These no-bake chocolate peanut butter whey protein bars are chewy fridge snacks made with oats and cocoa. They are a substantial snack, not a shelf-stable packaged bar.
Tips for chocolate peanut butter whey protein bars
Contains milk, peanuts and oats; whey may also contain soy. Whey brand and grind affect texture. Plan 2 hours chilling in addition to prep. No chocolate coating included.
Helpful equipment: A kitchen scale can help divide the finished batch into eight similar portions. Compare digital kitchen scale on Amazon. Use what you already have if it does the job.
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No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Whey Protein Bars
Equipment
- 1 8-inch square pan, parchment, mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 6 scoops vanilla whey protein powder Use six level scoops from a product labeled 31 g per scoop; scoop sizes vary by brand.
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, ready-to-eat, finely ground Measure whole oats before grinding.
- 2/3 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey
- 7 Tbsp water, plus up to 2 Tbsp if needed
- 1/8 tsp table salt
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment. Use ready-to-eat oats, not raw flour. Stir whey, ground oats, cocoa and salt in a large bowl.
- Warm peanut butter and honey in a microwave-safe bowl for 15–20 seconds just to loosen. Stir into the dry mixture with 7 Tbsp water. Knead with a spoon or clean hands until it holds together. Add plain water 1 tsp at a time, up to 2 Tbsp extra, only if crumbly.
- Press very firmly into the lined pan with a second sheet of parchment. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm enough to cut.
- Lift out and cut into eight equal bars. Cut a 2-by-4 grid for even portions. Keep cold; texture will be softer than a store-bought bar.
Notes
Storage and meal prep
Keep individually wrapped in the refrigerator at 40°F or below and use within 4 days. Freeze a trial bar for up to 2 months for quality; thaw in the refrigerator. Keep cold when packing. These homemade hydrated bars are not shelf stable.
Ingredient notes
Whey and nut-butter brands change both texture and nutrition. Use the scoop size specified in the card and check your protein powder label. Extra plain water changes firmness but not the listed nutrients. These bars are a snack portion; no coating or extra toppings are counted.
About the nutrition
One serving is one of 8 equal portions of the whole batch. Nutrition is an estimate based on the listed ingredient assumptions. Finished yield has not been weighed or measured. This development recipe has not been personally cooked or kitchen tested.