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 go through phases of grabbing certain snacks to keep in my gym bag — sometimes it’s protein powder to simply shake up with water, other times it’s been protein bars or energy bites. 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 love the ingredient list, and they were actually a satisfying snack for me — especially after a workout.
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.
Technically these are bars, but if you’re a ball gal or guy, you can absolutely roll them into protein balls — or better yet, try my protein balls!
I can’t wait to hear if you take on the challenge of creating your own protein bars. I promise it’s worth it!
Love these protein bars? You’ll like these recipes too:
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.
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!
Ingredients
10 pitted medjool dates
1/2 cup peanuts
1/2 cup egg white protein powder (collagen and vegan protein powders work too)
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (if peanuts are salted, leave this out)
1–3 Tablespoons of water (if needed)
2 Tablespoons dark chocolate chunks or chips
Instructions
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. 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.
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.
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. Once even, add chocolate chunks and press those into the top of the mixture as well.
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 bars in fridge for up to 1 week. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
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. 🙂
Hey Madalyn – The dates are a big component to this recipe, so I don’t recommend swapping them with anything else. If you’re looking for a protein snack that doesn’t have dates you could try my protein balls or these cinnamon raisin protein cookies . 🙂
I haven’t tried it with powdered peanut butter so I’m not sure how much you’d need to use or if it would make it too try. If you experiment with it, let me know!! 🙂
I’ve been on the collagen train lately (I’m not sure if I’m noticing a difference yet, but, like you said, it can’t hurt and it gives me a protein boost so why not), so I was about to comment and ask if collagen powder would work in this recipe when I saw that you had already addressed my question. Like you, I’ve been trying to make more of my own snacks and bars for pre- and post-workout and these look fantastic. I can’t wait to try them!
Yes, one thing to note with using collagen protein powder is to make sure your dates are fresh and not dry because it’s better if you don’t need to add water. If you do add water, the mixture gets super duper sticky.
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Leave a Comment
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. 🙂
These were SO good and easy.
I’ve loved all of your recipes – thanks so much.
I’m allergic to dates. What can I use instead?
Hey Madalyn – The dates are a big component to this recipe, so I don’t recommend swapping them with anything else. If you’re looking for a protein snack that doesn’t have dates you could try my protein balls or these cinnamon raisin protein cookies . 🙂
Can you freeze these?
Hey Sarah – Yes, you can totally freeze these. 🙂
I didn’t have peanuts in my cupboard so I replaced these with almonds. It worked and tasted delicious as well.
★★★★★
Could you substitute other types of nuts, almonds, for example, in place of the peanuts?
I just made using walnuts
I like these MORE then the expensive ones I buy….will be making over and over.
★★★★★
Can these bars go without refrigeration for traveling, taking on an airplane?
Totally!
Hello from Romania! I love your recipes!❤ Can i use oats instead of protein powder?
Hi Elena. I haven’t tried using oats instead of the protein powder, but it should work! Let me know if you try it. 🙂
Happy birthday! I have made at home versions of the Chocolate Coconut and the Blueberry RX Bars before but not this variety, looks great!
Would you please share your recipe for the blueberry bars? These are my husbands and they are so hard to find in the town i I’ve in
Could you sub powdered peanut butter in place of the peanuts ? Thanks!
I haven’t tried it with powdered peanut butter so I’m not sure how much you’d need to use or if it would make it too try. If you experiment with it, let me know!! 🙂
I love RX Bars and have always wanted to try making my own. These sound delicious. Happy Birthday!
By “cocoa powder” I’m assuming you mean a powder that is just cocoa with no added sugars, correct? Like Navitas?
Yes!
I’ve been on the collagen train lately (I’m not sure if I’m noticing a difference yet, but, like you said, it can’t hurt and it gives me a protein boost so why not), so I was about to comment and ask if collagen powder would work in this recipe when I saw that you had already addressed my question. Like you, I’ve been trying to make more of my own snacks and bars for pre- and post-workout and these look fantastic. I can’t wait to try them!
Yes, one thing to note with using collagen protein powder is to make sure your dates are fresh and not dry because it’s better if you don’t need to add water. If you do add water, the mixture gets super duper sticky.
Thanks for the tip!