These homemade oatmeal and peanut butter chocolate protein bars are easy to make and are a gluten-free treat. They are packed with flavor from the creamy peanut butter and chocolate topping and have an extra boost of protein from vanilla protein powder. You can enjoy these protein bars for a tasty snack or dessert!
I feel like you can never have enough snacks around the house, especially with little kids! And when the snacks have a little extra protein, it makes them even better! These tried-and-true oatmeal and peanut butter chocolate protein bars are always a hit in house.
All you need is a handful of easy to find ingredients and a little bit of time, and these homemade protein treats will be ready to dig into! The hardest part is waiting for the chocolate topping to harden!
If you are craving more chocolate treats, check out my Chocolate Olive Oil Almond Cake. It is another easy dessert to make that is chocolate lovers dream dessert.
Why you will love these homemade oatmeal and peanut butter chocolate protein bars
Easy: These protein bars are really simple to make and only take a handful of easy to find ingredients! And added bonus, you can make the peanut butter and oat mixture in just one bowl!
Healthy-ish: They make for an amazing snack or sweet treat with a little added protein. Each serving has about 12 grams of protein and are made with wholesome ingredients.
Delicious: An important one! These homemade oatmeal and peanut butter bars are lightly sweetened, chocolatey and so GOOD! The peanut butter and chocolate combo is such a classic that you cannot go wrong with!
Ingredients you will need to make these protein bars
Old Fashioned rolled oats: Oat fashioned rolled oats work best in this recipe. I would avoid steel cut or quick oats as they will change the texture of the bars.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Use your favorite creamy peanut butter in this recipe.
Vanilla Protein Powder: Vanilla protein powder adds a boost of protein as well as a little flavor to these bars. Use your favorite brand.
Honey: A little but of honey sweetens these peanut butter and oat protein bars.
Olive oil: Keeps the bars moist and adds some healthy fats to the recipe.
Egg: One egg provides structure to the bars.
Apple Sauce: Adds moisture to the bars.
Cinnamon: Gives a little touch of cozy flavor.
Vanilla Extract: Adds to the flavor of the protein bars.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors.
Chocolate chips: Chocolate chips will be melted and drizzled over the oatmeal and peanut butter bars after they are baked. You can use semi sweet or dark chocolate chips.
Tips and tricks to making these protein bars
- Do not forget to blend the oats down to a sand like texture using a food processor or blender. You will need 2 cups of unblended rolled oats. If you wish to use oat flour instead, you will need about 1 3/4 cups of oat flour (already blended).
- The peanut butter and oat mixture is thick, close to cookie dough. To evenly spread it out into the baking dish, use a spatula or your hand to press and spread out the mixture. Be sure to firmly press it all down.
- Just like other baking recipes, be sure not to over bake the bars. When done, the edges will just be slightly browned, but the center might still be a little soft to the touch.
- Slowly melt the chocolate in the microwave because chocolate burns easily. When it does burn, it creates an unstable texture. To do this, start by microwaving the chocolate for 30 seconds. Stir the chocolate. Then microwave in 1 second intervals, making sure to stir each time in between until all the chocolate has melted.
- Placing the peanut butter and chocolate protein bars in the freezer helps speed up the process of the chocolate hardening. It should only take about 20-30 minutes for the chocolate to fully harden.
- Once the chocolate is fully hardened, you can store the bars at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
If you give these homemade oatmeal and peanut butter protein bars a try, let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I really appreciate your feedback!
And be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations.
From my kitchen to yours, happy baking! I hope you love these protein bars as much as we do!
Homemade Oatmeal and Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 C. Old fashioned oats
- 1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 egg
- 1/3 C. Olive oil
- 1/4 C. Apple sauce
- 1/3 C. Honey
- 1/2 C. Peanut butter
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1/4 C. vanilla protein powder
- 1 C. Chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the oats into a food processor or blender. Blend into a course flour.
- Combine the egg, olive oil, apple sauce, honey, peanut butter, and vanilla extract together into a large mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined. Stir in the oat flour, cinnamon, protein powder, and salt. Stir together. Line 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Add the peanut butter batter into the pan and spread out evenly. Press down with your hand or spatula. Bake 20-25 minutes.
- Place the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl. Place in the microwave for 30 seconds, and then stir. Repeat the process until the chocolate chips are just melted. Return the microwave for 15 seconds, then stir. Continue this until the chocolate has melted.
- Evenly spread the melted chocolate onto the baked bars. Place in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or until the chocolate has set. Cut into bars and enjoy! You can store leftovers in an airtight container on the counter for 2 days or in the fridge for 3-4 days.
