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No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

By Holly Darnell, RD

September 23, 2024

Peanut butter bars are appealing to many, so what about chocolate peanut butter bars? Yeah, unless you’re allergic to peanut butter, this is a concept that has won over millions of fans.

After all, it’s one of the most searched homemade dessert or snack recipes on the internet, in part because it’s delicious but also easy to make and requires few ingredients and no baking! However, good for you it is not.

Instead, welcome to these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars with superior ingredients, more protein (courtesy of whey protein) and less sugar than conventional versions. And yes, you’ll still get that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup flavor that many of us seek.

Why This Bar Is So Popular

• No baking required

• One of the great flavor combos: chocolate and peanut butter

• Great macros: 20 grams of carbs, 21 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein

• Just 8 ingredients

• Takes only 15 minutes to make

• You can make them into bars or small squares for even smaller bites

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar Ingredients

With just eight ingredients that don’t spoil, you can make this recipe again and again. They come together not just for the outstanding flavor but also the texture and structure you will want:

• Peanut Butter: We start with peanut butter because it’s the main ingredient as well as the dominant flavor. We recommend creamy peanut butter for the best texture trust and try to get a low-sodium version.

• Honey: Rather than some type of sugar, we go with the natural sweetener honey for more enzymes and that marries well with peanut butter and chocolate. Opt for raw honey for even more benefits.

• Coconut oil: To assist in binding all the ingredients, we go with the performance fat (it helps boost your energy) coconut oil.

• Vanilla extract: Often overlooked in rival peanut butter bar recipes, vanilla elevates the overall flavor.

• Flaxseed meal: With both soluble and insoluble fiber as well as omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed is one of the healthiest ingredients (and partly responsible for the higher fiber count of 4 grams per bar). It also works like a flour in recipes and helps bind the ingredients together.

• Sea salt: To balance the sweetness.

• 85% dark chocolate: You will want a dark chocolate rather than a milk chocolate to make these bars sing.

• Chocolate Whey Protein: Ancient Nutrition’s Whey Protein Chocolate combines high-quality whey protein, organic regenerative A2/A2 milk protein (which is easier to digest) and clinically studied eggshell membrane collagen into one supplement. It’s also available in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Vanilla.

How to Make No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

No preheating needed, as ovens are not involved! Instead, first melt the coconut oil in a small pan at a low heat. Then get a medium or large mixing bowl and add in the melted coconut oil, peanut butter, honey and vanilla extra. Mix — using a stand mixer, electric beater, whisk or wooden spoon — until it’s smooth and well combined.

Next add the flaxseed meal, whey protein powder and sea salt. Remix until the dough is sticky and resembles cookie dough. Too dry? Add in one tablespoon of water at a time until the dough is both sticky and firm.

Scrap and press the peanut butter dough into a parchment-lined 8” by 4” pan, like a bread or brownie pan, or a silicone candy mold.

Now it’s time to make the chocolate layer. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add in the dark chocolate bar and melt until completely smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter dough. Optionally sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top.

Freeze the pan or mold for 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set. Remove from the freezer and place in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.

Finally, remove from the refrigerator and cut into 10 to 24 bars. You can store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

More Peanut Butter and Almond Butter and Chocolate Recipes

• Peanut Butter Cookies

• Peanut Butter Collagen Protein Bars

• No-Bake Almond Butter Energy Balls

• Cranberry Almond Energy Bites

• Almond Butter Oatmeal Bars

• Almond Butter Banana Protein Bars

• Almond Butter Fig Bars

Recipe developed by Holly Darnell, RD. Holly is a registered dietitian nutritionist who unlocked self-love at the intersection of exceptional food and practical solutions for healthy living. She’s passionate about helping others make simple, positive lifestyle changes on their individual path to healing.