Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars

Summer is finally approaching, if not already here (hello, heat wave!), and we are so ready to shed those layers…and masks, amirite y’all!? 🙌🏻

Regardless of how you plan to spend your summer, some of us are looking for quick ways to get back into healthy habits or easy ways to find the energy we will need in order to fully enjoy every moment of the upcoming long summer days. 🤗 We’ve waited long enough, yes? Let’s do this!

We quite literally cannot wait for the soon to be enjoyed summer pool sessions and afternoon cocktails on the patio. ☀️ But, we all know that the heat gets serious in the summer and can zap your vibe…and as we already discussed…we don’t have time for that. So, an option that keeps our summer vibes in check is necessary.

We love protein bars. They are convenient, taste awesome (if the brand you choose is decent), and packed with ingredients that keep you fueled. But, they can be expensive and full of extra stuff we don’t care for. So, why not make our own? Yes 👏🏻 we 👏🏻 can 👏🏻 y’all! And, so can you. 😉

Say hello to your new favorite Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars. They check all the boxes we look for in a protein bar and quick snack or protein packed meal option. They are super easy to make (no-bake easy), filled with whole grains, naturally sweetened, and packed with serious fiber and protein. These will keep you full and fueled throughout your day. Plus, they taste even better than the store bought option.

So, with that…bring it on, summer! 😎💪🏻

What You Need

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1-1/2 cups oat flour*

1/2 cup protein powder (we used peanut butter flavor 😎, but vanilla works, too!)

1/3 cup raw honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

6-8 Medjool dates (pitted)

*If you don’t have oat flour, you can easily make your own (we always do) by pulsing in a food processor or blender old fashioned oats until it’s a fine powder. Store extra for other baking adventures!

For Topping:

1 cup dark chocolate chips

2 tsp coconut oil

Sea salt flakes (optional)

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Step by Step

1. Line a 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Combine the peanut butter, oat flour, protein powder, vanilla extract and dates in a food processor and pulse for 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, break up and mix around the mixture a bit. Pulse again for 1-2 minutes until fully combined. The mixture should be very thick.

3. Next, add 1/4 cup water and pulse for 1 more minute. The mixture should start to break up and soften into a dough-like consistency. If needed, add another 1/4 cup water until consistency is right.

4. Pour the mixture into your lined baking pan, pressing the dough down with your hands or a rubber spatula until flat and even across the pan.

5. Melt the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave for 1 minute, and stir until smooth.

6. Pour chocolate topping over your dough and smooth out flat.

7. Lastly, top with flaked sea salt (optional).

8. Place the pan in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to set.

9. Remove from freezer and cut into bars or squares, as preferred.

10. Keep bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 7-10 days, or freeze for up to a month.

Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10 bars

Ingredients

  

BARS

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1-1/2 cups oat flour*
• 1/2 cup protein powder we used peanut butter flavor 😎, but vanilla works, too!
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 6-8 Medjool dates pitted

TOPPING

• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• Sea salt flakes optional

Instructions

 

• Line a 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Combine the peanut butter, oat flour, protein powder, vanilla extract and dates in a food processor and pulse for 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula, break up and mix around the mixture a bit. Pulse again for 1-2 minutes until fully combined. The mixture should be very thick.
• Next, add 1/4 cup water and pulse for 1 more minute. The mixture should start to break up and soften into a dough-like consistency. If needed, add another 1/4 cup water until consistency is right.
• Pour the mixture into your lined baking pan, pressing the dough down with your hands or a rubber spatula until flat and even across the pan.
• Melt the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave for 1 minute, and stir until smooth.
• Pour chocolate topping over your dough and smooth out flat.
• Lastly, top with flaked sea salt (optional).
• Place the pan in the freezer for 30-45 minutes to set.
• Remove from freezer and cut into bars or squares, as preferred.
• Keep bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 7-10 days, or freeze for up to a month.

Notes

*If you don’t have oat flour, you can easily make your own (we always do) by pulsing in a food processor or blender old fashioned oats until it’s a fine powder. Store extra for other baking adventures!

Keyword peanut butter, peanut butter protein bar, protein bar, protein snacks, snack bar