These homemade no-bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars are easy to make and naturally vegan and gluten-free! Each bar is packed with 11 grams of protein and tastes great! Grab a bar after a workout, in the afternoon when you need a pick-me-up or for a quick breakfast on the go!

a peanut butter protein bar with a bite taken out of it

Homemade protein bars with peanut butter

When the afternoon slump hits, there’s nothing better than having some energy balls or protein bars on hand.

These protein bars are low-carb, vegan and of course homemade, so no need to buy store-bought protein bars anymore! (Plus homemade protein bars are much tastier!)

These bars are made with a base of almond flour, protein powder and rice crisps. If you want to make these entirely grain-free, you can leave out the rice crisps. (though they give the bars a nice little crunch that I know you’ll love!)

There are plenty of ways you can vary and adapt the recipe to your personal preference. Use any nut butter and any protein powder to come up with the perfect protein bar for you!

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Protein-packed. These peanut butter protein bars are packed with 11 grams of protein per bar, without adding *too much* protein powder to them. (too much protein powder can make a bar tastes not so great.)
  • Vegan and gluten-free. They’re naturally vegan, gluten-free and can be made grain-free if needed by removing the rice crisps. These protein bars are also sweetened naturally with maple syrup.
  • Peanut buttery heaven. If you’re a fan of peanut butter cups, you will LOVE the flavor in these peanut butter protein bars. They’re packed with peanut butter and topped with a chocolate layer that gives you the perfect peanut butter and chocolate combo in every bite.
  • No-bake and ready in minutes. No baking needed here! These protein bars are made entirely in a bowl and come together in just 20 minutes. What could be easier?

Ingredients you’ll need for these protein bars

  • Almond flour: This is the base of the bar. Almond flour is packed with protein and is grain-free and gluten-free which makes it perfect to use in protein bars!
  • Protein Powder: Since these are protein bars after all! The protein powder will bulk up the bars with protein.
  • Rice crisps: These add a nice crispy texture to the bars making them super tasty!
  • Peanut butter: Peanut butter is loaded with protein and will also help to bind these bars together.
  • Maple syrup: The sweetener for these bars! You could also use brown rice syrup or honey. (Make sure to use a liquid sweetener to help bind everything together.)
  • Dark chocolate: This is optional, but makes these bars delicious! You can add a chocolate topping or even just a chocolate drizzle on top.
  • Coconut oil: this gets added with the dark chocolate to create a smooth and delicate top that’s easy to cut.

How to make Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Step 1

Mix the almond flour, protein powder, rice crisps and salt together in a bowl.

ice crisps, almond flour and protein powder in a mixing bowl

Step 1

In a measuring cup or bowl, mix the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

peanut butter in a measuring cup

Step 3

Mix the wet and dry ingredients together in a bowl until combined.

Tip: start by mixing with a spoon, and then once it’s partially mixed get in there with your hands. It will be easier to form the dough.

peanut butter protein bar dough in a mixing bowl

Step 4

Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and press the dough into the pan. Place in the freezer and prepare the chocolate topping.

peanut butter protein bar dough in an 8x8 inch pan

Step 5

Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in the microwave, then pour the chocolate mixture over the protein bars and spread evenly. Pop the pan in the fridge to set for 2 hours.

melted dark chocolate being poured into a pan of protein bars

Step 6

Remove from the fridge and cut into even squares or bars. Store these Peanut Butter Protein Bars in the fridge.

a stack of three peanut butter protein bars

What kind of protein powder should I use?

There are many different types of protein powder on the market to choose from. It will ultimately come down to personal taste and preference.

Any protein powder will work for this recipe, but I recommend choosing an unflavored protein powder so it won’t interfere with the taste of the bars. If you want to use a flavoured protein powder, go for peanut butter protein powder or vanilla protein powder.

I also personally use and recommend plant-based protein powder vs. protein powder with whey in it. I find plant-based protein powder easier to digest. I use the sprout living epic protein (the “original” blend) for this recipe which I find to be one of the best protein powders I’ve tried.

Recipe variations

One thing I love about these Peanut Butter Protein Bars is that they are completely customizable. Here are some ways you customize these bars to suit any dietary needs:

Make them peanut-free: substitute the peanut butter in these bars for almond butter, cashew butter or seed butter.

Make them paleo: leave out the rice crisps and make sure to use paleo-friendly dark chocolate.

Make them keto: substitute the maple syrup in the recipe for stevia. Since stevia isn’t liquid, you’ll need to add more peanut butter to make the bars bind together. Add an extra 1/4 cup of peanut butter in this case.

a peanut butter protein bar topped with dark chocolate

How to store these homemade protein bars

Store these bars in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. These bars can be eaten directly out of the freezer but may need 2-3 minutes to slightly thaw and soften.

Tips for making Peanut Butter Protein Bars

  • Opt for runny peanut butter. Runny peanut butter works best in this recipe to bind everything together. Look for peanut butter that says “natural” or “only peanuts” on the packaging. That being said, classic creamy peanut butter will also work.
  • If your dough is dry, add a touch of almond milk. Not too much, just a couple of teaspoons. This will help soften the dough and make it stick together.
  • Don’t want to use protein powder? No problem! Just substitute for more almond flour.
  • Make sure to store these bars in the fridge or freezer. They won’t store well on the counter and won’t hold their shape.

Frequently asked questions

How many calories are in these protein bars?

Each bar contains 195 calories, 11 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. This recipe makes 15 bars.

When should you eat a protein bar?

You can really eat these protein bars any time of day! They’re great to enjoy before or after a workout, or a quick breakfast, to help combat the afternoon slump, or even for a little nutritious dessert!

Is it bad to eat a protein bar every day?

Not with these homemade protein bars! These bars are made with simple and healthy ingredients and can be enjoyed every day (in moderation) as part of a healthy diet.

Are protein bars healthy?

While some store-bought protein bars are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients, these homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars are definitely healthy!

More no-bake recipes to try

a hand holding a peanut butter protein bar topped with chocolate and salt

If you tried these Peanut Butter Protein Bars or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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a hand holding a peanut butter protein bar topped with chocolate and salt

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 8 reviews
  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 15 bars 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These Peanut Butter Protein Bars are vegan, gluten-free and easy to make! 

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup protein powder (unflavored is best)
  • 1/2 cup rice crisps
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup natural peanut butter (the runny kind works best)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tsp of almond milk if needed to help bind.
  • 200 grams 70% dark chocolate
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

  1. Mix the almond flour, protein powder, rice crisps and salt together in a large bowl. 
  2. Mix the peanut butter, maple syurp and vanilla together then pour into the bowl and mix until everything is combined. If the mixture feels a bit dry, add 2-3 tsp of almond milk. (Don’t add too much!)
  3. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper then add the dough to the pan, pressing down evenly. Place in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate topping. 
  4. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together then pour ontop of the bars. Place in the fridge for 2 hours to set.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 2 months.

Runny peanut butter works best in this recipe to bind everything together. If you find your dough is too dry to press into the pan, add a couple of teaspoons of almond milk and mix.

If your dough is dry, add a touch of almond milk. Not too much, just a couple of teaspoons. This will help soften the dough and make it stick together.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 195
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 11g