Baked, 5-ingredient protein bars made with bananas, peanut butter, cocoa, and chocolate chips.
These peanut butter chocolate protein bars are baked (not no-bake which means you can transport them easily), made with 5 ingredientsโbanana, peanut butter, cocoa, chocolate protein powder, and chocolate chipsโand take about 35 minutes start to finish. Theyโre fudgy, sweet, and great for grab-and-go snacks.
As a Registered Dietitian, I tested this recipe to keep the ingredient list simple while still making a bar that sets well and tastes like a treat. Iโve made these bars weekly for about six years now. They are one of my most popular recipes, so I know you will love them as much as we do!
Homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bars
Equipment
- 8 x 8 baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 banana
- ยผ cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup chocolate protein powder
- 1 cup peanut butter natural
- ยฝ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a food processor or by hand combine banana, cocoa powder, protein powder, and peanut butter.
- Fold in chocolate chips (saving a tablespoon or so to add to the top of the bars.) Pour the bars into the baking dish and then sprinkle what you saved over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes and then allow to cool for 5 minutes. Cut into 9 bars, store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze them for up to 6 months.
Video
Notes
How to store
- Refrigerator: Keep the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. (On the go for up to one day in room temperature environments.)ย ย
- Best texture tip: Theyโre firmest straight from the fridge. If you prefer a softer bite, let a bar sit at room temperature for 5โ10 minutes before eating.
How to freeze
- Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 6 months.
- Prevent sticking: Place parchment paper between layers, or wrap bars individually so they donโt freeze together.
How to thaw
- For a quick snack, thaw at room temp for 10โ15 minutes.
- For the best texture, thaw overnight in the fridge, then let it sit on the counter for a few minutes before eating.
Make-ahead tip
If youโre freezing a batch, slice the bars before freezing so you can grab one at a time.Nutrition
Customize This Recipe (Swaps & Substitution Ideas)
These are a great snack or even breakfast on the go, and theyโre customizable!
Banana โ The riper the banana you use, the sweeter these bars will be. I donโt recommend swapping the banana, though, because it acts as a binder in this recipe when bakedโcommon swaps like sweet potato or applesauce wonโt work the same way.
Peanut butter โ You can use any nut or seed butter youโd like, but Iโve only tested this recipe with peanut butter.
Protein powder โ Vegan protein powder will make these bars fudgier, while whey protein will make them denser more like a traditional whey based protein barโboth are delicious!
Chocolate chips โ Optionalโฆ but not really.
Additional Protein Powder Notes
Protein powders (both vegan and whey) absorb liquid a little differently because they contain varying amounts of thickeners (usually gums). Luckily, this recipe is very foolproof thanks to baking the bananas. Still, I recommend experimenting with different protein powders, since you may prefer the taste and texture of one over another.
You shouldnโt need to adjust muchโjust make sure you use a protein powder you really like. Also, the fewer added ingredients in your protein powder (like added fiber or probiotics), the better.
Dietary Swaps
This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free as written.
To make vegan: Use a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips.
FAQs
Q: Do they taste like banana?
Theyโre chocolate-forward with a mild banana note. Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor and the least โbananaโ taste.
Q: Can I make these no-bake?
No, this recipe is designed to be baked. No-bake protein bars are great, but they often need to be stored in the fridge and canโt be transported unless theyโre kept cold. These bars can be kept at room temperature for up to 24 hours, which makes them more portable and versatile.
Q: Can I use vanilla protein powder?
Yes, but they wonโt be as chocolatey. I wouldnโt increase the cocoa powder, thoughโit can create a bitter aftertaste if you add too much and may dry out the bars. If vanilla protein powder is what you have on hand, use it! They just wonโt be as chocolatey.
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Robyn says
Are the nutritional values posted for the whole batch or individual bar?
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Individual!
Good Time Builders says
These look so simple and delicious! I love that the recipe only uses a few basic ingredients but still packs a good amount of protein. Definitely trying this for a quick snack after workouts.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
We love them! Hope you do too!
April Hutchens says
I'm trying to subscribe to your website but it's not giving me a chance to put in my email address.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
I'll add you now! And I'll send this note to my developer.
jk says
Is there any way to make these kind of recipes without bananas? I can't even stand the smell of them!