Today we’re doing a throwback recipe from 2017. These peanut butter protein bars were SO delicious when I first made them years ago that I love to re-share them with you to remind you to make them.
These bars are seriously one of my favorite healthier treats to make because they’re so freaking easy and do NOT require any baking. They also make an excellent post-workout snack or late afternoon pick-me-up as they happen to pack 9g of protein.
Personally, I love keeping them in the fridge when I want a nutrient-dense dessert that’s similar to my favorite candy in the world.
Peanut butter + chocolate = match made in heaven
Raise your hand if Reese’s peanut butter cups are your favorite candy; it’s been mine since I was a little girl. I remember finding my Dad’s stash of peanut butter cups in the fridge or freezer and begging him to have one after dinner. It’s funny, I even remember eating the edges of the peanut butter cup and then savoring the peanut butter middle for last.
These days, I make my own homemade healthy peanut butter cups, and still am obsessed with just about anything with a peanut butter and chocolate combo. That’s exactly where these chocolate peanut butter protein bars come in. They provide a healthy dose of protein, yet they taste like dessert. WIN WIN WIN.
Ingredients in these peanut butter protein bars
These chocolate peanut butter protein bars are easy to make because there’s no baking required. All you need is a pot or two, an 8×4 inch loaf pan, parchment paper and 7 simple ingredients:
- Peanut butter: because they’re peanut butter protein bars, of course! Remember to use an all natural peanut butter that’s made with just peanuts and salt.
- Honey: I love using honey because it’s the perfect unrefined sweetener for holding the bars together and naturally sweetening them.
- Coconut oil: you’ll only need a tablespoon of coconut oil to add moisture to the bars.
- Vanilla extract: I’m such a vanilla lover. It adds the perfect flavor! Learn how to make your own vanilla extract here.
- Flaxseed meal: I absolutely LOVE how flaxseed meal adds fiber and protein to these bars.
- Protein powder: feel free to use a plant based or whey protein powder. My personal favorites are Vital Proteins collagen peptides (which is dairy free) or Four Sigmatic plant based protein powder.
- Dark chocolate: you can use your favorite brand of dark chocolate bar. Feel free to use vegan/dairy free chocolate like this one!
- Optional: a little fancy sea salt for sprinkling on top.
Simple ingredient swaps
- Make them vegan: feel free to swap the honey for coconut palm syrup or date syrup.
- For the peanut butter: you can use any nut butter you’d like, just be sure that it’s made only with nuts and salt!
Healthy peanut butter protein bars in 4 steps
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Mix the wet ingredients. In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla together until smooth.
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Add the dry ingredients. Use a spoon to mix in the flaxseed meal and protein powder, then use your hands to mix until everything is well combined.
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Press it and add chocolate. Press the mixture into an 8×4 inch pan lined with parchment paper, then melt your chocolate in a small saucepan until it’s nice and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and tilt the pan so that the chocolate covers the peanut butter layer entirely.
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Refrigerate, slice & devour. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour before slicing into 10 bars or squares (either works but I love squares the most). Then enjoy!
Storing tips
- In the fridge: store these chocolate peanut butter protein bars in the fridge tightly wrapped or in an airtight bag or container for up to 2 weeks. The perfect easy snack to have on hand!
- In the freezer: feel free to keep them in a freezer-safe bag in your freezer for up to 1 month. If you do keep them in your freezer, be sure to leave them out on the counter for a few minutes before serving so that they soften up a bit.
More no bake snacks to try
- Sea Salt Cashew Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
- Peanut Butter Cup Freezer Fudge
- No Bake Superfood Brownies
- No Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Coconut & Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Get all of my no bake snacks here!
If you make these peanut butter protein bars, be sure to leave a comment below and rate them! And don’t forget to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so we can see your creations!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (192g) natural creamy peanut butter (just peanuts + salt)
- ¼ cup (84g) honey (or coconut palm syrup, if vegan)
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅓ cup (40g) ground flaxseed meal
- ½ cup (40g) of your favorite vanilla or plain protein powder*
- 2.5 ounces your favorite 85% dark chocolate bar
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- In a medium bowl mix together peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, vanilla together until smooth. Add in ground flaxseed meal and protein powder of choice. Use a spoon to mix together until you can’t anymore, then use clean hands to help work together. The batter should be similar to cookie dough.
- Press into an 8x4 inch pan lined with parchment paper.
