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With the right amount of sweetness and peanut butter, these Perfect Peanut Butter Protein Bars are perfect snacks for anyone, anytime!
I assume a lot of people think protein bars are made only for athletes, which is definitely not the case. Why? Because we all need protein.
That’s why you don’t need any special reason to enjoy delicious protein bars, like these ones. At least I don’t do any workout for them, and I’m certainly not an athlete.
And they are vegan, no-bake, and gluten-free. (If you’re intolerant to gluten, make sure the ingredients you buy have the label, though.)
This recipe is inspired by an Instagram post that I forgot to save and now have trouble finding it. (If you read this post, please let me know!) Via the post, I found that there’s a brand called Perfect Snacks based in the USA. (Just want to let you know about the store behind this recipe, no sponsor.)
As a native Taiwanese who lives in Taiwan like forever, I’ve never heard of them before. But the protein bars really look super delicious, so I want to make them myself. And here we are!
These peanut butter protein bars are really delicious, full of texture, and easy to make, with only 6 ingredients.
Watch How to Make It >>
Ingredients You Need
- Rolled Oats or Instant Oats: We will grind them into oat flour. If you don’t have a grinder or food processor, just buy oat flour.
- Vegan protein powder: Any kind of vegan protein powder should work. Just use the one you like.
- Peanut butter: Part of we want to say duh, but I shall keep my manners. Yes, we need peanut butter. Use the one without any added oil. I use smooth homemade peanut butter. You can also use a crunchy one.
- Maple syrup: aka my favorite liquid sweetener and it tastes so good with peanut butter. (Don’t you dare use another thing.😉)
- Coconut oil: It sort of serves like a binder for these protein bars. You can use refined coconut oil if you don’t like the coconut flavor.
- Dark Chocolate chips: No, it’s not optional. These protein bars will taste differently without chocolate chips. If you omit them, just … DON’T.
How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars
It’s a simple recipe. All you need to do is:
- Grind the oats first. Add them to a large bowl with the protein powder and salt. Give them a mix.
- Then in another bowl, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil. Melt them together in a microwave or over simmering water.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry ones. Mix to combine.
- Finally, add the chocolate chips, which is essential. Mix and use your hand to shape all together into a dough.
- Use your hand or a spatula to press down the mixture firmly. Make sure they stick together.
- Cover the pan and place it into the fridge for 15-20 minutes, which is probably the hardest part of this recipe: Waiting.
- Take it out and remove the protein bars from the pan. Cut into slice and EAT!
If you don’t press firmly enough, the dough might fall apart. But that’s okay. Just add them to your smoothie bowls or oatmeal like a topping. I do that.
How to Store Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These bars need to be refrigerated. Place them in an air-tight container in the fridge. They should be fine for 1-2 weeks.
If you want to keep them for longer, pop them into the freezer. 1-2 months will not be a problem. But honestly, I never let them stay that long. I usually finish them within a week, on my own.
If that’s also the case for you, that’s super awesome. It means that your protein bars are as delish as mine, or even better!
These peanut butter protein bars are really yummy. I literally can eat them all day long. They have a great bitting texture but soft and easy to chew at the same time.
And I think I don’t need to talk about the peanut butter and the chocolate chips, right? I mean, I cannot live without them.
I hope you like this recipe and got a chance to give it a try. If you do, let me know by tagging me on Instagram (@barrelleaf) or leaving a comment down below. I would love to know how did it go.
If you’re hungry for more yummy snacks, check out:
- Apple Pie Energy Balls (7 ingredients)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheerios Bars (4 ingredients, no-bake)
- White Bean Cookie Dough (6 ingredients)
Vegan Perfect Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 50 g (1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp) instant oat, or rolled oats
- 2 Tbsp vegan protein powder
- A pinch of salt, optional
- 4 Tbsp peanut butter, use the natural one without added oil, I use homemade peanut butter
- 40 g (2 Tbsp) maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil, if you don't like the taste of coconut oil, you can use refined coconut oil
- 50 g (3-4 Tbsp) dark chocolate chips, veagn-friendly
Instructions
- Line a 6" loaf pan or small loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Grind the oats in a coffee grinder or food processor until they are finely ground.
- Add them to a large bowl along with the protein powder and salt. Give them a mix.
- In another bowl, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Melt them together in a microwave or over simmering water. Mix to incorporate.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry ones. Mix to combine.
- Add the chocolate chips, which is essential. Mix and use your hand to shape all together into a dough.
- Place the dough in a lined small bread pan (I use a 6″ one). Don’t worry, we’re not going to bake it. We just need the mold to hold their shape.
- Use your hand or a spatula to press down the mixture firmly to make sure they can stick together.
- Cover the pan and place it into the fridge for 15-20 minutes, which is probably the hardest part of this recipe.
- Take it out and remove the protein bars from the pan. Cut into slice and EAT!
Notes
- Storage: Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or 1 month in the freezer.
