Say hello to my current and your soon to be, new fave snack obsession . . . No bake choc chip peanut butter protein bars – aka a perfect bar copy cat!!!!
If you follow along on Instagram you may recall that earlier this year spunky husband took me on a surprise vaycay to my home away from home, my beloved happy place, Denver, Colorado. While we were there, we were reunited with one of our fave snacks of all time. The choc chip peanut butter perfect bar! It has been 5 years since we last got to have one and honestly, I had forgotten how incredible they are. If you’re lucky enough to have had the life changing deliciousness that is the choc chip peanut butter perfect bar you already know how amazing they are and how gripping the obsession can be.
They are truly all kinds of incredible, I’m talking dangerously addictive . . . or is it addicting?! I can never decide . . . anyway . . . we were well and truly obsessed . . .
So, when we returned home to the land where perfect bars do not exist *waahhhh* (and the withdrawal had kicked in) my mission was clear . . . a copy cat version must be created. And, well, I don’t want to toot my own horn or anything but (after a few failed attempts) I absolutely nailed it!
These choc chip peanut butter protein bars are just as good, if not, dare I say?! , better than the original . . . the taste, the texture (not the mention the super budget friendly price point) exceeded all of my expectations! They really are well, perfect.
They taste like your eating straight up dessert (think peanut butter cups but in bar form!) and are without question the perfect snack to keep you (and your belly) happy, thriving & crushing your to-do list, all week long!
Made with just a handful of simple, real food ingredients that I bet you have on hand already and come together in one bowl with one spoon (no baking required!!!) and can be ready to devour in just a matter of minutes!
Super simple, I N S A N E L Y delicious and get bonus points in my book because they also happen to be secretly good for you! Im talking gluten free, dairy free, grain free, sugar free, low carb, paleo, keto & 100% vegan friendly – not that anyone would know. I mean, did you hear me up there . . . secretly healthy dark chocolate peanut butter cups but in bar form?! hello deliciousness!!!!!! And yes, all the exclamation points are 100% required plus maybe a few more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, I don’t know what more there is to tell you . . .
1 bowl + 7 ingredients & 15 mins . . . stop what you’re doing, this needs to happen now . . .
From my dark chocolate nut butter loving heart to yours, enjoy xo
{Sugar Free} Choc Chip Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Difficulty: Easy
- Ingredients
- 1/4 C (30g) protein powder – I use Macro Mike’s vanilla buttercream almond protein or the caramelized white choc *
- 3/4 C (100G) almond flour
- 1 Tbsp monk fruit sweetener**
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice – opt but SO good!
- 2/3 C (85G) smooth peanut butter (the natural kind – just peanuts & salt)***
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup – I use sugar free/monk fruit maple
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1-2 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk – or water – just enough to bring the “dough” together
- Dark choc – chips or chopped – measure with your heart
- A pinch of flakey sea salt
- Instructions
- Line a small square baking dish (I used a 5 x 5 inch) or loaf pan with baking/parchment and set aside.
- Place all ingredients (except for the chocolate & milk / water) in to a medium size bowl and stir until well combined.
- add milk or water 1 tsp at a time (as needed) just enough to bring the dough together.
- Press dough into your prepared baking dish or loaf pan and flatten with silicone spatula, spoon or even just your hands pressing down in a nice even layer & making sure its smoothed all the way to the edges.
- Add chocolate chips + sea salt the press again to make sure they hold firm into the top of the dough.
- Place in freezer for 15-20 mins to set
- Once set, cut into bars and they’re ready to go!
- Store in airtight container in the fridge.
- Enjoy xo
* I big puffy heart LOVE Macro Mike plant based almond protein powder (have not tested any other brand in this recipe). Its gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, boosted with probiotics & truly tastes all kinds of incredible. Its hands down without question the smoothest, most delicious, elite tasting protein powder (plant based/dairy free or otherwise!!) I have ever tried. And I have tried A LOT!
** technically optional but it really does elevate the flavour of the bars (and your life by extension)! I use this golden blend which adds a hint of caramel like regular brown sugar does. It’s truly magical & 100% worth it! but regular monk fruit or your preferred granulated sweetener will work just fine too xo
*** can sub almond butter but will change the taste slightly. Still delicious just not as punchy or peanut buttery (obvs)
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Question of the day –
What’s your favourite on the go snack? A girl can never have too many options! LMK
Feel free to share recipes, or links to your fave recipes in the comments below or on the Facebook page and please for the love of all that is good in this world when you do make your choc chip peanut butter protein bars aka – a perfect bar copycat (or any of the recipes you find on this blog of mine) don’t forget to take a pic and share it either on the Facebook page, or you can just tag me on Instagram ( I’m @emsswanston ). Sharing is caring remember and it makes my heart so happy to see you re-creating and enjoying my recipes. Truly brings me so much joy! ♥
Do it, do it You know you want to
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