Homemade Protein Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipe
Introduction
These homemade protein bars are a quick and customizable snack perfect for fueling your day. Made with simple ingredients like peanut butter and protein powder, they offer a tasty way to boost your energy on the go.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly substitute
- 3/4 cup protein powder (90g)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 oz melted chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, protein powder, maple syrup (or honey), and salt. Stir well until a dough forms.
- Step 2: Shape the dough into bars by hand or press it evenly into a lined 8×8-inch pan.
- Step 3: If using chocolate, spread the melted chocolate over the bars in the pan. For a smoother chocolate coating, you may add 2 teaspoons of oil to the melted chocolate before spreading.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the bars until firm, about 1 hour. Once chilled, cut into individual bars if using the pan method.
- Step 5: Alternatively, dip shaped bars into the melted chocolate and chill until the chocolate is set.
Tips & Variations
- Choose a protein powder flavor you enjoy, as it greatly affects the taste. Unsweetened protein powder works well, but feel free to experiment with different flavors.
- Add mix-ins such as nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to customize texture and flavor.
- Try using almond butter or sunflower seed butter for allergy-friendly alternatives.
- For a keto-friendly version, substitute maple syrup with a low-carb sweetener.
Storage
Store your protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, wrap bars individually and freeze for up to one month. Let thaw briefly before eating. Reheating is not necessary—these bars are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use other nut butters instead of peanut butter?
Yes, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter are great alternatives that work well with this recipe.
How do I make the bars less sticky?
If the mixture feels too sticky, try chilling the dough for 10–15 minutes before shaping. You can also add a little more protein powder or a handful of oats to help firm it up.
PrintHomemade Protein Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipe
Homemade protein bars that are easy to prepare with simple ingredients like peanut butter, protein powder, and maple syrup, optionally coated with melted chocolate for an extra touch of flavor. Perfect for a quick snack or post-workout boost, these bars can be customized with different protein powder flavors to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8–10 bars 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Protein Bar Base
- 1 1/2 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly substitute
- 3/4 cup protein powder (90g)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
Optional Topping
- 4 oz melted chocolate chips
- 2 tsp oil (optional, to smooth chocolate)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, protein powder, maple syrup or honey, and salt until a consistent dough forms.
- Shape the bars: You can either shape the dough into individual bars using your hands or spread it evenly into a lined 8×8 inch pan to create a slab.
- Add chocolate coating (optional): If using melted chocolate, optionally stir in 2 teaspoons of oil for a smoother texture. Then either spread the melted chocolate over the top of the slab in the pan or dip each individual bar into the chocolate.
- Refrigerate: Place the shaped bars or chocolate-coated slab in the refrigerator until the bars are chilled and firm.
- Cut and serve: If you made a slab, cut into bars once set. Serve and enjoy your homemade protein bars.
Notes
- Be sure to use an unsweetened protein powder or one that you enjoy the flavor of, as this affects the final taste.
- You can experiment with different flavors of protein powders to customize your bars.
- Adding oil to the melted chocolate can help create a smoother coating but is optional.
- Store the bars in the refrigerator for best texture and freshness.
- For allergy-friendly options, substitute peanut butter with suitable alternatives like almond or sunflower seed butter.
Keywords: protein bars, homemade protein bars, no-bake protein bars, peanut butter protein bars, quick protein snack
