Peanut Butter Protein Bars

 Made with only 6 ingredients, these no-bake homemade peanut butter protein bars are the perfect high-protein snack! Whip them up today and you can enjoy a sweet high protein treat all week long.

While there are many protein bars on the market, not all protein bars are particularly nutritious or high in protein. Ironically, while many protein bars claim to be “high in protein”, they often have just as much, if not more, sugar than protein, which is exactly why making a homemade protein bar recipe is such a great option

INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these peanut butter protein bars:

• Peanut Butter: All-natural creamy peanut butter works best, I do not recommend using conventional peanut butter as the bars will be too crumbly.
• Protein Powder: Be sure to use an unflavored or vanilla-flavored protein powder. I used whey protein powder; however, you can use a plant-based protein powder if needed. If you’re unsure of what type to use, learn how to choose the best protein powder for your goals.
• Oat Flour: To help form the dough, bind the bites, and improve the texture.
• Honey: To sweeten the bars and ensure they stick together. If you don’t like honey, you can use maple syrup or another liquid sweetener such as agave or brown rice syrup.
• Sea Salt: To season the bars and balance the flavors.
• Chocolate: Some dark chocolate chip or chopped dark chocolate to create a chocolate drizzle for the top of the bars. While I didn’t include any, you can also fold some mini chocolate chips into the protein bars if you want them extra chocolaty.

These peanut butter protein bars have a texture similar to Quest Bars or Perfect Bars and taste like peanut butter cookie dough.

Storage

To Store: Place the sliced bars in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. These bars should not be stored at room temperature for long periods of time.

To Freeze: Transfer the bars to an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to thaw the bars before eating.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups creamy natural peanut butter
• 1 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder, or unflavored
• 1/4 cup oat flour*
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

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Instructions

1. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, add the peanut butter, protein powder, oat flour (see note below), honey, and sea salt, and mix, using a spatula or your hands, until well combined and a sticky batter forms. The mixture may still be a little crumbly, but be sticky enough that it holds together when pressed together with your hand. If your mixture is too dry, add a couple more spoonfuls of peanut butter and/or honey until it begins to hold.
3. Transfer the peanut butter mixture to the baking pan, spreading it out evenly, and pressing it into the bottom of the dish with your hands and/or a silicone spatula. Continue pressing it until the top of the peanut butter mixture is firm, smooth, and a little glossy.
4. Once pressed into the dish, transfer the baking pan to the fridge for 30 minutes to set and firm up.
5. Once complete, remove the baking pan from the fridge and, using the parchment paper, remove the mixture from the baking pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Using a large, sharp knife, slice the mixture into 10 evenly shaped bars.
6. In a small microwave-safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and coconut oil and then warm in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth, and then drizzle the top of each bar with melted chocolate.
7. Transfer the bars back to the fridge, directly on the cutting board, for 10 minutes or until the chocolate has solidified.
8. The bars can be enjoyed immediately or stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Oat Flour: If you don’t have oat flour, you can make your own by grinding 1/4 cup of rolled oats in a food processor until a fine flour-like texture forms.

Peanut Butter: Be sure to use all-natural, creamy peanut butter. Conventional peanut butter, such as Skippy, Jif, or Kraft, won’t work as well and will leave you with crumbly bars.

Protein Powder: I recommend using whey protein isolate powder for the best results, as it blends into the peanut butter more easily and creates a smoother texture. Although plant-based protein powder will work, it may create a slightly grittier and crumblier texture.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 318 calories
• Sugar: 10 grams
• Fat: 20 grams
• Carbohydrates: 19 grams
• Protein: 20 grams

Đăng bởi quangtien30 lúc lúc April 06, 2024 0 bình luận