Easy no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars make the perfect healthy snack or treat that you can keep in the fridge and enjoy all week! Vegan and gluten-free.
There is something so ridiculously magical about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate.
The sweet and the salty. The bamboozling fullness and velvety smooth mouthfeel. The utter SATISFACTION of it all. I can't!
Since traveling through Japan and having an overall wicked busy past few months, I've been buying a lot of snack bars. And I believe there is absolutely a time for pre-made snacks.
Not wanting to invest the mental energy or time into whipping out the food processor makes it worth throwing ready to eat snacks in your cart. Certain seasons of life demand it!
But I cannot lie. I've been itchin' for my own cheaper (and quite often tastier) versions of said protein bars. You may be familiar with my Matcha Protein Bars and Cookie Dough Protein Bars. Both are SUH GUDDDDD. Think of these as their long lost cousin that's not so lost.
Medjool dates like the ones used in this Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars recipe are the dream sweetener. I learned on my trip to Yuma, Arizona years back that dates are actually a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. Right off the tree they're insanely moist and almost juicy!
They never go through a drying process like raisins or dried cranberries. Packed with fiber and a host of vitamins and minerals, they get the job done both in caramely flavor AND texture. Bonus points!
How to Make Homemade Protein Bars
Making these delish Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars is really quite simple. You'll need a food processor to grind the dates (find them in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe's or at Costco by the fresh fruit) plus a handful of ingredients like peanuts, walnuts, and protein powder that you likely already have on hand.
I like raw cacao powder for the antioxidant benefit but good old unsweetened baking cocoa works totally fine here, too. You do you, boo!
You want the mixture to form a "dough" ball and sometimes adding a splash of water helps everything come together depending on how *moist* (sorry!) your dates are. 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.
Just promise me that you won't forget to remove the pit. I've ended up accidentally grinding those more than once and let me tell you, it is not a pretty sound. They are not the garbage disposal's friend!
Fun fact! Did you know peanuts have more protein that any other nut? They boast a whopping seven grams of plant-powered protein per serving. To be honest, I don't use a ton of protein powder these days but I do like the extra boost it adds to grab and go snacks.
Which Protein Powder is Best?
This and this are my favorite protein powders. Now that I think of it, chocolate flavored protein would probably be v tasty in here as well! I always go with plant-based protein powder so I have no idea how these would be with whey. Try at your own risk.
If you don't have protein, you can swap it out for oats or coconut or whatever you fancy.
How to Store Protein Bars
I like to store these gems in the freezer because I think the texture is amazing. The fridge or freezer will work and they last for quite a while!
CRAVING MORE SNACK GOODNESS? DON’T MISS MY OTHER GO-TO RECIPES:
- Cookie Dough Protein Bars
- Banana Protein Bars
- Salted Chocolate Covered Oatmeal Bites
- No-Bake Matcha Protein Bars
- Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Bars
Go change the world, Popeye!!
PrintChocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 8 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easy no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars make the perfect healthy snack or treat that you can keep in the fridge and enjoy all week! Vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted soft medjool dates, packed (about 12 large dates)
- 1 cup salted peanuts (plus more for topping)
- ½ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup vanilla plant-based protein powder
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 1 tbsp water, if needed
- 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, peanuts and walnuts in the bowl of a large food processor. Process a minute or two, or until a crumbly mixture is formed.
- Add protein powder and cacao powder. Use a spatula to break apart and stir mixture a bit by hand before processing again until a dough ball is formed. If mixture won’t form a ball, add a tablespoon of water
- 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. Freeze overnight.
- Cut into 8-10 bars. Store in air-right container in freezer for best texture.
Recipe by Alexis Joseph of Hummusapien™. Photos by Eat Love Eats.
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!