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    Home » Recipe

    How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars

    March 13, 2019 by Bailey Sissom 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars are simple, requiring just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes to make. #glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan

    Pin Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars for later!
    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars on white parchment paper.

    Stay with me for a second while I come out and say something a little conceited. These Peanut Butter Chocolate  Protein Bars are AMAZING. Seriously, grab-n'-go breakfast perfection. Nope not even grab-n'-go breakfast perfection.. JUST PERFECTION. These bars are soft and chewy just like a granola bar should be, and as the name implies, they're packed with protein (see notes in recipe).

    I've obviously got a thing going with homemade granola bars (exhibit A, B and C). But this recipe, it's special. It was created for my favorite 5-year-old-boy who refuses to consume homemade bars with chunks of nuts in them. Never mind that he routinely begs for AND eats Lara Bars (loaded with nuts) from the store. I've learned to choose my battles, and granola bar logic (or lack thereof), well.. not worth it.

    In addition to a selective nut aversion, our pediatrician recently recommended that Campbell stay away from dairy containing cow proteins.  It's been tougher (and more expensive) than I would have imagined. I've been working hard to come up with substitutes for our favorite recipes. For these bars, I used goat milk, but you could use ANY type of milk that works for your family. The recipe isn'f fussy.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars stacked on a wooden cutting board.

    Here's a few of my favorite things about these bars:

    • Made from 9-ingredients that are all most likely hanging out in your kitchen as you read this recipe.
    • NO VISIBLE NUTS - obviously the bars are loaded with nuts in the form of peanut butter, but your kiddo or picky spouse will never be the wiser.
    • All recognizable ingredients. If you've never checked out the ingredient list on different varieties of store-bought bars, it can be shocking. There are more and more real food options, but they are really really expensive.
    • Homemade granola bars, well.. they make you feel like a "Pinterest Mom," and yet, they really couldn't be easier to make.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars on white parchment paper.

    Time Saving Tips and Tricks:

    Prep: You can preassemble the dry ingredients and store them in an airtight container in your pantry for up to a month, if not longer. Add the wet ingredients and you will be ready to pop these in the oven.

    Make Ahead: Make and bake these bars. Let them cool. Wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, but I bet ya they won't last that long.

    Freezer: Wrap the cooled and sliced bars in parchment paper and place them into an airtight Ziplock bag. They will keep up to a month.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars on white parchment paper.

    Print
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    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars on white parchment paper.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars

    • Author: Bailey Sissom
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 20 mins
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 12 bars 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars are simple, requiring just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes to make. #glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free blend if desired)
    • ¼ cup peanut butter powder
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ cup peanut butter
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ½ cup + 2 TBS milk (goat, almond, cow.. it all works)
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup dark chocolate chunks (sub sweet dried fruit if vegan or dairy-free)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray and line an 9x11" or 8"x8" inch baking dish with parchment paper.
    2. In large mixing bowl combine oats, peanut butter powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix.
    3. Into the bowl of a stand mixer, combine peanut butter, honey, milk, and vanilla. Mix until fully combined.
    4. Pour dry ingredient mix into the wet ingredients. Mix until fully combined. The batter will be very sticky. Add chocolate chunks. Stir to incorporate.
    5. Pour into prepared baking dish. I wet my hands and them use them to firmly press the mixture into place. Use a rubber spatula to ensure that it is distributed evenly.
    6. Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
    7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
    8. Cut bars into desired serving size. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

    Notes

    • I used no-stir peanut butter for this recipe. Using natural (with the oil on the top) will change the recipe ratios/texture and I have not tested the results.
    • 3g of protein isn't a TON. The original recipe contained protein powder, but I don't like giving that to my kids.  If you'd like to up the protein factor, swap out the ¼ cup of peanut butter powder for a scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder. You will also want to reduce the amount of oats you use by about ⅛ - ¼ cup.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @simplysissom on Instagram and hashtag it #simplysissom

    Let's Connect:

    • You can  find Simply Sissom on Instagram where I share even more recipes (some that aren’t on the blog), behind the scenes pics and videos AND tips and tricks to make healthy eating realistic for your busy family.

    RECIPES LIKE HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE PROTEIN BARS:

    Blueberry and Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies:

    Blueberry and Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies on a glass cake pedestal.

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars are simple, requiring just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes to make. #glutenfree #dairyfree #vegan

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    About Bailey Sissom

    Bailey Sissom is a 3rd grade teacher turned stay-at-home mom and the creator of Simply Sissom, a blog for busy moms who value feeding their kids healthy meals and snacks, but struggle with finding the time to make it happen. On Simply Sissom, Bailey shares practical recipes, tips and tricks to help make preparing whole food meals happen consistently.

    Comments

    1. [email protected]'s Recipes says

      June 18, 2015 at 8:55 am

      We are huge fans of peanut butter! These protein bars fit the bill!

      Reply
      • Simply Sissom says

        July 02, 2015 at 12:32 am

        Hi Angie! I think you will love them. Let me know!

        Reply
    2. Ellen says

      March 30, 2017 at 6:13 pm

      I have the Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars in the pan and realized the chocolate bits were never added. I followed the directions.........no mention of adding the chocolate. I'll press them in the best I can, but maybe a good idea to include in the recipe. Please do not use my email address for any promotion. Thanks

      Reply
      • Bailey Sissom says

        April 04, 2017 at 10:04 am

        You email is safe with me! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Since the chocolate chunks are optional I did not add them to the recipe, but I definitely see how this could be confusing. I am going to edit the recipe this afternoon. Thank you! Hope you loved the bars!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Bailey! Boy Mom x3 and former teacher turned food blogger. On Simply Sissom you will find simple, tasty, fuss-free recipes that are perfect for busy families.

    More about me →

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