These no bake peanut butter chocolate protein bars taste delicious and each bar has 9 grams of protein. Plus, they’re so easy to make.
I’m both a personal trainer and a health coach. Lucky for me, I’ve learned from both of these specialties about the importance of fueling up after workouts. I try to get a mix of protein and carbohydrates in my body within an hour of working out — protein to help rebuild my muscles and carbohydrates to help rebuild my energy stores.
I went through a phase when I was constantly packing RXBARs for a post-workout snack. I would buy them by the case because they were (and still are!) that good.
I quickly realized how much money I was spending on RXBARs and I figured I should probably rein it in. These copycat protein bars are a product of that realization, and you guys… they’re amazing. Treat yourself to a protein bar for a fraction of the price! I can’t wait to experiment with more flavors. Maple sea salt, I’m looking at you!
Why I Love These Homemade Protein Bars
High in protein! The protein powder and peanuts pack a solid protein punch in these bars.
E-A-S-Y. Seriously, I can throw these together in 15 minutes or less!
Gluten-free and paleo-friendly, with a vegan option.
Chocolate. ’Nough said.
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
medjool dates – you can buy medjool dates that are already pitted or pit them yourself (it’s super easy). Two brands that I like are Natural Delights and Joolies. You can find Natural Delights in the produce section of most grocery stores (near the bananas) and Joolies are offered on Amazon and Thrive Market.
peanuts – helps to pack a solid protein punch in these bars.
egg white protein powder– collagen and vegan protein powders work too.
cocoa powder or cacao powder – either option will work.
sea salt – if peanuts are salted, leave this out.
dark chocolate chunks or chips – I like to use Lily’s dark chocolate chips to keep this recipe low in sugar and dairy-free.
Notes & Substitutions
Nuts – Allergic to peanuts or prefer a different nut switch up the added nuts and add walnuts, pecans or almonds (or any other type of nut!) to the bars.
Mix-ins – Feel free to get creative with your mix-ins! Coconut would be a great addition.
Balls – If you’re a ball gal or guy, you can absolutely roll them into protein balls — or better yet, try my protein balls!
How to Store Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
These bars are perfect for your weekly meal prep. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week or store in the freezer for up to 1-2 months for a quick on the go protein snack.
Benefits of Medjool Dates
Medjool dates are healthy! They contain natural sugar, but they have a low/medium glycemic index score because they also contain a good amount of fiber, which slows the release of the carbohydrates and gives you sustained energy rather spiking your blood sugar crazy high. They’re also low in fat and packed with nutrients like potassium (50% more potassium by weight than a banana), copper, magnesium, vitamin B6, niacin, calcium, iron and vitamin K.
If you try these homemade protein bars please be sure to let me know how they turn out by leaving a comment and star rating on the recipe. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other readers.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
5 from 6 votes
Homemade peanut butter chocolate protein bars created in honor of my beloved RXBAR. They pack the same amount of flavor and they’re so easy to make. Yes!
1/2cupegg white protein powder, collagen and vegan protein powders work too
2Tablespoonscocoa powder
1/4teaspoonsea salt, if peanuts are salted, leave this out
1-3Tablespoonsof water, if needed
2Tablespoonsdark chocolate chunks or chips
Instructions
Prep your pan: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mix ingredients: Add dates, peanuts, protein powder, cocoa powder and sea salt into the base of your food processor. Process until everything is combined and peanuts are broken down into tiny bits.
Assess your mix: At this point the mixture might be sticking together well and forming a ball of dough. If so, great! If not, it may be dry and not really sticking together (it will depend on how moist your dates were). If this is the case you’ll want to add a little water. Add 1 Tablespoon, run the food processor and see if the mixture starts holding together. If not, add another tablespoon and blend again. You’ll likely only need to add 1-3 Tablespoons of water.
Transfer mixture: Once the mixture is holding together, transfer into the loaf pan lined with parchment. Fold the parchment over top and press the mixture evenly into the pan.
Add remaining ingredients: Once even, add chocolate chunks and press those into the top of the mixture as well.
Let cool: Place the mixture in the fridge to harden up (about 30 mins to 1 hour) before removing from pan and cutting into 5 bars.
Store: Store bars in fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Nuts – allergic to peanuts or prefer a different nut switch up the added nuts and add walnuts, pecans or almonds (or any other type of nut!) to the bars.Mix-ins – feel free to get creative with your mix-ins! Coconut would be a great addition.Balls – if you’re a ball gal or guy, you can absolutely roll them into protein balls — or better yet, try my protein balls!
Brittany,
Thank you for responding to my question about subbing dried plumbs for dates and peanut butter powder in place of protein powder.
The bars were great!!
So glad I made a double batch.
The texture was perfect, even out of the fridge.
The bars weren’t too sweet as I used craisins rather than chocolate chips on top(think peanut butter and jelly).
Next batch I want to use dark chocolate chips.
Can’t wait!
Can I use peanut butter powder in place of the protein powder?
Also, I have used dried plums (prunes) in place of dates in several similar recipes and the texture was perfect. Do you think the flavor combo would work with these?
Hey Doreen – I haven’t tried dried prunes or peanut butter powder, so I’m not 100% sure how the recipe would turn out. I would imagine it’d be fine, but you’ll have to let me know if you try it and how they turn out!
Hey Karen, To ensure the freshness of these bars I recommend one week in the fridge. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them and pull them out to the fridge as needed. 🙂
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Brittany,
Thank you for responding to my question about subbing dried plumbs for dates and peanut butter powder in place of protein powder.
The bars were great!!
So glad I made a double batch.
The texture was perfect, even out of the fridge.
The bars weren’t too sweet as I used craisins rather than chocolate chips on top(think peanut butter and jelly).
Next batch I want to use dark chocolate chips.
Can’t wait!
Yay!! So glad these bars were a hit, Doreen! Thanks for making them and coming back to leave a review. I really appreciate it!
Can I use peanut butter powder in place of the protein powder?
Also, I have used dried plums (prunes) in place of dates in several similar recipes and the texture was perfect. Do you think the flavor combo would work with these?
Hey Doreen – I haven’t tried dried prunes or peanut butter powder, so I’m not 100% sure how the recipe would turn out. I would imagine it’d be fine, but you’ll have to let me know if you try it and how they turn out!
Would you recommend to add peanut butter into the recipe? If yes, how much to add?
Hey Michele – Are you looking to use peanut butter as a sub to something in the recipe?
How much of collagen and protein powder equivalents to 1/2 cup egg white protein powder (collagen and vegan protein powders work too)?
It would be the same amount – 1/2 cup. 🙂
I am wondering why they would only last a week. There are no ingredients in recipe that has short life span.
Hey Karen, To ensure the freshness of these bars I recommend one week in the fridge. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them and pull them out to the fridge as needed. 🙂