These quick and easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bars are a perfect snack for a post-workout boost or a midday pick-me-up. Packed with protein and fiber from the peanut butter and oats, and a rich chocolate flavor, these fudgy and soft protein bars satisfy your cravings while keeping you full for longer. Enjoy them as a healthy treat to help with your weight loss and fitness goals.
Here's why I love this recipe
- Soft, chocolatey and so fudgy!
- No-bake and easy to prepare - only takes a few minutes to make!
- Only 5 Ingredients required
- high-protein and high-fiber, so it'll keep you fuller longer
- the best dessert alternative & post-workout snack
Ingredients used to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bars
**I've linked some of these ingredients to amazon.com to give you an idea of what they are, but you should also be able to find them in your local grocery store (usually, the natural & organic food section). They are also affiliate links, which means that I earn a commission as an Amazon Associate if you decide to purchase the items. The price will be the same for you, link or no link 🙂
- Protein Powder – You can use any protein powder for this recipe, but for this recipe I used a plant-based chocolate protein powder, like this one below. You can also use vanilla protein powder, too. Just add an extra teaspoon of cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter - The peanut butter works as a binder in this recipe and also gives the protein bars a nice boost of flavor as well as some protein and fiber. If you don't have peanut butter at home, not to worry! This recipe works just fine with other nut butters like almond butter or cashew butter.
- Cocoa powder - (OPTIONAL) the chocolate protein powder is enough for the chocolate flavor and color, but I like to add additional cocoa powder to boost the chocolate flavor and coloring. Feel free to omit if using chocolate protein powder!
- Oatmeal / Oat Flour - Oat flour is a whole grain flour that’s made out of rolled oats. You can buy from the store, or online, but it's easy to make your own oat flour by blitzing either old-fashioned (rolled) or quick-cooking oats in a blender (like how I made it below with my mini blender). If you want to keep this strictly gluten-free (some oats are produced in the same facility as wheat), be sure to buy the one with the GF label like this one.
- Almond Milk - I used unsweetened almond milk, but any milk (dairy or dairy free) works in this recipe. You can even use water.
More Protein Powder Recipes (HERE)
Step by Step
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bars
STEP 1
In a clean bowl, mix the dry ingredients: protein powder, oat flour and cocoa powder (can leave out if using chocolate protein powder)
STEP 2
Next, add in the puree and the milk, using your hands to knead and get the dough to combine together.
NOTE: Add more oat flour if the dough is too soft, add more of milk or water if the dough is too thick. TRY TO ADD A TEASPOON AT A TIME! The final dough should be firm, but soft enough that you can roll the dough into a ball without it falling apart.
STEP 3
For additional texture, you can add chopped nuts, dried fruit or chocolate chips into the dough if desired
STEP 4
Shape the protein dough into a rectangular mound, then wrap in plastic wrap or an airtight container lined with parchment, and let the dough set in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
STEP 5
Slice in to bars.
STEP 6
Enjoy!
Recipe Variations and Optional Add Ins:
- Feel free to experiment with natural flavoring / extracts. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract (I didn't feel like it was essential so I left it out in this recipe), or other flavorings or extracts, such as lemon extract or raspberry extract
Just keep in mind that some extracts contain alcohol, and since this is a no-bake recipe, the alcohol won't have a chance to fully evaporate. If serving this to kids, or if you're sensitive to alcohol, be sure to use non-alcoholic extracts or flavorings. Here are some non-alcoholic brands, here: Non-alcoholic peppermint extract, non-alcoholic vanilla extract
How to Make Protein Bars Healthier
- Make this even healthier by adding a handful of nuts, seeds and old-fashioned oats to add texture and nutrition. Even better, add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, or chia seeds.
How to Store
- You can keep the protein bars out at room temperature for 1-2 days but for maximum freshness and best texture, it's best to store these protein bars covered in the fridge. They'll be fresh for up to 5-7 days.
- These protein bars also freeze very well! Seal them inside an airtight container or Ziploc bag and freeze them in a single layer so that they don't stick together. I recommend double-bagging if you want to keep out the fridge smell. They can be frozen for up to 4 months.
Quick & Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Protein Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup chocolate protein powder (64g)* , can also use vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup oat flour (64g), read notes** on how to make at home
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder , can omit if using chocolate protein powder
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (128g) , can also use almond butter
- 5-6 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk , or milk of choice
Instructions
- In a clean bowl, mix the dry ingredients: protein powder, oat flour and cocoa powder
- Next, add in the peanut butter and the milk, using your hands to knead and get the dough to combine together.NOTE: Add more oat flour if the dough is too soft, add more milk if the dough is too thick. TRY TO ADD A TEASPOON AT A TIME! The final dough should be firm, but soft enough that you can roll the dough into a ball without it falling apart.
- Shape dough into a rectangular mound, then wrap in plastic wrap or an airtight container
- Let the dough set in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice into 5 bars.
- Enjoy!
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