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You know how much I love a good snack, and these bars check all the boxes. Protein, healthy fats, fibre, chocolate, peanut butter, and no baking required!
I’ve had this recipe in my brain, taking up real estate for weeks now, and I’m so excited to finally be putting it down on paper and sharing it with all of you. I used my homemade peanut butter recipe for these peanut butter protein bars, and all I can say is wow. Let me tell you, it made all the difference! Making my own nut butters has honestly been one of the best kitchen decisions I have ever made. The quality, the taste, and the satisfaction I get from making something from scratch is next level. Being able to make almost everything myself makes me so proud, and my goal is always to help you feel that same confidence in your own kitchen. So, if chocolate peanut butter is your vibe, these bars are absolutely for you.
They are the perfect summer snack because you do not have to turn on the oven. I generally don’t love raw treats, probably because I had about 100 too many raw vegan snacks while I was in Bali, and it turned me off for a while. But then I remember my protein balls, my cookie dough bark, and now these no bake peanut butter protein bars, and I have to be honest with myself.
I do love raw treats. They just have to be done right!
You all know how I’ve been watching my sugar intake, so this whole recipe only has 1/3 cup of maple syrup, and if you want to cut back on the sugar even more, the dark chocolate peanut butter topping is absolutely optional. I made these without the topping, and honestly, I think I prefer them without it! For the photoshoot and video, I cut these into 9 squares, and you could keep them that way, but honestly, cutting those 9 bars into 18 makes the perfect serving.
It seriously is the best because last year I was deeply in love with my Almond Butter Protein Bars and I was making them all the time, at this point I hadn’t yet made my own homemade peanut butter, and if I’m being honest, peanut butter is a little more nostalgic for me, and I just love it so much! I didn’t think a protein bar could possibly outshine the almond butter one, but well, here we are! This peanut butter protein bar recipe is everything I want in a homemade snack. It is quick, satisfying, easy to customize, and every ingredient carries weight and purpose. The fact that this healthy protein bar is also no bake just makes things that much easier, you know, I love a cool chocolatey snack! Let’s make ’em!
With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a freezer, you can make yourself a healthy, no bake snack that is perfect for every occasion. Here is what you’ll need:
You already know I’m going to say Botanica! It’s the best protein powder hands down for really anything. I especially love it in these no bake protein bars because it isn’t grainy! The protein powder quite literally disappears into the mixture and just leaves you with a subtle flavour that you actually enjoy instead of wanting to disguise.
If you already have protein on hand, use it! Plain protein powder may leave you wanting to add a little more sweetness to your bars, vanilla will warm things up, and chocolate will intensify that chocolate peanut butter flavour profile. Whey protein may also work, though it can create a slightly different texture that sometimes feels chalky.
Making these protein bars is so easy! Start with lining an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang if possible. This makes it much easier to lift the bars out once they are chilled.
Add the oats, peanut butter, protein powder, ground flax, maple syrup, dates, vanilla, milk, and salt to a food processor. Blend until the mixture comes together into a thick dough. You’ll know it is ready when it holds together easily when pressed between your fingers. If it feels too dry, add a tiny splash more milk. If it feels too sticky, add a few more oats.
Transfer the dough into the prepared pan. Use a spatula or your hands to press it firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. Do not be gentle here. A firm press helps the bars hold together once sliced.
Add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 30-second increments, stirring between each round. If you don’t have a microwave, you can double boil to melt the chocolate. Once smooth, stir in the peanut butter until the topping looks glossy and pourable. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the bars. Use an offset spatula to smooth it evenly from edge to edge.
Place the pan in the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate topping is firm. Once the chocolate has set, sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Remove the bars from the pan and use a sharp chef’s knife to cut them into 9 larger bars or 18 smaller pieces.
The best way to store these no bake protein bars is in the fridge. Keeping them in the freezer would also work, but you’ll want to leave the bar out for a few minutes so it softens up some and you don’t hurt a tooth! Keep them in an airtight container for up to one week. If stacking them, place parchment paper between layers so the chocolate topping does not stick. Because they are made with only raw ingredients, they hold together well when chilled. If left out too long, they will soften, especially in warm weather.
There are so many ways to customize these protein bars! You could truly use any nut butter of your preference as long as the texture is smooth and runny. Check out some of these other nut butter recipes to get some inspiration! You can also play with add-ins such as chopped nuts, cacao nibs or hemp seeds for extra nutrition. You can also skip the chocolate topping completely. I made these without the topping, and honestly, I think I might prefer them that way some days. The topping is delicious, but the base is strong enough to stand on its own.
Can I use a different nut butter? Absolutely. Almond butter, cashew butter, or tahini will all work. For best results, use a runny nut butter so the dough blends easily and holds together.
Can I bake these bars? I haven’t tested this recipe in the oven, and quite frankly, I don’t want to! This no bake recipe is so simple and perfect that I wouldn’t even attempt to bake it! Keep it simple 🙂
Are these bars suitable for kids? Yes, these bars can be a great snack for kids, especially if your child enjoys peanut butter and chocolate. Just be mindful of allergies, the type of protein powder you use, and how much added sweetness you prefer.
Are these bars gluten free? If you use certified gluten-free oats, check that your protein powder and chocolate chips are gluten free.
Can I make these without the chocolate topping? Of course, and honestly, I love them without the topping.
How many bars does this recipe make? You can cut this recipe into 9 larger bars or 18 smaller pieces. I love the smaller pieces for a quick snack or a little dessert.
If you made these protein bars, I would love to get your feedback and rating down below! Let me know if you customized them or made them exactly as written.
High Protein Flourless Cookies
Food Photographer and Recipe Developer based in Toronto, Canada.
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*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.
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