Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Bars Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Bars Recipe

Today we are making a Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Bars Recipe! This recipe will remind you of high protein peanut butter cups (like Reese’s Pieces, but high protein), with that whole flavor turned into an energy bar! You can even drizzle extra PB on top for extra protein and more peanut butter flavor (similar to the peanut butter filling of Reese’s cups)! This is personal preference, but peanut butter chocolate combo is honestly the best flavor – right at the top of the list after chocolate chip cookie dough! What do you think?

Just 5 Healthy Ingredients

Now, this is a great recipe doesn’t use any crazy gourmet ingredients – just five whole foods that you may already have in your pantry, or are easy enough to find at the store. Coconut sugar, maple syrup, a hint of vanilla, cocoa powder, and good old peanut butter.

Coconut Sugar & Maple Syrup

First up, we’ve got coconut sugar, a natural sweetener that’s a far cry from the refined stuff. It imparts a subtle, caramel-like sweetness. Next we’ve got maple syrup, a liquid gold that’s not only packed with flavor but also provides some essential minerals like manganese and zinc. It’s the kind of sweetener that gives you that warm, cozy feeling. This recipe does not have any added sugar aside from this.

Vanilla Extract & Cocoa

Next, we add a touch of vanilla extract. It’s like the secret sauce that elevates the entire flavor profile, making our bars stand out from the crowd. Then the rich chocolate flavor – cocoa powder. Not only does it bring that rich, chocolatey goodness we all crave, but it’s also chock-full of antioxidants and has been linked to various health benefits, like improved heart health and mood enhancement. Who knew dessert could be so good for you?

Peanut Butter

Finally, the star of our show – peanut butter. It brings a creamy, nutty richness that’s simply irresistible. Plus, peanuts are a fantastic source of plant-based protein and healthy fats. They’ll keep you feeling satisfied without that sugar crash you get from regular fudge. Each bar has about 12 grams of protein here. Eating delicious recipes is an easy way to get some of your protein in for the day and can be part of a healthy diet.

(Goodbye expired bag of vanilla protein powder that sits in the back of the cupboard that you just can’t make taste good in any way, shape or form. We’ve all been through the strange-tasting protein powder phase, right?)

Quick Recipe For A Sweet Tooth

So, what makes these fudge bars healthier than your average fudge? It’s all in the ingredients. We’ve traded refined sugar for coconut sugar, packed in some maple syrup goodness, added the warm embrace of vanilla, and embraced the wholesome benefits of cocoa and peanut butter. It’s dessert that not only makes you crave more, but is also nourishing in the sweetest way possible!

Why You’ll Love These Easy Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Chocolaty Bliss Meets Creamy Peanut Butter Love: Let’s talk flavor harmony. These bars are like a duet between chocolate and peanut butter that hits all the right notes. The cocoa powder adds that rich, deep chocolate flavor we all crave, while peanut butter brings a creamy, nutty indulgence that’s simply irresistible. Plus, peanuts are a fantastic source of plant-based protein and healthy fats, so you can savor your treat with the additional health benefits!

No Oven Required: One of the best parts about this simple recipe is that there’s no need to crank up the oven or the stove for this dessert delight. These no-bake bars save you time and effort, making them perfect for those moments when you want something sweet, and you want it now. They’re also a great choice for warm days when you’d rather not heat up the kitchen.

Substitutions

Pure Vanilla Extract: Choose a high-quality vanilla extract, without additional caramel color or dyes. You can also use pure vanilla flavor, which is non-alcoholic so can’t be labeled as extract.

Maple Syrup: Use agave nectar or another liquid sweetener of choice. Note that agave will have a very similar texture to maple syrup here, but other liquid sweeteners may have a different taste and texture.

Coconut Sugar: Try using brown sugar if you canned find coconut sugar. However, the recipe will not be considered refined sugar-free in that case.

Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is the bitter chocolate powder that is commonly used when baking chocolate desserts. You can substitute with cacao powder as well, which is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa powder. I love Organic Traditions brand of cacao.

Peanut Butter: Make sure your peanut butter has a creamy and smooth consistency. If it’s too thick or dry, it might affect the creamy texture of the fudge. If needed, you can gently warm the peanut butter to soften it before using.

Additionally, choose regular peanut butter but specifically one doesn’t have any added sugars or oils – the only ingredient should be peanuts (or roasted peanuts). This natural peanut butter is normally drippy due to the oils that come out of the peanuts, and works best here.

I would also avoid using crunchy peanut butter because the texture is not going to be as smooth.

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Bars Recipe Notes

• Top this fudge with a drizzle of peanut butter, cacao nibs, chocolate chips or other desired toppings! You can also top with vegan sugar-free chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips (in order of least to most sugar).
• Each bar has about 12 grams of protein.
• Switch up the flavor with different nut butters! Try cashew butter or almond butter instead.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Tahini Freezer Fudge

S’mores Fudge

Chickpea Peanut Butter Blondies

Cranberry Almond Energy Balls

If you make this Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Protein Bars Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!