Homemade Protein Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipe

Introduction

These homemade protein bars are a convenient and delicious way to fuel your day with lasting energy. Made with simple ingredients like peanut butter and protein powder, they can be customized to suit your taste and dietary needs.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (or allergy-friendly substitute)
• 3/4 cup protein powder (about 90g)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 oz melted chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, protein powder, maple syrup, and salt. Stir well until the mixture forms a uniform dough.
2. Step 2: Shape the dough into bars by hand or press it evenly into a lined 8×8-inch pan for easier cutting later.
3. Step 3: If desired, melt the chocolate chips and optionally stir in 2 teaspoons of oil for a smoother consistency. Spread the melted chocolate evenly over the bars in the pan or dip each bar individually in the chocolate.
4. Step 4: Refrigerate the bars until firm, about 1–2 hours, then slice if made in the pan. Keep bars chilled until ready to eat.

Tips & Variations

• Try different protein powder flavors to find your favorite taste combination; unsweetened powder works well as a base.
• Substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter if you have peanut allergies.
• For a lower-carb option, substitute maple syrup with a keto-friendly sweetener.
• Incorporate mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or seeds for extra texture and nutrition.

Storage

Store protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If coated with chocolate, keep chilled to prevent melting. For longer storage, freeze bars for up to one month and thaw in the fridge before eating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different nut butters instead of peanut butter?

Yes, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work well and can be substituted in equal amounts depending on your dietary needs or preferences.

What type of protein powder is best for this recipe?

Unsweetened protein powders are recommended to control sweetness, but you can experiment with flavored powders. Just be mindful that sweeter powders may change the overall taste and texture.

Homemade Protein Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate Recipe

Print Recipe

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These homemade protein bars are a quick, nutritious, and customizable snack perfect for fueling your day or post-workout recovery. Made with peanut butter, protein powder, and pure maple syrup, they can be shaped into bars and optionally coated with rich melted chocolate for an indulgent touch. These no-bake bars are easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and time, and can be adapted with your favorite protein powder flavors to suit your taste.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: 10 bars (based on 8×8 pan dimensions and typical bar size) 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (or allergy-friendly substitute)
• 3/4 cup protein powder (approximately 90 grams, unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Ingredients

• 4 oz melted chocolate chips (optional, for coating)
• 2 teaspoons oil (to mix with chocolate for smoother coating, optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, protein powder, pure maple syrup, and salt. Stir thoroughly until a uniform dough forms.
2. Shape the bars: Either use your hands to shape the mixture into individual bars or press the dough evenly into a lined 8×8 inch pan for a uniform shape.
3. Optional chocolate coating: If using chocolate, melt the chocolate chips. For a smoother texture, stir in 2 teaspoons of oil if desired. You can either spread the melted chocolate evenly over the shaped bars in the pan or individually dip bars into the chocolate.
4. Chill the bars: Place the prepared bars or the pan into the refrigerator and chill until firm and set, typically about 1 hour.
5. Cut and serve: If you pressed the mixture into a pan, cut it into bars before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for best freshness.

Notes

• Ensure you like the flavor of your chosen protein powder since it heavily influences the taste.
• Use unsweetened protein powder to keep sugar levels lower, or try flavored protein powders to customize taste.
• Maple syrup can be substituted with honey; for keto versions, use a keto-friendly sweetener.
• Adding oil to melted chocolate helps achieve a smoother coating but is optional.
• Store bars refrigerated to maintain texture and freshness; they can also be frozen for longer storage.
• Experiment with additional mix-ins like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for varied textures.

Keywords: protein bars, peanut butter bars, no-bake protein bars, healthy snack, post-workout snack, homemade protein bars