Easy no-bake Chocolate Peanut Protein Bars made with peanuts, cacao and protein powder, sweetened naturally with medjool dates! These take 5 minutes to make, simply dump the ingredients in the food processor and blend. Drizzle with a bit of chocolate for a worthy snack that'll keep you full! Kids love these, too.
Protein is totally having a moment again. I know you've noticed.
You may already know and love my Matcha Protein Bars, Cookie Dough Protein Bars and Banana Protein Bars. But there is something so ridiculously magical about the combo of peanuts and chocolate, right?
The sweet and the salty is everything. And instead of peanut butter, we're actually using salty, roasty peanuts. So accessible!
Mind you, I was on a very long Aloha protein bar kick and while there's certainly a time and a place for store-bought snacks, we're getting back to basics today. My wallet is doing a dance.
Ingredients
- Peanuts: I developed this recipe with dry roasted, salted peanuts for maximum flavor. If yours are unsalted, add ¼ tsp salt to the recipe (P.S. The photo above shows walnuts; originally I made these with 1 cup peanuts and ½ up walnuts, but all peanuts is easier!)
- Medjool dates: I found in testing that soft dates make these wonderfully chewy, and add caramel flavor notes, and pack a fiber punch! Fun fact: dates are actually a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. Right off the tree they're insanely moist and almost juicy! Dates last for a really long time but if yours are feeling hard, wrap them in a moist paper towel and microwave them for a bit OR let them soak in hot water for a few minutes.
- Cacao powder: I like making these with raw cacao powder for the antioxidant benefit but good old unsweetened baking cocoa works totally fine here, too. Check out all my favorite cacao recipes!
- Protein powder: This obviously helps boost the protein content. Vanilla or chocolate work great! I've tested these successfully with both plant-based rice/pea blends and collagen (not whey). Swap old fashioned oats or coconut if you don't feel the need for protein powder!
- Chocolate chips + coconut oil: Because a velvetty chocolate drizzle is always an amazing idea.
How to store
I like to store these gems in the freezer because I think the texture is amazing. The fridge is another great option; they'll last a week or longer in there.
Go change the world, Popeye!!
Print
6-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Protein Bars (sweetened with dates!)
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 10 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Easy no-bake Chocolate Peanut Protein Bars made with peanuts and protein powder, sweetened naturally with medjool dates! These take 5 minutes to make, simply dump the ingredients in the food processor and blend. Drizzle with a bit of chocolate for a worthy snack that'll keep you full! Kids love these, too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted soft medjool dates, packed (about 12 large dates)
- 1 ½ cup salted peanuts (plus more for topping)
- ¼ cup chocolate plant protein powder
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 2 tbsp chocolate chips
- ½ tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with parchment or wax paper. If your dates are hard, soak them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to soften up.
- Place dates and peanuts in the bowl of a large food processor. Process a minute or two, or until a crumbly mixture is formed.
- Add protein powder, cacao powder, and 1 tbsp water or milk. Use a spatula to break apart and stir mixture a bit by hand before processing again until a dough ball is formed.
- Place mixture in pan and flatten well with hands until even and smooth.
- Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle over bars and top with crushed peanuts, if you're feeling fancy. Freeze overnight and cut into 8-10 bars. I like to store in the freezer!
Recipe by Alexis Joseph of Hummusapien™. Photos by Eat Love Eats.
Nishreen says
Hi
If I’m swapping the protein powder fkr oats, do I grind the oats into a flour or just add it as is? Do I also soak it first?
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
You’d want oat flour so it’s fine like the protein powder so yes, grind them. Nope, never soak oats being used as a dry ingredient!
Nishreen says
Thank you!
Rachel says
We loved these! So easy to make. My husband chose them over ice cream for dessert.
Alexis Joseph says
Wow this is the best, thanks so much Rachel!
Claudia says
Hello, can you add chocolate collagen powder instead of protein powder? And how much?
Alexis Joseph says
For sure, same amount!
