These are a delicious and chewy no-bake protein bar recipe. Great for adults and kids. Perfect amount of sweetness, the graham crumbs give it a great flavor vs. an all-oatmeal bar. Gluten-free and great for snacks.
Ingredients
For the Bars
2 cups quick oats
¾ cups graham cracker crumbs (for gluten-free I use 7 S'moreables crushed to make crumbs)
¾ cup whey protein, vanilla (I used MRM) *could also sub for extra oats or vegan protein- will be different nutrition
2 Tbsp butter, melted
⅓ cup sugar-free honey (I used Nature's Hollow) *could also use regular honey
⅓ cup salted blanched peanuts, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp natural peanut butter
3-4 Tbsp unsweetened almond milk (or whatever milk you like)
For the Chocolate Topping
1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
⅓ cup stevia chocolate chips (I used Krisda, could also use Lily's)
Instructions
In a large bowl, mix together all the bar ingredients except milk (clean hands work best).
Add in milk slowly, 1 Tbsp at a time. You should only need 3-4 Tbsp. It will be a slightly sticky stiff dough.
Press the bars into a lightly sprayed 8x8 pan (tip: I cover the top in plastic wrap when pressing them in so the dough doesn't stick to my hands)
Once bars are in the pan, put in the fridge and make chocolate topping
In a microwave safe bowl (or on stove in small pot) melt together the chocolate chips and peanut butter. If doing in the microwave, do in 30 second increments (stirring well after each 30 seconds).
Take the bars out of the fridge and pour over the chocolate and spread evenly over the top.
Return the bars to the fridge and cool for at least an hour.
Cut into 10 bars (1 cut in half, then cut into 5 bars on the top half, 5 on the bottom half)
Keep stored in the fridge (covered), or wrap each bar individually and place in the freezer for grab-n-go (this is what I do). Bars are chewy directly out of the freezer.
Nutrition
Serving size: 1 bar (of 10) Calories: 254 Fat: 12 g Saturated fat: 4 g Carbs: 30 g Sugar: 2 g Sodium: 90 mg Fiber: 5 g Protein: 12 g
Recipe by Busy But Healthy at https://busybuthealthy.com/no-bake-peanut-chocolate-protein-bars/