5 Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Breakfast, Granola, Snacks 66

5 Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars take less than 10 minutes to make and are gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

Hello hello! Did you guys have a good weekend?

The weather here was too beautiful to be inside so we actually went out and did stuff this weekend like normal people. We went to the garden store to buy herb boxes, fresh herbs and a few tomato plants, then we ventured to another store in Berkeley for a kombucha starter kit so that I can start brewing my own ‘buch!

I’m just waiting for a glass container that I ordered online to come in the mail and then IT IS ON.

Although, I’m not going to lie, I’m a bit worried that once I see “the mother” I’m gonna chicken out and not be able drink it. I just have to keep reminding myself that it’s good bacteria, right? Even if it looks like a big disgusting loogie.

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

Moving on to more attractive topics…let’s talk about protein bars!

This is officially my go-to recipe for making them at home. They are so ridiculously easy to make that now it just seems kind of silly to buy them from the store. Plus I love that you can customize them with your preferred protein source and whatever flavors or add-ins you like.

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

My personal favorite is hemp protein mixed with honey, chocolate and peanut butter. The flavors are so good together that I end up snacking on these bars all throughout the day! I’ll steal a little bite for breakfast, after lunch, and sometimes even after dinner. I might have to start limiting myself.

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To make them, all you have to do is melt the honey (or brown rice syrup) in a saucepan with whatever nut butter you choose, add-in the rice cereal, protein powder and chopped nuts or seeds (if using) and stir together.

Then if you’re using chocolate, add that in last and be sure it’s frozen prior so that it resists melting when you stir it together. You can also use dried fruit instead if chocolate’s not your thing.

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

After it’s all combined, transfer the mixture to a lined baking dish and use your hands to firmly press it down until the surface is nice and smooth. Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.

Once they’re set, remove them from the dish, cut them into 12 separate bars and that’s it! They’re good to go.

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

I hope you guys enjoy this one! If you make it, please let me know how it turned out in the comments or by sharing a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #makingthymeforhealth so I can find it. Your feedback is what keeps me going! :)

5 Ingredient No-Bake Protein Bars | less than 10 minutes to make, gluten-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free!

5 Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Yield: 12 bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients:

  • 3 cups brown rice cereal (or rolled oats)
  • 1/2 cup honey (or brown rice syrup)
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter*
  • 1/4 cup protein powder of choice (I used hemp protein)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (chilled in freezer)**
  • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)***

Directions:

Line an 8 x 8” square dish with parchment paper and set aside.

Next combine the honey and nut butter in a small saucepan over low heat and stir together. Cook for a few minutes until they are melted and thoroughly combined then remove from heat and set aside.

Add the brown rice cereal, chopped nuts, and protein powder to the saucepan and stir everything together until well-combined. Lastly, add the frozen chocolate chips (this helps keep them from completely melting) and stir a few times.

Transfer the mixture to the lined baking dish and then place another piece of parchment paper on top. Use your hands to smooth the mixture down into the dish, pressing firmly until the surface is as even as possible. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. Alternatively, you can freeze them for 1-2 hours.

Once the mixture has set, use the parchment paper to lift it out and place on a surface for cutting. Use a large knife to cut it into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container on the counter or refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

**you can substitute almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter

***you can substitute dried fruit like cranberries or raisins

***you can substitute extra 1/2 cup rice cereal, oats, other chopped nuts, or seed of choice

Note: add a pinch of salt if using unsalted nut butter

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out by leaving a comment below or sharing a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #makingthymeforhealth. I love hearing your feedback! heart

by Sarah on May 4, 2015  //  Breakfast, Granola, Snacks
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