Giovonne says
These bars are so good! This recipe will always be my go-to protein bar recipe. They’re fun to customize with different protein powders and nuts!
Alexis Joseph says
Yay, thank you so much Giovanne!
Becky says
These protein bars are delicious! I've tried several other recipes found online, and this is by far the best tasting, and so healthy and easy to make.
Alexis Joseph says
Thanks so much, Becky! They're a favorite around here, too.
Jess says
Due to my inability to get to the grocery store today, I substituted pecans for peanuts. Wowza!! Amazing!!!
Alexis Joseph says
Love it! I’m thrilled you liked it, Jess. If you’d be open to leaving a star rating next time, I’d be so grateful! Enjoy 🙂
Just4Foodies says
I made these yesterday to have throughout the week – and these are SO good!
Thanks, Alexis 🙂
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Giovonne says
These are amazing!! This is one of the best protein bar recipes I've ever made, and they're well worth pulling out the Cuisinart. I'm about to go make my third batch right now! They also make perfect little protein balls if you don't want to press and cut into squares.
Alexis says
Heck yes! I love that you cut them into squares. Thanks so much for sharing, friend!
Kori says
These are stellar! So thankful you shared the recipe, and I loved how nicely they came together. There's something so rewarding from making my own snacks.
Kori says
These are stellar! So thankful you shared the recipe, and I loved how nicely they came together. There's something so rewarding from making my own snacks.
Anna Trombetta says
These look divine! Do you think it would be ok to swap the walnuts for almonds, maybe soaked first? I happen to have them on hand...
Can't wait to try!
Alexis says
You could def swap almonds but the soaked factor would add moisture so you may have to adjust!
Anna Trombetta says
Made these indeed with almonds and chocolate protein powder (whey), and they're SO GOOD. I always have trouble eating enough fats, so I'm PSYCHED that these pack a good punch of healthy fats! (and not so healthy, but dark chocolate has antioxidants, so screw it)
Thanks for the recipe!! These will definitely be on rotation in my house.
Alexis says
So glad to hear they worked with whey protein! Thanks for the feedback, Anna.
Anna Trombetta says
These look divine! Do you think it would be ok to swap the walnuts for almonds, maybe soaked first? I happen to have them on hand...
Can't wait to try!
Alexis says
You could def swap almonds but the soaked factor would add moisture so you may have to adjust!
Anna Trombetta says
Made these indeed with almonds and chocolate protein powder (whey), and they're SO GOOD. I always have trouble eating enough fats, so I'm PSYCHED that these pack a good punch of healthy fats! (and not so healthy, but dark chocolate has antioxidants, so screw it)
Thanks for the recipe!! These will definitely be on rotation in my house.
Alexis says
So glad to hear they worked with whey protein! Thanks for the feedback, Anna.
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
Love how soft and fudgy these look! They remind me of these chocolate sea salt copy-cat RX bars 🙂
https://audrasappetite.com/chocolate-sea-salt-protein-bars/
Alexis says
Yess! So fudgy.
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
Love how soft and fudgy these look! They remind me of these chocolate sea salt copy-cat RX bars 🙂
https://audrasappetite.com/chocolate-sea-salt-protein-bars/
Alexis says
Yess! So fudgy.
Jennette says
These look fantastic! Would you have the nutrition info on these? Thanks!
Alexis says
Thanks--hope you love them! Nope, I don't calculate nutrition info!
Jennette says
These look fantastic! Would you have the nutrition info on these? Thanks!
Alexis says
Thanks--hope you love them! Nope, I don't calculate nutrition info!
Kori says
Between these and your baked oatmeal bars, I feel so inspired to make homemade snacks for us this week! Thank you!
Alexis says
Yayyy! I loved seeing you make them, Kori!
Kori says
Between these and your baked oatmeal bars, I feel so inspired to make homemade snacks for us this week! Thank you!
Alexis says
Yayyy! I loved seeing you make them, Kori!