Peanut butter protein bars are the perfect, protein-packed snack bar! I love their crunchy, sweet, sticky texture! The delicious peanut flavor pairs perfectly with the chocolate topping. They are similar to a rice crispy treat, except without the grains, marshmallows, or processed sugars. These peanut butter protein bars are even easy to make and no-bake! I love whipping up a batch of these easy snacking bars to have on hand for an allergy-friendly, energy packed, on-the-go snack! They have the perfect taste, texture, and sweetness level!

a stack of grain-free peanut butter protein bars on a rustic cutting board

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Modern Pioneer Recipe

These peanut butter protein bars are an amazing modern pioneer recipe! They are a modern pioneer recipes because…well, I don’t think the early pioneers had ready access to peanuts, peanut butter or chocolate. At least, I have not read any research that indicates those were pioneer chuckwagon staples!

Nonetheless, they are definitely a modern pioneer pantry staple in my opinion! If you asked me what my favorite flavor is, I would without a doubt say peanut butter. Combine my favorite flavor with something sweet (honey) and some chocolate, and you have the perfect combination for my favorite snack (border line dessert).

Honestly, these snack bars are so delicious, they could totally pass as dessert. However, they are just way too healthy to call a dessert! Aside from their wholesome, simple ingredients, these peanut butter protein bars are also allergy-friendly. Obviously they aren’t free of peanuts, but they are still a healthy option for modern pioneers who don’t have a peanut allergy. These protein bars are…

grain-free
gluten-free
tree nut free
egg free
refined sugar free
dairy-free option
corn free

If I haven’t sold you on these peanut butter protein bars yet, then you may want to check out these gluten-free moose bars (my dad’s favorite dessert), gluten-free pb&j energy balls (another high energy snack), or these trail mix no-bake granola bars!

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gluten-free homemade peanut butter protein bars with chocolate topping

Protein Packed!

I love that these peanut butter protein bars are packed with protein and other beneficial nutrients! These bars taste good and ARE good for you! Since the bars do not bake, the ingredients retain all of their original nutrients! The peanuts, coconut, peanut butter, and honey all add to the benefits in these bars. Here are just a few highlights of each of these ingredients!

Peanuts- good source of plant-based protein (100 g of raw peanuts contains 25.8 g of protein), contain healthy fats, rich in anti-oxidants
Coconut- good source of healthy, medium-chain fatty acids which provide energy
Peanut Butter- good source of protein and fiber
Honey- healthy source of energy, packed with anti-oxidants, contains natural sugar (not processed sugar), anti-inflammatory, aids digestion

Thanks to the wholesome ingredients in these protein peanut butter bars, they are healthy and good for you!

a can of Feridies extra large Virginia peanuts with grain-free peanut butter protein bars

Ingredient Guide

What types of ingredients you purchase for these bars will effect how healthy they are for you. Not all peanut butter is created equal and not all honey is loaded with anti-oxidants! I know it can be tricky when figuring out if an ingredient is wholesome, but there are a few tips and tricks to watch out for! Here is what I look for when shopping for these ingredients.

Peanuts- Look for organic, non-GMO, gluten-free peanuts. They can be salted or non-salted. I like to use Feridies extra large Virginia peanuts!
Shredded Coconut- Look for the organic label. Buy unsweetened shredded coconut. Look for gluten-free too.
Peanut Butter- Check the ingredients of the peanut butter, make sure there is not added sugar or added oils. I buy Kroger brand, organic peanut butter which only contains peanuts and salt.
Honey- Buy raw honey, not processed honey (processing the honey removes the beneficial properties). Try to find local honey.
Butter- I only buy organic, grass-fed butter, which contains more benefits and supports more humane practices. Grass-fed butter is also more flavorful and some people who have a dairy intolerance can actually tolerate organic, grass-fed butter.
Chocolate Chips- Buy organic and gluten-free chocolate chips. I like Enjoy Life because they are dairy-free, but they do contain cane sugar. Lily’s chocolate chips may be a better option for dairy-free and sugar free people.

Keep these bars gluten-free, grain-free, organic, and low in sugar by using wholesome ingredients!

