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. Packed with lots of plant protein, perfect before or after your workouts.
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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.
💡 The recipe in a nutshell:
- Vegan (dairy free & no eggs)
- Easy to make
- No bake recipe
- Whipped up in minutes
- Healthy, protein rich snack
- Freezer friendly
- Perfect for meal prep
- Great for most diets, including gluten free
📋 Ingredients
- Oat flour: a gluten-free flour made out of oats and it provides the bars with lots of nutrients including protein and dietary fiber.
- Almond flour: 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.
- 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 instead. You can substitute it with another liquid sweetener such as maple or rice syrup. In addition, the agave helps the protein bars to hold together.
- Oat milk: Use it to give the batter moisture and creaminess.
- Dark 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.
- Coconut Oil (optional): Adding coconut oil is optional, used in the chocolate topping. It helps the chocolate to create a runnier consistency. Moreover, it makes it easy to spread the chocolate. Additionally, it will soften the chocolate layer, so it does not break when cutting the slices.
- Sea salt to sprinkle (optional): Adding salt to sweets helps enhance the flavor profile and compliments the dark chocolate well.
💪 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.
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!
👩🏽🍳 Tips to make the best chocolate pb protein bars
To ensure these are the best chocolate protein bars ever, we have some tips for you:
- 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!
- To make thicker bars, I recommend using a smaller pan such as an 8 by 8-inch, or loaf pan instead of a rectangular 9 by 13-inch pan.
- Use quality ingredients. This is a rather obvious tip, but if you have the privilege to purchase fresh, organic, and high-quality products, do so!
💭 Common questions
- My batter is too thick, what can I do? If the batter for the protein bars is too thick and/or crumbly, add some water or plant milk to it, to thin it out. Moreover if you want the batter to be thick, and doughy.
Can I skip or swap the peanut butter? If you have a peanut or nut allergy, swap the peanut butter with a different nut or seed butter (such as tahini). Do not skip this ingredient, as it is an essential for the bars to stick together. Keep in mind that it will alter the flavor. - What protein powder should I use? Using a good quality protein powder that tastes good is key. The protein powder flavor can be evident, so make sure you enjoy the flavor. We recommend Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Powder, as has great quality and pairs the flavor of the bars perfectly.
- Can I skip the protein powder? Skipping the protein powder is possible. However, skipping it may result in a different texture of the bars. Adding protein powder gives these protein bars the extra boost, helping you reach your goals and to fill full quicker!
🥣 How to store
- To store: You can store these either at room temperature for softer chocolate peanut butter protein bars in an air-tight container for around 5 days. Or keep them stored in the fridge, where they will keep well for several weeks when stored air-tight and properly.
- To freeze: Store in a freezer safe and air-tight container or bag, where they keep fresh for up to 3 to 6 months.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Protein Bars
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking tray (or 8x8 for thicker bars)
- Mixing Bowl
- micowafe-safe bowl
- Spatula
- parchment paper
- knife
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups oat flour (300g)
- 1 cup almond flour (110g)
- ½ cup Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Powder (55g)
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter, or any other nut/seed butter of choice (125g)
- ½ cup maple syrup (150g)
- ¼ cup oat milk
- ¾ cup vegan chocolate chips, semi-sweet, or dark
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- Sea salt to sprinkle (optional)
Instructions
- Line a 9x13” pan with parchment and set aside.
- 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 maple 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.
- Transfer to a lined baking dish and press firmly into place. In a microwave-safe bowl melt chocolate with coconut oil in 30-second increments, stirring in between until the chocolate is melted. Pour over the dough and drizzle with sea salt.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is hardened. Cut into squared or rectangles of the desired size and enjoy!
PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures.
So glad to have a new go-to dessert packed with protein - thanks for sharing!
These protein bars turned out so amazing! Perfect for a sweet and filling treat!
Ooh these chocolate peanut butter bars are right up my street. I shall be making them again and again. Both sustaining and delicious.
Thanks for the recipe. The protein bars were delicious and easy to make. Now I usually make them once a week to keep them as my after-workout snack.
Very good bar recipe. They turned out perfectly - thank you!
these chocolate peanut butter protein bars are fantastic and super filling!