When it comes to protein bars, I consider myself a connoisseur (needless to say I had to google that spelling). There is not a protein bar on the US market that hasn’t been tested and vetted by moi (what’s with the french today).
I’m not too picky, rarely do I legitimately hate a protein bar. Looking at you built bars – the unchewable, and the worst offender of all time – bulletproof bars! those do not taste like food #sorrynotsorry
But I did notice a particular pattern that my go-to flavor is unmistakably Chocolate Peanut Butter. Name the brand, chocolate peanut butter is the winner. Fight me and what’s your fave flavor?
This recipe is my attempt at making some delicious and clean chocolate peanut butter protein bars 🤤 I used a plant-based protein powder so if you’re using whey you might want to use less milk since plant-based protein tends to be more dry.
Also if for whatever reason you hate peanut butter or cannot have peanuts, use any nut/seed butter you prefer. You might have to adjust the consistency with the protein, should be pretty easy.
If you make this leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Small-batch Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Equipment
- Standard loaf pan
Ingredients
Bar dough
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (128 g) sub other nut/seed butter
- 1/2 cup (nut) milk (120 g) I used unsweetened almond milk, you can sub 3 tbsp of this for maple syrup – helps override the "protein taste"
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder (120 g) I tested with both Orgain simple vanilla and Quest salted caramel
Chocolate layer
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (64 g) sub other nut/seed butter
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate (60 g)
Instructions
- Line a standard loaf pan with parchment.
- In a medium bowl mix peanut butter and 1/4 cup of nut milk. Add protein, stir to combine.
- Add the rest of the nut milk gradually, stopping as soon as a bar dough forms. (This depends on the consistency of your nut butter and protein. I used the full 1/2 cup.)
- Press the bar dough on to the pan and let it freeze at least 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl add chocolate layer ingredients. Microwave 30 sec at a time and stir until all chocolate is melted.
- Pour chocolate on top of the bars and tap on your counter to spread evenly.
- Freeze another 30 minutes to set completely. Slice and enjoy! Keep them refrigerated or frozen.
Notes
- Each small bar has 7g protein, two pieces is a very good protein packed snack!
- I tested this recipe both with Orgain simple vanilla and Quest salted caramel. Orgain required the whole 1/2 cup almond milk whereas Quest only needed about 100ml. Adjust this for your own protein powder.
- I’ve lately made these bars with 3 tbsp maple syrup + 1/3 cup (plant) milk instead of the 1/2 cup (plant) milk, which helps override the “protein taste” and makes them exactly like cookie dough.
I’m coming back to make my third batch and yay, finally I’m able to review your great recipes on my phone (I wasn’t able to previously). I make these exactly as written and they taste better than the ones that you can buy for significantly cheaper. Thanks for all the delicious recipes!
Hi Carrie – so glad to hear you love these, they’re one of my favs too! so convenient to keep frozen and thaw for a few minutes and YUM. thanks again and keep me posted <3