Vegan Peanut Butter Protein Bars
These no-bake peanut butter protein bars combine two great flavours, flavours that we all love... peanut butter and chocolate! There are three layers to these bars, with a peanut butter layer on the bottom, a chocolate and peanut butter layer above, then a chocolate layer on top. The two oat layers of the bars aren't too sweet and by choosing a chocolate that isn't too sweet either, despite the syrup, the flavour of the bars as a whole are mainly just peanut butter, chocolate and oats.
These protein bars are a little sticky, but easy to eat, with a texture similar to a flapjack. The Macro Mike Powdered Peanut Butter is what provides the peanut flavour, which can be added to your taste, depending on how much you love peanut butter. The chocolate top provides a little more texture and a final hit of chocolate to the bars... the perfect combination. With only two bowls, a food processor and a baking tin needed, these protein bars require no fancy equipment... and what's better? They can be made and ready to eat in less than an hour!
What syrup should I use?
There are a few syrups that you could choose... they will all work well and have the same outcome, just a change in colour and flavour. You could go for a maple syrup, which will have a little more flavour than agave syrup for example, that will mainly add sweetness. There are also light and dark maple and agave syrups, which will slightly affect the colour of the bars. I chose a light agave syrup for my bars, but go for whichever you'd prefer!
What chocolate should I use?
This is totally up to you, depending on what you prefer. So I like to use a dark baking chocolate, as it melts really well and a has a strong flavour. But you can use whatever you'd like... if you have a favourite chocolate that you just can't go without, whether it be white, milk or dark chocolate then go for it! You could also use a flavoured chocolate, like a toffee flavoured chocolate to add a little extra sweetness if that's what you like.
Can I add any extra goodies?
Oh definitely! Who's going to choose not adding chocolate chips if you can?! You may want a thinner chocolate layer on the top though of you're adding chocolate chips... or not if you're a real chocolate lover. To be honest, I'd probably keep the chocolate layer the same. You could even add marshmallows if you wanted to go all out! But if you're not a real chocolate lover, then dried fruit would be a great addition.
Can I add more Powdered Peanut Butter?
The peanut butter flavour in these bars isn't too strong, but it's definitely there. But if you want a lot more peanut butter flavour, then you can definitely add more of the powdered peanut butter, without worrying about changing the texture of the bars.
Do I need any fancy equipment?
Nope not at all! All you need is two bowls, a food processor, spatula and an 8.5 x 8.5 inch baking tin. These can be made totally by hand, apart from the blitzed oats, which is why we need a food processor. Other than that, it's just mixing the ingredients in a bowl and melting the chocolate in another. They're also no-bake, which means all you need is a fridge.
How do I store these protein bars?
These protein bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. It would be best to store these in the fridge in their container, to keep them 'set' and to stop them from going too soft. They can also be frozen for up to a month, in an airtight container.
What goes into these peanut butter protein bars?
Blitzed Oats - this makes up the base of the protein bars and gives them their texture.
Oats - this adds little texture to the bars, slightly different to the blitzed oats.
Water - this what we mix the powdered peanut butter with and what provides the majority of the liquid to the bars.
Macro Mike Powdered Peanut Butter - we can't have peanut butter bars without peanut butter! This powdered peanut butter carries a distinctive peanut flavour and means you can add a little extra without having to worry about changing the texture of the bars, unlike if you were using ready-made peanut butter.
Syrup - this not only adds sweetness to the bars, but also helps to bind them together. Any syrup will be great, so choose one that you like the flavour of - I usually choose either maple syrup or agave syrup, but for these bars I went for light agave.
Cacao Powder - this is what gives the middle layer the chocolate flavour.
Dairy-Free Milk - a little extra liquid just stops the mixture becoming too dry once the cacao powder is added.
Chocolate - you can use whichever chocolate you prefer for the tops of the bars, whether it be a milk chocolate, a flavoured chocolate or just baking chocolate.
Coconut Oil - a little oil will give a lovely shine to your chocolate, as well as helping it to harden in the fridge.
These no-bake peanut butter protein bars combine two great flavours, flavours that we all love... peanut butter and chocolate! There are three layers to these bars, with a peanut butter layer on the bottom, a chocolate and peanut butter layer above, then a chocolate layer on top. The two oat layers of the bars aren't too sweet and by choosing a chocolate that isn't too sweet either, despite the syrup, the flavour of the bars as a whole are mainly just peanut butter, chocolate and oats.
These protein bars are a little sticky, but easy to eat, with a texture similar to a flapjack. The Macro Mike Powdered Peanut Butter is what provides the peanut flavour, which can be added to your taste, depending on how much you love peanut butter. The chocolate top provides a little more texture and a final hit of chocolate to the bars... the perfect combination. With only two bowls, a food processor and a baking tin needed, these protein bars require no fancy equipment... and what's better? They can be made and ready to eat in less than an hour!
Why Macro Mike?
Macro Mike is an amazing brand that sells proteins... but not what you're thinking. What sets them apart from others, is the flavours and texture of their proteins, from 'Strawberry Thick Shake' to 'Cookies & Cream Pudding', they're all creamy, smooth and not to forget, delicious! All of their products are vegan friendly, gluten free, dairy free, macro friendly, 100% natural and GMO-free, meaning they're suitable for everyone. I mean, does it get any better than that?
Yep! Use the code MM-CHARLOTTE-10 for 10% off all across their website, just go and have look to see what you fancy!
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Total Time : 45 minutes
Preparation Time : 15 minutes
Setting Time : 30 minutes
Makes : 16 bars
Ingredients
185g Water
8 - 10 tbsp Macro Mike Powdered Peanut Butter
400g Blitzed Oats
50g Oats
220g Syrup
30g Cacao Powder
25g Dairy-Free Milk
180g Chocolate
1 tsp Coconut Oil
Method
Line a 8.5 x 8.5 inch baking tin with parchment paper and set it to one side.
In a mixing bowl, mix the water with the Macro Mike Powdered Peanut Butter, until they're combined and smooth.
Then, in a food processor, break up the oats until they're fine and add into the peanut butter along with the oats. Mix these until all the oats and blitzed oats are coated.
Add in your syrup and mix again it all comes together and if pressed, holds its shape.
Divide the mixture in half, leaving half in the bowl and the transferring the other half to your lined baking tin.
Press the mixture into the tin, filling the base and pressing it hard enough to compact it together, until the the top is as flat and smooth as possible.
Add the cacao powder and dairy-free milk to the remaining half of the mix in the bowl and mix until it's all combined.
Then add the chocolate mix into the baking tin to create the second layer, pressing the mixture down to help it hold it's shape just like before. Place the tin in the fridge to allow the bars to set, whilst you melt the chocolate for the top.
Place a bowl over a pan of boiling water on a low heat and melt the chocolate with the coconut oil. Leave them untouched for around 5 minutes, then test if the chocolate has softened enough (it may still have a rough chocolate piece shape, but if you press a spoon into it, it should melt and lose its shape). If it isn’t ready, leave it on the heat for another few minutes.
Once it's melted, take the bars out of the fridge and pour the chocolate over the top. Spread it about as evenly as possible, then pick up the tin and move it around to finish spreading the chocolate, for a flat top.
Pop the tin in the fridge to allow the chocolate to set for around 30 minutes.
When the chocolate has set, remove the bars from the tin and cut into squares... and enjoy!
• If you make this, please tag me on Instagram @thecharlotteemilyy or use the hashtag #cebakes •
