cooking methods for classics like pancakes and grilled cheese. But this clever tip has us bewildered at how simple it is!

Microwaving a Built Bar (or most protein bars for that matter) results in a warm and delicious dessert with a fluffy cake-like texture!

Cool, right?! Not only are Built Bars a healthy snack or breakfast idea, but now you can enjoy them as a dessert, with much less guilt!

Since we had just scored this amazing deal on Built Bars, we knew we had to give it a shot! Plus, the worst that could happen is that we’d be out a Built Bar and 49 cents. 😏

This hack is so easy that Stetson even created a video for ya!


Built Bar in hand

Built Bars are power-packed with protein, low in carbs, and there are often Built Bar coupon codes and deals which make these bars really affordable compared to other protein bars on the market.

woman in kitche with lots of built bars on kitchen counter

Better yet, Built Bars don’t taste like the chalky, bitter protein bars you may have been burned by in the past. Collin and her son actually tried a whopping 18 different Built Bars to put all the flavors to the test so you know the best ones to stock up on!

holding microwaved built bar on plate

To make your experience totally heavenly, choose a Built Bar flavor that you’d normally eat as a cake or go with one of Collin’s top ranked flavors – this is a sure way to know you’ll love the results.

Take off the wrapper, put your Built Bar on a plate, microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, and VOILA!

The results? A warm, delicious, moist, cake-like healthy snack that took little to no work at all!

Here’s the before:

built protein bar in microwave

And here’s the after:

microwaved built protein bar on plate


If you’re celebrating a birthday during quarantine, you can hop on Zoom (or another favorite way to stay in touch) and enjoy some “cake” together with family and friends…all while keeping things healthy. Go ahead and add a candle too because this is definitely something special to be celebrated! 😉


Chocolate protein bar sitting on white plate cut in half

Here’s what our taste testers (Stetson and Collin) said about this microwave Built Bar hack:


“Crazy how you can pop these things into a microwave for 30 seconds and you have a cake right before your eyes. I used Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownie and as soon as it came out of the microwave, you’re hit with that freshly baked brownie smell!” – Stetson

“This really is such a neat recipe hack, and it totally works! I’m guessing this would work well with many other protein bars too, and I swear it makes them taste better. I’ve done this on a few of my fave flavors, and they all turn out so good. The banana nut bread bar tastes exceptionally yummy!” -Collin


Get  10 Built Bars for only $9.98 shipped!


About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Sara’s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.


Join The Discussion

Comments 32

  1. Dana

    I haven’t done this yet , but so cool! So far my absolute favorite out of the freezer is the coconut almond

  2. Lori

    They look so yummy!

  3. ASHLEY

    are built bars made with whey protein?

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      Hi Ashley! You can find the full information on ingredients when you click through the link above, and then click on “Nutrition”. Hope that is helpful!

  4. Cherryluva

    Thank you soooo much for this! Sincerely, someone struggling with their weight

    • Amber (Hip Sidekick)

      You’re very welcome!

  5. S

    Yuck.

    • Barbara

      Agree

  6. Hilary

    This is genius!! I have a box of Larabars and I’m going to try it. Thank you!

  7. Rachel L

    Just tried this w a love good fats bar (you know, for science). It was okay, though no one would mistake it for cake lol.

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      Thanks, Rachel L! We appreciate you testing this for science!

    • kayti

      The Love Good Fats bars have a love or hate relationship with people! Lol! I love them, but I’ve seen so many people hate them! Wondering if it turned out dry and dusty like the inside usually is…..

      • Rachel L

        I liked them, but like the built wayyy more so they have become my bar of choice. Very different textures. Love good fats tastes pretty good, but kinda gritty and dry. I love chewy candy and stuff too so I’m sure that’s part of my preference

  8. Amanda

    I tried it with a Lunabar, I was surprised at how it made the bar taste a bit sweeter, though it is really no replacement for cake of course LOL. I wish that my bar puffed Up the way that that one in the picture did .

  9. Casadine

    Totally trying this.

    • SavingsMama

      Hmm…going to check the ingredients for maltodextrin on these bars. From taking care of those w diabetes, turns out that ingredient spikes sugar levels. Interesting…Last ones were the Atkins brand. With that being said… willing to try this. Sounds like a fun experiment for the kiddos and health(ier) for Mama!

  10. LolaLolita

    Hmmm, where do you find these for 49 cents if you have already ordered from them once? Or are you referring to only first time buyers?

    • Julie

      I was a first time buyer for the box of 10 for $4.95. You could make a new Gmail account and have them shipped to your neighbor or a friend I suppose.

    • Jen

      Just use a different email address to get the Built Bars pack for $5.

  11. traptfairy

    Well the pure protein bars like to burn lol. Just tired to do the salted caramel and cake batter.

  12. Brittany

    I do like 12 seconds and they are really gooey! Sometimes I eat it w/ an apple like a dip, sometimes I eat it with a (low fat) graham cracker and sometimes w/ chopped strawberries or bananas and (lite) cool whip!!!! ***Super delicious! These really are my favorite protein bars if you are on the fence!

  13. MCouzens

    How does a gelatin type consistency turn into a cake like consistency?

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      It’s chewy like a milky way and I’m not sure how it turns into it, but it works. I’ve done it with mine!

  14. Sue

    Ok, I gotta try this. I *want* to love these bars, but eating them at room temp causes them to stick to my (sensitive) teeth and causes incredible pain – so next up is trying them refrigerated, and then this cake trick!

  15. ladonnia white

    Built bars are terrible!!!!!!! You can’t get them chewed enough to swallow. They have a tar like consistency. You keep chewing chewing and chewing. I eat some crazy stuff but I can’t tolerate these bars. I’ve thrown mine away!!! Good thing they were so cheap!!! Would not recommend.

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      I’m sorry you didn’t like them.

    • Chelsea85

      I didn’t care for them much either. Mainly the consistency. Was like a big wad of caramel. It was stuck in my teeth…every bite caked on to my teeth and was hard to swallow. They didn’t taste terrible, they were just ok. Makes me a little upset I hadn’t seen this post before the first sampler box I tried for 7.95 a couple weeks ago. If it changed the consistency as shown, I probably would’ve liked them better.

    • Ross

      I agree. Like chewing on tar. Stuff gets stuck on my teeth. First one I tried was the mint. Absolutely didn’t like it. Didn’t finish it. I liked the cookies and cream bar, though. I paid like $28 for my box on their website.

  16. CJ

    I just tried it w the Built Bar (chocolate raspberry). It was too much time in my microwave. It did puff up like the picture, and the first 2 bites were ok, but as it cooled, it got harder and harder, so that the last few bites were inedible. I might try it again for like 15 seconds and see. If not, I will chalk it up to a failed experiment!

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      Darn! Sorry to hear that! You must have a powerful microwave!

  17. bfunkwa

    I’m having mine now with vanilla ie cream. Mine didn’t puff up/out as nicely as yours and were chewy but still tasty. I took mine straight from the freezer though, next time I’ll let it get to room temperature before I microwave it and see if I get better results. Thanks for the tip!

    • Jennifer (Hip Sidekick)

      You are welcome! I think starting at room temperature will be good.

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