6-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Protein Bars (sweetened with dates!)

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. Step aside, fiber!

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 like dry roasted, salted peanuts. If yours are unsalted, add ¼ tsp salt to the recipe. Did you know peanuts have more protein that any other nut? They boast a whopping 7g of plant-powered protein per serving. (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: Pitted 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 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).
• Chocolate chips + coconut oil: Because a velvetty chocolate drizzle is always an amazing idea.

Substitutions

• Protein powder: Swap old fashioned oats or coconut if you don't feel the need for protein powder!
• Cacao: If you want more of a vanilla peanut vibe, omit the cacao and sub oats or coconut.
• Peanuts: If you'd rather use peanut butter, try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars!

Let's make them!

1. Blend dates and peanuts in the food processor (do not use a blender!) for a minute or two.
2. Add protein powder, cacao powder, and 1 tbsp water, processing until a dough ball is formed.
3. Place mixture in lined loaf pan and flatten well with hands until even and smooth.
4. Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small microwave-safe bowl. Drizzle over bars. Freeze, slice, and devour!

My favorite protein powders

Below are a few plant based and collagen blends that I personally use on a regular basis. They have high-quality ingredients, actually taste good, and aren't overly sweet. Hooray!

• Skoop chocolate plant protein
• Amazing Grass chocolate plant protein
• Paleo Valley chocolate collagen
• Further Food vanilla collagen

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!!

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Recipe by Alexis Joseph of Hummusapien™. Photos by Eat Love Eats.