- Make the chocolate layer by adding 2.5 ounces of dark chocolate to a small saucepan and melting until completely smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and tilt the pan so that the chocolate covers the peanut butter layer entirely.
- Place in the fridge for 30 minutes-1 hour before slicing into 10 bars or squares (either works but I love squares the most). Store covered in the fridge until ready to eat. Bars will keep for up to two weeks.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
This post was originally published on December 4th, 2017, republished on August 19th, 2019, republished on August 30th, 2022, and republished on January 15th, 2024.
Love this no bake protein bars – did have to add more peanut butter as the initial measurements made the bar too crumbly, so added some more peanut butter – stunning!!
I’m glad that worked out well! Perfect snack!
Hello, I have all the ingredients except for flax meal. Could I use hemp hearts in its place?
Thank you
Hi! I haven’t tested a substitution, but 2 tablespoons of coconut flour may work. I’ve seen other people use a mix of chia seeds and hemp hearts as well. Let me know if you experiment!
I love these. For some reason they remind me of Halava. Thank you for sharing.
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed.
This recipe is awesome! It’s a nice snack in the morning or right before a workout.
Instead of coconut oil I used 3 tablespoons of MCT oil. I found that 1 tablespoon made the bar too dry. For a sub of chocolate, I used carob chips and a squirt of MCT oil to make the chocolate smooth while melting them.
I’ve made this recipe 3-4 times now and still love it!
Perfect! Glad you love these!
I loved these! I followed the directions as written but had to use a 9″ loaf pan because that is what I had. I used Ascent vanilla whey protein powder. Huge hit with me and my husband who usually hates protein powder.
Perfect! Glad they were a hit!
I have just made these and cut into them, but they are quite soft and gooey despite being in the fridge for an hour. I followed the recipe exactly (although I did use a whey protein powder you didn’t mention), could you please help me on why this might have been? Thank you!
Hmm did the mixture seem overly “wet” when you pressed them into the pan? And did you use all natural peanut butter? It sounds like somehow there was too much liquid, so next time you could a little bit more flaxseed meal or protein powder.
I made these yesterday and they’re very delicious, but they didn’t set up! I troubleshooted the recipe and realized the natural PB I bought has palm oil, so I’m guessing that’s why the texture failed. I currently have an appropriate PB in my cart to try again next weekend!
On a side note, it’s been in the news that the decedent of the Reese’s cup inventor is outraged at what the chocolate has become these days. And he’s right- you can taste the artificial nature of it. I’m so happy to have encountered your PB and chocolate recipes that taste so much better and healthier!
Let me know how it goes with the new peanut butter! The flavor here is even better than Reese’s 🙂
These are delicious and easy to make! They are a great for when I want a healthier sweet treat option. Thank you for the recipe
Absolutely! Perfect snack or treat 🙂
These bars were simple to make without leaving the kitchen turned upside down and they’re perfect out of the freezer. I shared some with my picky nieces who also adored them. I swear half of my Pinterest board is Ambitious Kitchen recipes (many that are 5+ years old that I continue to keep in the rotation!)
Absolutely! So happy to hear that 🙂
I’m not a great cook, so I love how was this recipe is! My kids (and myself) love these and use these for dessert and snacks!
The best easy snack or dessert!
So easy to whip up!!! Family favorite!! Come out perfect every time!
Perfect snack!
Oh my gosh these protein bars are sooo good! It’s the perfect snack for when you want something indulgent but want to stick with cleaner ingredients!
I didn’t have ground flaxseed so I subbed coconut flour and they still turned out great. I’ll definitely be making this (and doubling it) in the future!
So happy you loved this one, Bec! It’s one of my favorite snacks for sure.
Is it okay if I just leave out the protein powder?
The protein powder will help the bars hold up, so I wouldn’t recommend leaving it out. You can try these bars instead, which use rolled oats and don’t require protein powder.
OMG these peanut butter protein bars are the BEST!!!! Definitely saving this recipe – thank you!!!
Delish! Will have these on repeat!
Such a great snack!
These look amazing but I can’t eat flax meal. Any ideas? Chia or maybe another seed? Ground pumpkin seeds?
I’ve seen some readers sub a mix of chia and hemp seeds, or you could try a tablespoon or two of coconut flour!
These are so delicious! I swapped peanut butter for almond butter, and maple syrup for honey. If I could give this 10 stars I would.
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
Can’t wait to make these! Was wondering what you would recommend if I wanted to make them crunchy what would you add? Rice Krispy?
Try my Healthy Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats!