Peanut butter protein bars – A homemade version of the Perfect Peanut Butter Bars that are sweet, loaded with protein and taste like cookie dough! No cooking required, super easy and ready in no time.
I don’t know about you, but breakfast isn’t my favorite meal of the day. I hate taking the time to do something. But I want something that’s full of protein, filling, and easy. And let’s face it, chocolate chip muffins aren’t the best choice for a healthy breakfast.
So, I’ve tried just about every protein bar on the market, trying to find one that I like. Perfect bars seem to be the ones I like best, but they are so expensive. So I decided to try mine!
What you will need
- Peanut Butter – you want to use a peanut butter with peanuts as the only ingredients on the jar. You don’t want to add any sugar or oil to it. The recipe will definitely work if you use Skippy Peanut Butter, but the nutritional aspect changes a lot when you do.
- protein powder – I like to use vanilla here, but if you want to make them more chocolatey or with a different flavor, any variety will work. Just use a powder you like. There are a million on the market, using different protein sources. Choose one that you like and that works well with your stomach.
- Agave – I like the agave in this recipe because it softens, but does not flavor the bars. Honey or maple syrup also work great. I use about 1/4 cup, sometimes a little less. If I put chocolate on top, I use closer to 2 tbsp. It’s a kind of taste. So mix the dough, taste it before pressing it into the mold to determine if you want a little more.
- Chocolate – the chocolate on top is completely optional. Perfect bars are not coated in chocolate, which makes them different. It’s just a great
Perfect bars
I have to say these are probably my all time favorite bars. They’re just sweet enough, without tasting like a dessert (at least to me, you can reduce the agave if you want it even less sweet). I think they are smoother and creamier than the Perfect bars. Sometimes I think these can be a little dense and chalky, so I’ll make my own from now on!
I added the chocolate layer on top to make it a bit more fun, but that’s completely optional! The nutrition information on the recipe card includes the chocolate filling, so if those numbers are important to you, be sure to calculate them without, if that’s how you choose to prepare them.
How to make peanut butter protein bars
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for full measurements and instructions!
- In a bowl, combine peanut butter, protein powder, agave, vanilla and mini chocolate chips.
- Press into a lined 8-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt chocolate and avocado oil until smooth. Pour over bars and spread in an even layer. This is completely optional – skip this step if you don’t want chocolate on top.
- Place in the fridge for 2-3 hours to set completely.
- Cut into 10 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe tips
- I like to use agave in this recipe because I think it doesn’t affect the flavor as much as maple syrup or honey. But you can really use any liquid sweetener you like.
- If you have a peanut allergy or just want to switch up the flavor, use whatever nut butter you like! You can even use sun butter or wow butter as hypoallergenic alternatives.
- Once the bars are set, you can remove them from the pan to slice them. If you’re using the chocolate on top, you may want to let them warm slightly before slicing. This will help ensure that the chocolate does not shatter and separate from the bars.
Storage
These will last about a week in the refrigerator. I layer them with parchment paper or wax paper in an airtight container so they don’t stick together. Then you can just grab one in the morning, after your workout or just because you’re hungry and enjoy!
Yield: 10
Peanut butter protein bars
Peanut Butter Protein Bars – A homemade version of the Perfect Peanut Butter Bars that are sweet, loaded with protein and taste like cookie dough! No cooking required, super easy and ready in no time.
Preparation time 10 minutes
Additional time 2 hours
Total time 2 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups natural peanut butter (peanuts as the only ingredient)
- 3/4 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 cup agave (or honey)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate (optional)
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine peanut butter, protein powder, agave, vanilla and mini chocolate chips.
- Press into a lined 8-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt chocolate and avocado oil until smooth. Pour over bars and spread in an even layer. This is completely optional – skip this step if you don’t want chocolate on top.
- Place in the fridge for 2-3 hours to set completely.
- Cut into 10 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition information
Yield
ten
Portion
1
Amount per serving calories 237Total fat 15gSaturated fat 4gtrans fat 0gUnsaturated fats 10gCholesterol 1mgSodium 209mgCarbohydrates 18gFiber 3gSugar 12gProtein 12g
Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a guide.
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Welcome to Dinners, Mains & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I am an occasional home cook who enjoys feeding people. On this blog you will find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with my family and friends.
