Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars (no bake + vegan)

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These Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars are made with simple 8 ingredients! They make a delicious and better-for-you treat. No baking is required, and they last forever in the fridge or freezer.

Chocolate protein peanut butter bars on parchment paper. One bar is bitten into, showing its texture.

These homemade protein bars for muscle gain are the perfect better-for-you treats! They are packed with lots of plant protein, which is perfect before or after your workout. The wholesome ingredients, provide healthy fats, fiber, and protein. In addition, the recipe makes a big batch and keeps well in the fridge for a long time, making them perfect for all busy bees.

If you have a sweet tooth and are a fan of vegan desserts and treats you should also try this homemade Peanut Butter Twix recipe and these vegan Chocolate Protein Bliss Balls. They will satisfy your sweet cravings while providing nutrients and a protein boost.

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

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📋 Ingredients
🍴 Substitutions
🥄 Variations
🍽 Equipment
👩🏽‍🍳 How To Make
💭 Recipe FAQ
🥣 How To Store
More Protein Rich Snacks
📖 Recipe
💬 Reviews

This post is supported by Naked Nutrition. A big thanks to the supporting brands making The simple Sprinkle possible. As always all opinions shared are my own.

📋 Ingredients

To make the best chocolate peanut butter protein bars at home you need the following ingredients:

Oat flour: a gluten-free flour made out of oats. It provides the bars with lots of nutrients including protein and dietary fiber.
Almond flour: this is a gluten-free flour made out of just almonds, and it helps bind the dough together. Almond flour adds protein and healthy fats and gives texture to the bars.
Chocolate Protein Powder: Using a good quality protein powder that tastes good is key. We recommend Naked Nutrition's Chocolate PB Protein Powder, as it is entirely plant-based, is of good quality, and pairs the flavor of the bars perfectly
Smooth Peanut Butter: helps bars to stick together, provides protein and healthy fats, and gives them that delicious peanut butter flavor that pairs so well with chocolate.
Cocoa Powder: To add chocolate flavor. Use unsweetened, good-quality cocoa powder for best results.
Agave Syrup: To skip refined sugar, these protein bars are sweetened with agave syrup. In addition, the agave helps the protein bars to hold together.
Oat milk: Use it to give the batter moisture and creaminess.
Vegan Chocolate Chips: Used as the chocolate layer on top of the bars. This will give your protein bars that treat-like feel! Use sugar-free chocolate, if wished.

Optional

Coconut Oil: Adding coconut oil is optional, as it is used in the chocolate topping. It helps the chocolate to create a runnier consistency, making it easy to spread the chocolate. At the same time, it softens the chocolate layer, so it does not break when cutting the slices. We recommend, using refined coconut oil as it is tasteless.
Sea salt to sprinkle: Adding salt to sweets helps enhance the flavor profile and compliments the dark chocolate well.

See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

🍴 Substitutions

Are you looking for substitutions or quicker alternatives? We got you!

Stacked chocolate protein peanut butter bars.

Oat Flour - If you don't have oat flour, you can make your own by grinding oats in a food processor until they form a fine powder.
Almond Flour - Ground almonds can be used as a substitute for almond flour. You can also use other nut flours such as cashew flour or hazelnut flour if preferred.
Protein Powder - If you are looking to substitute the protein powder, some alternatives to try include: Chickpea Flour, Pea Flour, Lentil Flour, Hemp Seed Powder, Almond Flour, Soy Flour, Quinoa Flour, Sunflower Seed Powder, Pumpkin Seed Powder, or Powdered Peanut Butter.
Peanut Butter - Any smooth nut or seed butter can be used as a substitute. Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini are all excellent alternatives!
Agave Syrup - The agave syrup can be replaced with maple or rice syrup. For a sugar-free option, use a sugar-free syrup or a natural sweetener like stevia.
Oat Milk - Any plant-based milk like pea milk, soy milk, or coconut milk can be used instead!
Vegan Chocolate Chips - If you can't find vegan chocolate chips, simply chop up dark chocolate chips or a bar into small pieces. Check the ingredient labels to ensure they are dairy-free/vegan.

Remember, substitutions will bring their own unique flavors and textures to this chocolate peanut butter protein bars recipe! Enjoy exploring different variations and discovering your favorite twist on this recipe.

🥄 Variations

There are many delicious flavor variations to explore with these chocolate peanut butter protein bars! Here are a few ideas to play around with to zing up the flavor:

Raspberry Swirl: Swirl raspberry jam or freshly mashed raspberries into the batter before refrigerating. The tangy sweetness of raspberries pairs perfectly with the chocolate and peanut butter.
Coconut: Mix shredded coconut and chopped almonds into the batter for added texture. Or, sprinkle toasted coconut shreds onto the chocolate instead of sea salt!
Espresso: Mix in a tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients for a delightful coffee-infused flavor.
Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the melted chocolate for a gooey, decadent caramel flavor.
Chili: This one is for the brave ones! Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the dry ingredients to give the bars a subtle spicy kick that contrasts with the sweetness!

