Today we’re doing a throwback recipe from 2017. These peanut butter protein bars were SO delicious when I first made them a few years back that I love to re-share them with you to remind you to make them.
I’ll occasionally do this with older recipes because 1) I don’t want you to forget about them and 2) anything with peanut butter is always acceptable, right?!
These bars are seriously one of my favorite healthier treats to make because they’re so freaking easy and do NOT require any baking. They also make an excellent post workout snack or late afternoon pick-me-up as they happen to pack 9g protein.
Personally, I love keeping them in the fridge when I want a healthier dessert that’s similar to my favorite candy in the world.
Peanut butter + chocolate = match made in heaven
Raise your hand if a Reese’s peanut butter cup is your favorite candy; it’s been mine since I was a little girl. I remember finding my Dad’s stash of peanut butter cups in the fridge or freezer and begging him to have one after dinner. It’s funny, I even remember eating the edges of the peanut butter cup and then savoring the peanut butter middle for last.
These days, I make my own homemade healthy peanut butter cups, and still am obsessed with just about anything with a peanut butter and chocolate combo. That’s exactly where these chocolate peanut butter protein bars come in. They provide a healthy dose of protein, yet they taste like dessert. WIN WIN WIN.
Ingredients in these peanut butter protein bars
These chocolate peanut butter protein bars are easy to make because there’s no baking required. All you need is a pot or two, an 8×4 inch loaf pan, parchment paper and 7 simple ingredients:
- Peanut butter: because they’re peanut butter protein bars, of course! Remember to use an all natural peanut butter that’s made with just peanuts and salt. Use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off my favorite brand, Wild Friends!
- Honey: I love using honey because it’s the perfect unrefined sweetener for holding the bars together and naturally sweetening them.
- Coconut oil: you’ll only need a tablespoon of coconut oil to add moisture to the bars.
- Vanilla extract: I’m such a vanilla lover. It adds the perfect flavor! Learn how to make your own vanilla extract here.
- Flaxseed meal: I absolutely LOVE how flaxseed meal adds fiber and protein to these bars.
- Protein powder: feel free to use a plant based or whey protein powder. My personal favorites are Vital Proteins collagen peptides (which is dairy free) or Four Sigmatic plant based protein powder.
- Dark chocolate: you can use your favorite brand of dark chocolate bar. Feel free to use vegan/dairy free chocolate like this one!
- Optional: a little fancy sea salt for sprinkling on top.
Simple ingredient swaps
- Make them vegan: feel free to swap the honey for coconut palm syrup or date syrup.
- For the peanut butter: you can use any nut butter you’d like, just be sure that it’s made only with nuts and salt!
Healthy peanut butter protein bars in 4 steps
-
Mix the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla together until smooth.
-
Add the dry ingredients. Use a spoon to mix in the flaxseed meal and protein powder, then use your hands to mix until everything is well combined.
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Press it and add chocolate. Press the mixture into an 8×4 inch pan lined with parchment paper, then melt your chocolate in a small saucepan until it’s nice and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and tilt the pan so that the chocolate covers the peanut butter layer entirely.
-
Refrigerate, slice & devour. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing into 10 bars or squares (either works but I love squares the most). Then enjoy!
Storing tips
- In the fridge: store these chocolate peanut butter protein bars in the fridge tightly wrapped or in an airtight bag or container for up to 2 weeks. The perfect easy snack to have on hand!
- In the freezer: feel free to keep them in a freezer-safe bag in your freezer for up to 1 month. If you do keep them in your freezer, be sure to leave them out on the counter for a few minutes before serving so that they soften up a bit.
More no bake snacks to try
Get all of my no bake snacks here!
If you make these peanut butter protein bars, be sure to leave a comment below and rate them! And don’t forget to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so we can see your creations!
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
No bake chocolate peanut butter protein bars that taste just like a peanut butter cup. These low carb peanut butter protein bars will be your new favorite snack to keep in your fridge and enjoy all week long!
Ingredients
-
3/4
cup
natural creamy peanut butter (just peanuts + salt) -
1/4
cup
honey (or coconut palm syrup, if vegan) -
1
tablespoon
melted coconut oil -
1
teaspoon
vanilla -
1/3
cup
ground flaxseed meal -
1/2
cup
of your favorite vanilla or plain protein powder* -
2.5
ounces
your favorite 85% dark chocolate bar - Coarse sea salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
-
In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla together until smooth. Add in ground flaxseed meal and protein powder of choice. Use a spoon to mix together until you can’t anymore, then use clean hands to help work together. The batter should be similar to cookie dough.
-
Press into an 8×4 inch pan lined with parchment paper.
-
Make the chocolate layer by adding 2.5 ounces of dark chocolate to a small saucepan and melting until completely smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and tilt the pan so that the chocolate covers the peanut butter layer entirely.
-
Place in the fridge for 30 minutes-1 hour before slicing into 10 bars or squares (either works but I love squares the most). Store covered in the fridge until ready to eat. Bars will keep for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
*Note: if the batter feels too dry, add ½ – 1 tablespoon of melted virgin coconut oil
For the protein powder: you can use plant based or a whey protein. My personal favorite is Vital Proteins collagen peptides (which is dairy free) but I also love aloha vanilla plant based protein powder for this recipe. Those are the two I highly recommend for flavor and consistency in this recipe.
See the full post for easy ways to customize these protein bars!
Nutrition
Servings: 10 bars
Serving size: 1 protein bar
Calories: 210kcal
Fat: 13.8g
Saturated fat: 3.4g
Carbohydrates: 13.4g
Fiber: 2.8g
Sugar: 8g
Protein: 8.6g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on December 4th, 2017, republished on August 19th, 2019, and republished on August 30th, 2022.