These vegan, no-bake, chocolate peanut butter protein bars taste like a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, seriously. These are one of the best homemade protein bars I’ve ever had, and they’re super simple to make! Only 10 ingredients!
You guys already know, I love anything peanut butter and I love anything chocolate, so this was just bound to happen.
But, instead of making it a regular granola bar, I decided to make this a protein bar to make it a more filling snack, and let me tell you, I’m not disappointed.
These bars honestly taste like dessert – I love having one (okay 4) after dinner as dessert and I feel so satisfied and full and my sweet tooth is satisfied after eating them.
But, these are also great as a mid-day pick me up for when you just need a little something something ya know?
AND they’re SOOO easy to make! They’re made with 10 ingredients and you basically just throw everything in a food processor, put in it a tray, and you’re pretty much done.
Ingredients in these No Bake Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Oats: These are going to be the base of our bars. I used quick oats, but you can use rolled as well! It doesn’t really matter since we’re going to be blending it up anyways!
Protein Powder: Make sure you have a protein powder that you like the taste of! I used this vanilla one, but I think that almost any flavor would work well here! If you use chocolate though, be ready for a chocolate overload haha. If you don’t have protein powder, don’t worry! Just replace with an equal amount of oats. You’ll still be getting lots of protein without the protein powder! (more on that below)
Dates: Dates are such a good sweetener because they add a slight caramel flavor and they’re great for binding! Make sure to use Medjool dates that are really gooey! If yours are dry, soak them in hot water for 10 ish minutes and they should be good.
Peanut Butter: Essential for the amazing peanut butter flavor but if you can’t have peanuts or nuts in general, feel free to replace with another nut or seed butter of your choice!
Liquid Sweetener: I used honey because I just love the taste of honey roasts, but feel free to use maple syrup or date syrup to make this vegan!
Melted Coconut Oil: This helps everything really bind together and solidify in the bar and also helps the chocolate get that nice hardened texture on top of the bars
Hemp Seeds: I love using hemp seeds for an extra boost of protein, but feel free to use chia seeds or another type of nut like almonds or walnuts if you prefer!
Cacao Nibs: I like to mix these in for a little bit of crunch and chocolatey flavor, but use whatever you’d like! Chocolate chips, coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or some dried fruit would also go really well in here!
Chocolate Chips: We use this in the chocolate coating on top! I mean I guess you could make this without the chocolate coating, but like, why?
How to Make No Bake Vegan Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These bars are so simple to make!
Blend dry ingredients: In a food processor, blend together the oats, cinnamon, salt, and protein powder for 15-20 seconds.
Add & Blend Wet Ingredients: Add the dates, honey, peanut butter, melted coconut oil, and hemp seeds (I know hemp seeds are dry, but they blend better this way for some reason). Blend until a dough consistency forms. It shouldn’t be too wet, but it should stick together when you press on it. Add more oats if too wet, and add more dates, honey, or melted coconut oil if too dry.
Add Mix Ins: Mix in your mix in of choice.
Place in tray: Line an 8 x 8 baking tray with parchment paper. Pour the dough into the pan and press until it’s evenly spread.
Make Chocolate Topping: Melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips either in the microwave or on the stove. Spread the melted chocolate over the 8 x 8 dough.
Chill: Let chill in the fridge for 20-30 minute until the chocolate coating has hardened.
Enjoy!
Why are these Balanced?
I love making my protein bars balanced because I want them to satisfy me long enough until my next meal while still making sure I’m getting alllll the nutrients 🙂
Protein: Obviously, we’re getting protein from the protein powder, but we’re also getting protein from the hemp seeds, peanut butter, and oats!
Carbs: We’re getting fast and slow digesting carbs from the oats, dates, honey, and chocolate chips for quick energy!
Fat: The coconut oil, peanut butter, hemp seeds, and cacao nibs are giving us so much flavor and sustained energy!
Storage:
Store these in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days!
If you like this recipe, make sure to check out:
Blender Banana Bread Energy Balls
Healthy & Fudgy Banana Brownies
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
Bar Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup quick oats
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder Or chocolate if doing a chocolate flavor
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Bar Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of peanut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup honey, date syrup, or liquid sweetener of choice
- 5 gooey Medjool dates pitted
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp melted and cooled Coconut Oil
Mix ins
- 1/4 cup cocoa nibs
Chocolate Topping
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 2-3 tbsp chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend all the dry ingredients for 20 seconds.
- Then, add in the wet ingredients and blend until a dough forms. The dough should not be too wet, but should stick together when you press.
- Add in your mix-ins!
- Line an 8 x 8 tray with parchment paper and pour the dough in. Press the dough into an even layer, this will be the base of the bars.
- Melt your coconut oil and chocolate chips either in the microwave or on the stove. Pour over the base of the bars and spread evenly.
- Place in the refrigerator to chill for 20 – 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens on top.
- Cut into squares and enjoy!
- Store these in an air-tight container in the fridge for 7-10 days!
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