Super easy no-bake chocolate peanut butter protein bars

This recipe for chocolate peanut butter protein bars is sponsored by Premier Protein. 

Today, I’ve got for you a recipe for super easy no-bake protein bars you can make in no time, using simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. (I did!) While most of you know that I’m pretty much a “convenience wins out” type of gal, who usually prefers to buy healthy things that are already done for me, sometimes I do like to take a minute to throw together my own creations.

This past weekend, I had a little free time, so I decided to head into the kitchen and see if I could whip up a tasty and protein-filled bar with what I already had available in my pantry. And lo and behold, I did it! The feedback I got from Dave after trying these bars was, “Wow, those are tasty. I want something to wash them down with.” I think that means these bars are a winner. (I already thought so from my personal taste test!)

The ingredients are clean and simple and combine to make a deliciously flavorful bar. And because of the added whey protein powder from Premier Protein, as well as chia seeds and nut butter, these babies are full of good-for-you protein to keep you full and help your muscles recover.

You can use any type of nut butter that you want, but I’d suggest one that is a little runny, because the liquid helps to bind all of the other ingredients together. You can also use any type of protein powder that you want. I chose Premier Protein Chocolate Milkshake because it has 30 grams of protein per serving, it has no artificial flavors and is gluten free. Oh and it tastes good! 

These bars would be perfect to eat about 30 minutes to an hour before a workout for plenty of energy and slow-burning fats, and they’d also be great for eating within 60 minutes after your workout for recovery. (By the way, based on my loose calculations, if you divide your mixture into 16 square bars, each bar has around 12 grams of protein and 150 calories, so 1 to 2 at a time would suffice for snacking and recovery.)

Ingredients:

2 cups of dry rolled oats
1/2 cup of runny nut butter (I used natural peanut butter)
3 tablespoons of chia seeds
1/2 cup of natural honey
1/8 cup of melted coconut oil
2/3 cup of chocolate protein powder
A sprinkle of salt

And the process is so easy …

Directions:

Mix together all of the ingredients in a big bowl. If you need to add a bit more liquid at the end because some of the powder is separating, toss in more honey or even a splash of non-dairy milk.

Line a 9 x 9 baking dish with wax or parchment paper. Lay the mixture out into the pan, then put another piece of wax or parchment paper on top and smash it all down for a flat surface.

Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour. Take out the pan and cut into 16 squares. Eat and enjoy. You should then refrigerate the leftovers in an air-tight container. And that’s it!

I’m all for finding your favorite clean-ingredient bars to grab on the go when you need it, but sometimes it’s also fun to get into the kitchen and D-I-Y, you know. If you make these bars, be sure to let me know. Post a picture and tag @aladygoeswest. 

Thanks to Premier Protein for sponsoring this post. You can check out the full line of Premier Protein products on the brand’s site — from protein powders (much like the Chocolate Milkshake one I used in this recipe), to ready-to-eat bars when you don’t have time to make your own and all the way to single-serve ready-to-drink protein cartons as well. 

And if you want to print this recipe to make later, here you go …

Happy eating, my friends! Have a fabulous week and seize the day!

Disclaimer: This recipe for chocolate peanut butter protein bars is sponsored by Premier Protein. I received free product and compensation, but all the opinions, words and pictures are my own. Thanks for supporting A Lady Goes West sponsors.

Questions of the day

How was your weekend? Do anything fun?

What’s something you like to make instead of buy?