An easy 3 ingredient peanut butter protein bar recipe that is made with just protein powder, peanut butter and dark chocolate.
I love making delicious high protein snacks or high protein desserts that can be enjoyed at any time of day. I especially love making recipes with protein powder! You should definitely check out some of my other favourite protein powder recipes such was my 4 ingredient protein granola, chocolate blueberry chia pudding, flourless protein powder brownies, and my protein powder pancakes. All my recipes are vegan and mostly gluten free too!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These 3 ingredient protein bars taste like a famous peanut cookie that is made here in Malaysia. Its a dry and crumbly flavour, almost like shortbread but with a peanut flavour. it's not for everyone, but for those that love it (like me), it's really good!
However, unlike the famous peanut cookies, this recipe has no added sugar! I love that recipes like this one can be enjoyed as dessert, an afternoon snack or as a quick energy snack before a workout (this is my favourite way to enjoy these!)
When it comes to protein bars, there are countless options available in stores. However, making your own homemade bars offers a range of benefits. First and foremost, you have complete control over the ingredients you use. This means you can avoid any artificial additives, preservatives, or excessive sugars commonly found in commercial protein bars.
By making your own bars, you can also save money in the long run. Store-bought protein bars can be quite expensive, especially if you consume them regularly. Making your own allows you to customize your bars to your liking while also saving a substantial amount of money.
Additionally, homemade protein bars can be tailored to your specific dietary needs and taste preferences. Whether you have dietary restrictions or simply want to experiment with different flavors and textures, making your own bars gives you the freedom to do so. You can choose the type and brand of protein powder, select your favorite nut butter, and even add your preferred mix-ins for added variety.
Overall, homemade protein bars are a convenient and cost-effective way to ensure you're getting the nutrients you need, without compromising on taste or quality.
The Importance of Using Quality Ingredients
When making this recipe, the quality of ingredients can greatly impact the final result. It is really important to use a super creamy (preferably all natural) peanut butter. The consisteny needs to be runny and super sticky for it to work. This is why I recommend uses peanut butter made with 100% peanuts only (added salt is okay). If you are using a peanut butter with no added salt, you may need to add a pinch of salt to this recipe.
Choosing a high-quality protein powder that is extremely delicious is equally as important. The protein powder I use for this recipe is a vegan vanilla almond protein powder. I find it so tasty that I could just eat the powder. Find a protein powder that you also love this much!
Lastly, choose a dark chocolate that easily melts for the top layer. I use a very thin layer but you can increase the thickness if you prefer more chocolate.
By using quality ingredients, you can create protein bars that are not only delicious but also nourishing for your body.
The Three Essential Ingredients for Peanut Butter Protein Bars
To make these 3-ingredient peanut butter protein bars, you will need the following:
- ½ cup of vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup of peanut butter
- ¼ cup of dark chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Bars
To make these 3 ingredient peanut butter protein bars:
- Start by lining a baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will make it easier to remove the bars once they are set.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the vanilla protein powder and peanut butter. Using a spatula or your hands, mix the ingredients until well combined and a thick dough-like consistency is formed. The dough should hold together when pressed but still be slightly sticky.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly and evenly using your hands or the back of a spoon. Make sure to spread the dough out to the edges of the dish to create a uniform thickness.
- Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler. Stir the chocolate until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the pressed dough and spread it evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the bars with the chocolate layer.
- Place the baking dish in the refrigerator or freezer to allow the bars to set. This usually takes around 1-2 hours in the refrigerator or 30-60 minutes in the freezer.
- Once the bars are firm and set, remove them from the baking dish by lifting the edges of the parchment paper or foil. Place the bars on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice them into individual bars or squares.
- Store the peanut butter protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer.
- Enjoy them as a quick snack or a post-workout treat whenever you need a boost of energy!
By following these simple steps, you can easily create your own batch of homemade peanut butter protein bars.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe to Your Taste
While this 3-ingredient peanut butter protein bar recipe is already delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different flavors of protein powder to change up the taste of your bars. Vanilla, chocolate, or even cookies and cream are all great options. You can also try using a different nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter.
- Mix-Ins: Get creative with your mix-ins to add texture and flavor to the bars. Consider adding chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even shredded coconut. For a touch of sweetness, try mixing in some mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs.
- Sweeteners: If you prefer a sweeter bar, you can add a few tablespoons of maple syrup to the mixture. Alternatively, you can use other natural sweeteners like honey or agave nectar. Just be mindful that the bars need to remain sticky to maintain the dough like texture.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips or more for a thicker chocolate layer
Instructions
- Start by lining a baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will make it easier to remove the bars once they are set.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the vanilla protein powder and peanut butter. Using a spatula or your hands, mix the ingredients until well combined and a thick dough-like consistency is formed. The dough should hold together when pressed but still be slightly sticky.
- Transfer the dough to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly and evenly using your hands or the back of a spoon. Make sure to spread the dough out to the edges of the dish to create a uniform thickness.
- Melt the dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler. Stir the chocolate until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the pressed dough and spread it evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Make sure to cover the entire surface of the bars with the chocolate layer.
- Place the baking dish in the refrigerator or freezer to allow the bars to set. This usually takes around 1-2 hours in the refrigerator or 30-60 minutes in the freezer.
- Once the bars are firm and set, remove them from the baking dish by lifting the edges of the parchment paper or foil. Place the bars on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice them into individual bars or squares.
- Store the peanut butter protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer.
- Enjoy them as a quick snack or a post-workout treat whenever you need a boost of energy!
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