Description
These No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack perfect for on-the-go energy. Combining creamy peanut butter, sweet honey, oats, and protein powder, then topped with rich dark and semi-sweet chocolate chips, these bars offer a perfect balance of flavors and macronutrients. Easy to prepare without baking, they are ideal for a quick protein boost or a healthy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1¼ cups creamy no-stir peanut butter
- â…“ cup honey
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
Chocolate Toppings
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Flaked sea salt (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy no-stir peanut butter and honey. Stir together until smooth and fully blended, ensuring the honey is evenly distributed throughout the peanut butter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the rolled oats and vanilla protein powder until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed together creating a thick, firm mixture that holds together when pressed.
- Form the Bars: Line a square baking dish or pan with parchment paper. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the pan and press firmly and evenly into an approximately 8×8 inch square, creating a uniform thickness to allow the bars to hold their shape once set.
- Melt Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl or double boiler, gently melt the dark chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips together until smooth, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Top the Bars: Pour the melted chocolate over the pressed peanut butter mixture, evenly spreading it out with a spatula to cover the entire surface. Optional: Sprinkle flaked sea salt on top to enhance flavor and texture.
- Chill to Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until the bars are firm and the chocolate has completely set.
- Cut and Serve: Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut into 16 equal-sized bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan version, though the texture may be slightly softer.
- Use a high-quality protein powder (whey or plant-based) for best taste and texture.
- If you prefer nut-free, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Store the bars in the refrigerator to keep them firm and fresh longer.
- Flaked sea salt is optional but recommended to balance sweetness.