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a plate of homemade protein bars made with raw honey, peanuts, and peanut butter

Ingredient Substitutions

Many times I find recipes that need just a few slight adaptations to make it into something I can eat. With these peanut butter protein bars, you can substitute a few ingredients to customize them to your liking! Here are a few substitutions that I might advise (or not advise).

Peanuts- You could try substituting in your favorite tree nut. I haven’t tried this substitution because I cannot have tree nuts in my house.
Shredded Coconut– Fine shredded coconut flakes or large coconut flakes will both work fine in this recipe.
Peanut Butter- Try your favorite nut butter substitute, like almond butter or try a seed butter like sunflower seed butter.
Honey- I chose honey for the sweetener in these bars because it would help keep the bars together and it would provide health benefits too since it would not be heated up. You could try other sticky sweeteners like a tapioca syrup or cassava sweetener, but I think that honey is the healthiest option.
Butter- You can use coconut oil instead to make these bars dairy-free!

no-bake peanut butter protein bars on a rustic wood pallet background with peanuts and chocolate chips

Recipe Tips

Well, I pretty much covered everything from ingredient benefits to shopping for the best ingredients to what substitutions you can make in these bars…. what else is there to discuss? These bars are super simple to make, require no baking, and can literally be whipped up in minutes. To make sure your peanut butter protein bar making experience goes as smooth as peanut butter, here are a few tips!

Give your peanut butter a good stir! You want all of the peanut oil to be well incorporated so that the peanut butter protein bars don’t turn out too oily or dry.
I highly recommend pouring out the blended dry ingredients before adding the heated peanut butter mixture and honey. It makes stirring everything together much easier!
With that being said, you can just throw everything into the food processor and blend, blend, blend! It just tends to be a bit more difficult to get everything evenly incorporated.
The peanut butter bars don’t have to be completely cool before your spread on the chocolate.
The bars do have to be completely cool before you slice them and remove them from the pan!
These bars can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge.

a stack of no-bake granola bars on a piece of cheesecloth on a rustic wood cutting board

Peanut butter protein bars are full of protein rich peanuts and anti-oxidant rich honey! They make a delicious gluten-free and grain-free snack option that will provide you with energy and nutrients! I can’t wait for you to take your first bite of these amazing snack bars!

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Recipe by The Pioneer Chicks

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings 12 bars

Author Alexa Lehr

Ingredients

2 cups non-GMO whole peanuts
1 tsp. sea salt (if the peanuts are non-salted)
1 cup organic shredded coconut
3/4 cup organic creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup pure, raw honey
1 T. organic, grass-fed butter or coconut oil
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips (topping)

Instructions

Lightly butter an 8×8" glass baking dish with butter or coconut oil
In a food processor, pulse the peanuts and the shredded coconut until the peanuts are crumbled. Transfer the crumbled peanuts and coconut into a large mixing bowl.
In a small saucepan, heat the peanut butter, butter or coconut oil, and vanilla over low heat. Stir until the butter or coconut oil is melted.
Add the peanut butter mixture to the crumbled peanut mixture. Add the honey to the bowl and stir until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Pat the mixture into the 8×8" baking dish.
Melt 3/4 cup of chocolate chips in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until all the chocolate chips are melted. Spread the melted chocolate chips over the peanut bars.
Allow the chocolate to harden before cutting the bars. You can store the bars at room temperature or in the freezer or the fridge. Storing them in the fridge or freezer will make them firm up more.

Where to Find the Ingredients

You can find organic, sugar free peanut butter at Kroger and Whole Foods Market. Pure, raw honey may also be found at a local co-op or farmer’s market.

a stack of allergy-friendly peanut butter protein bars surrounded by whole peanuts and chocolate chips

I hope you give these peanut butter protein bars a try! You will love the crunchy, sweet texture of these bars! They are super easy to make and don’t require baking. Plus, they are gluten-free, grain-free, tree nut free, and egg free…. the perfect allergy-friendly, modern pioneer recipe! I love that these peanut butter protein bars provide you with energy, protein, and anti-oxidants! A healthy snack that tastes amazing!

I would love to hear how you liked these easy, snack bars!

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by Alexa