Protein Granola Bars Recipe

Introduction

These protein granola bars are a nutritious and delicious snack perfect for on-the-go energy. Made with natural peanut butter, honey, and protein powder, they combine simple ingredients into a wholesome treat.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter (peanuts and salt only)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3/4 cup vanilla protein powder
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until runny. About 30 seconds if at room temperature, or up to 60 seconds if refrigerated.
2. Step 2: Transfer the melted peanut butter to a mixing bowl.
3. Step 3: Stir in the honey, vanilla protein powder, oats, and salt until well combined using a rubber spatula. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it is no longer warm to prevent melting the chocolate chips.
4. Step 4: Fold the mini chocolate chips into the mixture gently.
5. Step 5: Line an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
6. Step 6: Press the granola bar batter evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Step 7: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Cut into 12 bars before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free option, substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
• Add chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
• Use your favorite protein powder flavor to customize the bars.
• Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the bars for up to 3 months and thaw before eating. These bars are best eaten chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, but the texture will be a bit chunkier and the bars may be less uniform in texture.

What can I use instead of honey?

Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as a substitute, but the texture may be slightly softer.

Protein Granola Bars Recipe

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5 from 87 reviews

These Protein Granola Bars are a nutritious and delicious snack perfect for on-the-go energy. Made with creamy natural peanut butter, honey, vanilla protein powder, rolled oats, and mini chocolate chips, they are easy to prepare with no baking required. Ideal for a quick protein boost, these bars offer a great balance of sweet and savory flavors with a chewy texture.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour (chilling time)
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter (ingredients: peanuts and salt only)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3/4 cup vanilla protein powder
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Melt Peanut Butter: Place the natural creamy peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until it becomes runny. This usually takes about 30 seconds if freshly opened and at room temperature, or up to 60 seconds if refrigerated.
2. Combine Ingredients: Transfer the melted peanut butter to a mixing bowl. Stir in the honey, vanilla protein powder, rolled oats, and salt using a rubber spatula until all ingredients are fully combined.
3. Rest Mixture: Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes so it cools down and is no longer warm. This step prevents the chocolate chips from melting when added.
4. Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the granola bar batter to evenly distribute them.
5. Prepare Pan: Line an 8 by 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make it easy to remove the bars later.
6. Press Batter: Evenly press the batter into the lined baking dish, smoothing the top to ensure uniform thickness.
7. Chill and Set: Refrigerate the protein granola bars for at least 1 hour, or until firm. Once set, cut the mixture into 12 bars of equal size for serving.

Notes

• Use natural peanut butter with no added sugars or oils for the best health benefits.
• If preferred, substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan alternative (note protein powder must also be vegan).
• Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• For a nut-free version, almond butter or sunflower seed butter can be used instead of peanut butter.
• Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together well after chilling.

Keywords: protein granola bars, no bake granola bars, healthy snack, protein snack, peanut butter granola bars, homemade granola bars