Easy 5-Ingredient Protein Bars (Peanut Butter Chocolate!)
5-Ingredient Protein Bars that are rich in protein and incredibly delicious! Customizable depending on what protein powder you use. Just 20 minutes and 1 food processor required!
Servings 12 (Bars*)
Ingredients
PROTEIN BARS
- 1 ¼ cups creamy salted peanut butter (or sub almond, cashew, or sunflower)
- 5 medjool dates, pitted (add more for sweeter bars)*
- 2/3 cup hemp seeds
- 1/3 cup chia seeds (or sub other seeds, such as sesame or flax)
- 1/3-1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla, flavored, or chocolate — or other flavor of choice)*
FOR TOPPING optional
- 1/4 cup dairy-free dark chocolate, chopped (we like Enjoy Life, Theo, and Lily’s for a sugar-free option)
- 1/2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 Tbsp cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add peanut butter and pitted dates to a food processor and pulse a few times to incorporate. Then add hemp seeds, chia seeds, and protein powder and pulse until all ingredients are well combined and a cookie dough-like texture forms (see photo).
- If too wet, add more dry ingredients of choice, such as protein powder or hemp seeds. It too dry, moisten with a little more nut butter.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more protein powder of choice for flavor or more dates for sweetness (if adding more dates, chop first to encourage even blending). Mix again until well combined.
- Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper. Transfer mixture into the pan and spread with the back of a spoon, then use a flat-bottomed object (such as a drinking glass) to flatten into an evenly packed, flat layer.
- Transfer to the freezer to chill for at least 10-15 minutes to help the mixture firm up. The longer it freezes, the firmer it will become.
- Optional for topping: Melt dark chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler on the stovetop, or in 20-second increments in the microwave, stirring occasionally to encourage melting. Then drizzle over the top of bars (see photo). Top with cacao nibs for added texture (also optional).
- Once chilled, remove from freezer and cut into 12 even bars or squares.We recommend storing these in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer up to 1 month (freezer is best!). They are enjoyable straight out of the refrigerator or freezer and tend to soften at room temperature.
Video
Notes
*Photos above show mixture cut into 7 large protein bars. However, we recommend cutting into 12 bars or squares for a proper serving size / accurate nutrition information.
*To swap out dates you could try subbing maple syrup to taste (~1 Tbsp (15 ml) per 2 large dates), just adjust dry ingredients of choice to compensate for altered texture.
*The protein powder we used was Tropeaka Lean Vanilla Protein. Note: It does contain brown rice protein, so if you need to keep this recipe grain-free, ensure your protein powder is grain-free, such as Nuzest.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of protein powder and without optional ingredients.
*To swap out dates you could try subbing maple syrup to taste (~1 Tbsp (15 ml) per 2 large dates), just adjust dry ingredients of choice to compensate for altered texture.
*The protein powder we used was Tropeaka Lean Vanilla Protein. Note: It does contain brown rice protein, so if you need to keep this recipe grain-free, ensure your protein powder is grain-free, such as Nuzest.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of protein powder and without optional ingredients.
Nutrition (1 of 12 servings)
Serving: 1 bars Calories: 276 Carbohydrates: 16.7 g Protein: 14.1 g Fat: 19.4 g Saturated Fat: 2.3 g Sodium: 104 mg Potassium: 195 mg Fiber: 5.4 g Sugar: 7.9 g