Hey there, snack lovers! If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the hunt for a quick, tasty, and healthy snack that won’t leave you feeling like you need to run a marathon afterward. These PB & Chocolate Protein Crunch Bars are everything you want in a treat chocolatey, peanut buttery, crunchy, and full of protein to keep you going!
I made these using a recipe I found from @_sarahlfit and gave it a little twist by skipping the salt on top and swirling in more peanut butter (because, why not?). They’re so good they remind me of those Oatein bars but way easier and made right at home. Let’s jump in!
Method
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). This step is super important because a fully preheated oven makes sure the bars cook evenly and quickly. While the oven heats up, you can get everything else ready.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine your 90g oats, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, and 1.5 scoops of protein powder (chocolate or vanilla works great here). Give it a good stir with a spoon or spatula so all the powders coat the oats. You want to make sure there are no clumps and everything looks evenly mixed before adding the wet stuff.
Add the Wet Ingredients
Now add 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, and 50ml of milk into your dry mixture. This part can get a little sticky just take your time mixing it all together. It may look dry at first, but keep stirring and pressing the ingredients around with the back of your spoon or spatula until it forms a thick, sticky dough-like mixture. If it’s too dry to press down, add a splash more milk.
Press into the Baking Dish
Line a small baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Pour the mixture into the dish and press it down firmly using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Try to spread it out as evenly as possible so it bakes uniformly. Flatten the top for a nice, smooth finish this will make it easier to add the chocolate layer later.
Bake the Bars
Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake the bars for 6 minutes only. It may seem like a short time, but trust me, that’s all you need. The mixture isn’t meant to be baked fully it’s more about letting the ingredients set and get slightly toasty.
Melt the Chocolate
While the bars are cooling a little, grab your 60g of dark chocolate and place it into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it in short 15-20 second bursts, stirring in between until it’s smooth and fully melted. Be careful not to overheat it burns fast!
Swirl the Peanut Butter
Once the chocolate is melted, pour it over the slightly cooled bars and spread it gently across the surface using the back of a spoon. Then take ½ tablespoon of peanut butter and drop small blobs over the chocolate. Use a toothpick or butter knife to swirl it around and create a beautiful marbled effect on top. It’s totally optional but adds that perfect PB-choc combo!
Chill and Slice
Place the baking dish in the fridge and allow it to set completely. This usually takes about 30–45 minutes, depending on how cold your fridge is. Once the topping is firm, remove the bars from the dish and use a sharp knife to cut them into 12 even slices. Store in the fridge in an airtight container and enjoy whenever you need a sweet and satisfying bite!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons and a scoop
- Small lined baking dish
- Spoon or spatula
- Microwave-safe bowl (for melting chocolate)
- Oven
PB & Chocolate Protein Crunch Bars – A Guilt-Free, Crunchy Treat!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings10
minutes6
minutes16
minutesIngredients
90g oats
1 tbsp cocoa powder
1.5 scoops protein powder (any flavor works, but I like chocolate or vanilla!)
1 tbsp honey
1.5 tbsp peanut butter (1 tbsp for mixing, ½ tbsp for swirling on top)
50ml milk
60g dark chocolate (for the topping)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (about 350°F).
- In a mixing bowl, combine your oats, cocoa powder, and protein powder. Give it a good stir!
- Add in the honey, 1 tbsp peanut butter, and milk. Mix until everything is fully combined. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
- Press the mixture evenly into a small lined baking dish. Flatten the top with a spatula or back of a spoon.
- Pop it into the oven and bake for just 6 minutes. Yup only 6!
- While it cools a bit, melt 60g of dark chocolate in the microwave (go in short bursts so it doesn’t burn!).
- Pour the melted chocolate over the top and gently swirl in that extra ½ tbsp of peanut butter for a marbled look. Let it set in the fridge until firm.
- Slice into 12 bars and snack away!
Notes
- Don’t overbake them! Six minutes is really all you need any longer and they might dry out.
- When melting the chocolate, always use short bursts and stir in between to prevent burning.
- Make sure the bars are completely cool before slicing or the topping might crack.
Serving Suggestions
These are perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up, post-gym snack, or even dessert! I love wrapping one up for an on-the-go bite or crumbling it into my Greek yogurt for a crunchy topping. Bonus tip? Warm it up for 10 seconds in the microwave if you want that chocolate to melt just a little.
Fun Fact
Did you know oats help keep you full longer because of their fiber content? Combined with peanut butter and protein, these bars are like little fuel bars for your body and brain!
Conclusion
These PB & Chocolate Protein Crunch Bars are one of my go-to snack recipes when I want something delicious, easy, and healthy. They’re low in calories but big on flavor, with just the right amount of crunch and sweetness to satisfy my cravings. Give them a try you might just fall in love with this recipe like I did. Let me know if you add your own twist!
