No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Creamy peanut butter and chocolate protein bars that taste like candy yet are low carb, fiber and protein rich, and contain low-glycemic (unrefined) sweeteners. These will soon become your favorite meal prep snack.
Servings: 10 bars
Calories: 762kcal
Ingredients
Protein Bar Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 ½ cups protein powder I like Hydrolyzed beef protein AI Paleo by Rootcology
- 2 cups peanut butter creamy/smooth
- ½ cup maple syrup
Carob Coating Ingredient:
- 1 cup palm shortening coconut oil works, too
- 1 cup coconut butter not oil or cacao bar
- ¼ cup evaporated cane sugar /maple sugar/coconut sugar
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder or carob powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt leave out if adding flake salt for garnish
Instructions
- Get ready. Use silicone bar mold or line a glass Tupperware or baking dish with parchment paper and set aside. For thicker bars, use an 8 x 8-inch pan. For thinner bars or bark, use any size bigger.
- Whisk the protein powder with the coconut flour. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the coconut flour and protein powder.
- Melt the peanut butter with the maple syrup. In a small pot over low heat, melt the peanut butter with the maple syrup until you can stir until smooth.
- Combine the wet and dry mixtures. Use a spatula to combine the dry and wet mixtures to form a very thick, sticky, smooth paste.*Troubleshooting: If the mixture seems dry and crumbly (it should be moist, sticky, and very thick) then you need to add more liquids, try 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 tablespoon avocado oil (or coconut oil) until you reach the desired texture. IF you mixture is too wet, consider adding more protein powder.
- Press protein paste into prepared container. Transfer the protein bar paste into the prepared pan and press firmly in place. Refrigerate or freeze until firm.
- After the bars are firm, it's time to make the chocolate mixture. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the palm shortening and coconut butter.
- Add the sugar (coconut sugar/maple sugar/cane sugar) and stir frequently to distribute evenly (remember, coconut sugar will not completely dissolve). To avoid scorching, remove promptly from the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder, vanilla, and sea salt.
- Working rather quickly, make the bars! You should get 8 large bars or 10 to 12 smaller ones.
- Easy Way: Drizzle the chocolate coating over the top of the protein and refrigerate. Once set, use a knife to shape into squares or bars.
- Hard Way: Cut into bars first and dip the protein bar into the chocolate mixture to cover.
- Refrigerate to allow the shell to harden. Serve when chocolate coating is firm and set.
Nutrition
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 762kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 59g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 480mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 3mg