Feel free to mix and match these flavor variations and play with the recipe. Experimenting with different ingredients and flavors is part of the fun! If you end up whipping up a fantastic variation, don't forget to drop a comment at the bottom of the blog post! I'm all ears and absolutely thrilled to hear about your culinary adventures.

🍽 Equipment

To make the perfect peanut butter chocolate protein bars you'll need at least two mixing bowls—one for combining the dry ingredients and another for mixing the wet ingredients.

A 9x13-inch baking pan helps to press the batter into shape and form the bars (approximately 23 x 33cm). Alternatively, you can also use an 8x8-inch! Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.

Additionally, you need a microwave-safe bowl or a saucepan on the stovetop to melt the peanut butter and syrup together, and later on the chocolate for the topping. A spatula or wooden spoon is useful for mixing the wet and dry ingredients together until a thick batter forms.

Accurate measurements are essential for the success of the recipe, so we always recommend using a scale! However, measuring cups and spoons work too.

👩🏽‍🍳 How To Make

Let's chat about how to make the best homemade peanut butter protein bars! Follow our step-by-step guide:

Line a 9x13” pan with parchment paper and set it aside (23 x 33cm). If you want thicker bars, use an 8x8 inch baking tray instead of the 9x13 inch.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, and cocoa powder and mix well. Set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, combine the peanut butter, and agave syrup. Heat gently, and stir until melted together.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well. Then slowly add milk until a thick but shapeable batter forms. Add more milk if needed.

Melted chocolate being drizzled onto no-bake protein bars.

Transfer to a lined baking dish and press firmly into place. In another clean microwave-safe bowl melt chocolate with coconut oil in 30-second increments, stirring in between until smooth. Pour over the dough and drizzle with sea salt.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is hard. This step also helps the bars set and makes them easier to cut into perfect squares or rectangles. Cut into squares or rectangles of the desired size and enjoy!

Expert tips

When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, aim for a dough-like consistency that holds together well. If the batter feels too dry, add a little more plant milk gradually until you achieve the desired texture. You want it to be easily moldable but not too sticky.

Feel free to personalize the recipe with your favorite add-ins. Whether it's dried fruits, toasted coconut flakes, chia seeds, flax meal, or a dash of cinnamon, get creative and make these bars uniquely yours!

Additionally, sprinkle the tops of each protein bar with sea salt, for an extra dose of flavor. The salt helps enhance all the amazing flavors, even the sweetness!

This is a rather obvious tip, but if you have the privilege to purchase fresh, organic, and high-quality products, do so!

💭 Recipe FAQ

Are chocolate protein bars healthy?

Generally, these bars are healthy, as they use better-for-you ingredients. Now, it depends on how much you are eating of them, as they are still a high-calorie food. In the recipe card, you can find estimated nutritional information. So make sure to track what your macros are to ensure healthy eating habits.

Is it OK to eat protein bars as a snack?

Absolutely! They're like the superhero of snacks – quick, convenient, and packed with protein. Just be mindful of the quantity, and you're good to go.

Can you use anything else instead of protein powder?

Oh, sure thing! You can substitute in other powders or even use powdered peanut butter. Some alternatives include Chickpea Flour, Pea Flour, Lentil Flour, Hemp Seed Powder, Almond Flour, Soy Flour, Quinoa Flour, Sunflower Seed Powder, or Pumpkin Seed Powder. Just make sure it's powder and got that protein!

Why use protein powder?

A good quality plant-based protein powder helps you on your fitness journey by promotin muscle gain, muscle recovery, and to make enzymes and hormones. You need protein for a healthy immune system and healthy organ function such as your heart, brain, and skin. The nutrient is linked to help control appetite, weight loss and enhancing muscle growth.

Additionally, by adding protein powder to your meals or baked goods, you immensely improve the protein content by just one quick scoop. This helps you reach your protein goals and daily intake!

Naked Nutrition offers a variety of quality vegan protein powders. Choose from Pea Protein, Rice Protein, Seed or Powdered Peanut Butter and a variety of flavor options. All their vegan proteins are free from artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors, stripping out unnecessary additives. Buy today!

At what age is protein powder suitable for kids?

When it comes to protein powder for kids, we want to play it safe and smart. Generally, most experts recommend introducing protein powder to kids around the age of 12 or older. Before that age, it's better for the little ones to get their protein from whole foods like nuts, seeds, grains, beans, and legumes.

Remember, before giving your child any supplements including protein powder, always consult with a pediatrician or a qualified healthcare professional to ensure that protein supplementation is suitable for your child's individual needs. Safety first, protein pals!

Can I shape the Peanut Butter Protein Bars into balls Instead?

Absolutely! Shape the dough into cute little protein balls, dip them into chocolate, and enjoy!

🥣 How To Store

Fridge: You can store these either at room temperature in an air-tight container for around 5 days. Or keep them stored in an air-tight container in the fridge, where they will keep well for several weeks when stored air-tight and properly.

Freezing: Store in a freezer-safe and air-tight container or bag, where they keep fresh for up to 3 to 6 months. I like to cut the bars before freezing, for easy single-bar access. Thaw in the fridge overnight and enjoy!