The perfect sweet treat with a protein-packed twist! These Reese’s-inspired chocolate peanut butter protein bars are a satisfying no-bake dessert you can prep in 10-minutes.
“Omg so good!! Tastes just like a reeses cup but way healthier and higher protein! Perfect afternoon snack or for after a workout.”
– Jazmyne’s 5-star review ⭐️
You’ll also love my no-bake trail mix bars and black bean brownie bites.
Recipe Highlights
- No oven needed: You’ll only need 6 ingredients and 10-minutes to make this tasty no-bake recipe.
- No protein powder taste: They taste like a candy bar, not a chalky protein bar.
- Nutritionally balanced: Each bar packs 10 grams of protein and 3 grams of dietary fiber to keep you full and fuelled.
- Sweet, salty, and delicious: With peanut butter, maple syrup, and just the right amount of salt, you’ll get the perfect sweet-and-salty balance in every bite.
Ingredient Notes And Substitutions
- Natural peanut butter: It’s essential that you use natural peanut butter with peanuts as the only ingredient. And make sure it’s fresh and runny – old or super thick peanut butter will make for dry bars. You can substitute almond butter or other nut and seed butters.
- Vanilla protein powder: My favorite flavored protein powder is the vanilla whey powder by Leanfit (I get this from Costco Canada), and I also love Legion. You can use any vanilla protein powder you like – but make sure it’s smooth and tasty.
- Chocolate chips: I use regular semi-sweet chocolate chips, but feel free to swap in low- or no-sugar chocolate chips to keep these bars blood sugar friendly.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and detailed recipe.
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Step 1: Stir your dough in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Press dough into a parchment-lined loaf pan.
Step 3: Top with melted chocolate and flakey salt.
Step 4: Chill, slice, and store!
How To Store
Chill for at least an hour before slicing into 8-10 bars. Keep them stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Explore more healthy desserts, high-protein recipes, and high-fiber recipes.
Dietary swaps
- Make this dairy-free by using plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Try peanut-free bars by swapping peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or any nut or seed butter.
Tips For Perfect Protein Bars
- Use runny peanut butter. Natural peanut butter can dry out – and if you use dry peanut butter, you’ll have dry bars. Make sure your natural peanut butter is fresh and runny.
- Find a tasty protein powder. The recipe doesn’t use a lot of protein powder, but you will taste it. Skip chalky protein powders and find one that’s smooth and tasty. Leanfit Vanilla Whey or Legion Whey+ in French Vanilla are my favorites.
- Use ground flaxseeds, not whole. This is essential for a smooth bar that tastes just like Reese’s candies.
- Don’t skip the flakey salt. This adds some nice texture and the perfect balance of sweet-and-salty flavors. I use Maldon sea salt flakes.
More Healthy Dessert Recipes
Need more nutritious dessert ideas? Here are my favorites:
- Chocolate Banana Muffins
- High-Protein Dunkaroo Dip
- Cookie Dough Protein Balls
- Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars
- Cottage Cheese Banana Bread
If you tried these Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars, leave a ⭐️ star rating and comment below! And don’t forget to share a pic to Instagram!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Equipment
- small microwave-safe bowl
Ingredients
Dough
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter, make sure it’s fresh and runny
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder, spooned and levelled
- ¼ cup peanut powder, spooned and levelled
- ¼ cup ground golden flaxseed, spooned and levelled
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp salt
Chocolate Topping
- ⅓ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- pinch flakey sea salt, optional
Instructions
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- To your large mixing bowl, add all ingredients for the dough. Mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until well combined. The texture should resemble a thick cookie dough, easily forming a ball when pressed together.
- Transfer dough to the lined loaf pan. Use a spatula to firmly spread the dough to the edges and press it down into the pan. You’re aiming for an even and flat layer.
- In a microwave-safe dish, microwave chocolate chips in 15-second intervals until smooth, stirring in between.
- Pour melted chocolate over the dough. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to spread evenly over the dough.
- Top with a generous pinch of flakey salt. Transfer to the fridge and chill for at least an hour.
- Remove the parchment paper and protein bars from the fridge, and slice into 8-10 bars. Keep stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to two weeks, and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure your peanut butter is fresh and runny.
- The reason we spoon and level dry ingredients is to avoid using too much. It’s easy to over-measure these if you’re scooping right out of the bag with your measuring cup.
- Nutrition information is calculated for 1/10 bars.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could I substitute honey for the maple syrup?
yes!
darn, i accidentally bought light smooth peanut butter. how can i tweak this for recipe? also is loaf pan 8×4? tks
Oh shoot!! Because the recipe calls for runny natural peanut butter, my concern would be that you may dry things out. I’d start with less of the dry ingredients, and add slowly until you have a thick cookie dough consistency.
Hi! Just wondering how many “servings” each batch is? I want to make sure I cut them according to the nutritional info. Thank you so much!!!
10 bars! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Omg so good!! Tastes just like a reeses cup but way healthier and higher protien! Perfect afternoon snack or for after a workout 🙂
So yummy and easy to make! My boys loved them!