These amazing chocolate peanut butter protein bars taste like peanut butter cups! They are packed with protein and are naturally gluten-free and vegan. Enjoy them as a quick snack or for dessert!
Since learning how to make protein bars at home, there is no going back to the store-bought ones! Like my oatmeal protein bars, they taste way better and are much cheaper than the ones you get from the groceries.
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💚Why you will love this recipe
- A good source of protein - a serving contains a whopping 14g of protein!
- Chewy, sweet, and incredibly decadent
- An easy no-bake recipe that only calls for simple ingredients
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free
🥜What you will need
📃Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Oat flour - If you do not have any on hand, make your own by blending some oats in a high-speed blender or food processor. If you are sensitive to gluten, opt for certified gluten-free oat flour.
- Protein powder - I highly recommend using unsweetened and unflavored plant-based protein powder like pea, soy, or rice. Casein or whey-based protein powder will NOT work in this recipe.
- Maple syrup - Can be substituted with other liquid sweeteners like agave syrup or honey. You can also use sugar-free syrup, like this Lakanto Sugar-free Syrup, to keep this recipe sugar-free.
- Peanut butter - You can use other kinds of nut butter in place. However, you must choose natural nut butter that only contains nuts and salt.
- Chocolate chips - To keep this recipe vegan and dairy-free, choose vegan chocolate chips like this Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels. You can also use your favorite chocolate bar in place.
- Coconut oil - Helps chocolate to melt more smoothly. You can substitute it with vegetable oil or canola oil.
🔪How to make
Start by lining a 9x9 baking pan or other similar-sized pans with parchment paper.
Whisk together peanut butter, maple syrup, plant milk, and vanilla extract. Then, add the rest of the ingredients for the dough layer and mix until a dough forms. (You might need to use your hands as the dough is quite dry)
Gently press the dough into the lined pan.
Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave in 30-seconds intervals until the chocolate is completely melted.
Pour melted chocolate over the dough layer. Spread the chocolate into an even layer using the back of a spoon.
Let chocolate peanut butter protein bars firm up in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
✔️Helpful tips
- If the dough of your protein bars appears dry and crumbly, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time.
- Allow your parchment paper to overhang (as shown in the process pictures above) for easy removal.
- Allow your protein bars to firm up in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before slicing. If not, you might ruin them and end up with a sticky mess!
- To cleanly slice your protein bars:
- Run a sharp knife under hot water.
- Wipe it dry.
- Use it to slice the bars immediately, wiping the knife clean with a kitchen towel between each cut.
❄️Storing suggestions
Fridge - These chocolate peanut butter protein bars will last in the refrigerator for a week. Store them in an airtight container before keeping them.
Freezer - Protein bars can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or storage container. I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together.
When ready to enjoy, let them thaw for a few minutes at room temperature to allow them to soften.
🍽️More high-protein vegan snacks
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey/agave syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2-3 tablespoons almond milk or milk/other plant-based milks
- 1 cup oat flour use gluten-free if needed
- ¾ cup unflavored protein powder (plant-based preferred)*
- pinch of salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil or another neutral-tasting oil
Instructions
- Start by lining a 9x9 baking pan or other similar-sized pans with parchment paper.
- Whisk together peanut butter, maple syrup, plant milk, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl.1 cup natural peanut butter, ½ cup maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2-3 tablespoons almond milk
- Then, add the rest of the ingredients for the dough layer and mix until a dough forms. (You might need to use your hands in the end as the dough is quite dry)1 cup oat flour, pinch of salt, ¾ cup unflavored protein powder
- Gently press the dough into the lined pan.
- Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave in 30-seconds intervals until the chocolate is completely melted.½ cup chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Pour melted chocolate over the dough layer. Spread the chocolate into an even layer using the back of a spoon.
- Let chocolate peanut butter protein bars firm up in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- If the dough of your protein bars appears dry and crumbly, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time.
- Allow your protein bars to firm up in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before slicing. If not, you might ruin them and end up with a sticky mess!
- To cleanly slice your protein bars:
- Run a sharp knife under hot water.
- Wipe it dry.
- Use it to slice the bars immediately, wiping the knife clean with a kitchen towel between each cut.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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