This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Crunch Bars have all the taste of a decadent dessert with some added protein! These gluten-free bars come together with a mix of peanut butter, puffed rice cereal, and a chocolate glaze on top for perfect texture. You will not believe how easy these come together without baking!
Imagine peanut butter rice crispy treats with chocolate on top! That’s what you get with these Chocolate Protein Peanut Butter Crunch Bars. It’s a mouthful, I know, but I had to make sure you exactly what you were getting when you bite into one of these babies! I love all healthy chocolate recipes, but this one is extra special with the addition of protein that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.
Reasons you will love this recipe
- Protein packed: these treats are actually packed with protein. For a dessert, you really can’t beat 7 grams in each small serving! As a nutritionist who prioritizes high protein in all of my meals, I wanted to create a dessert that still helps me to meet my macro goals.
- Insanely delicious! It’s almost like you’re eating a peanut butter cup, but better. The puffed rice cereal give that crunchy texture you crave. They are perfectly sweetened with maple syrup and peanut butter, with the chocolate topping tying it together.
- So easy to make! You will see that these only have a handful of ingredients. 5 to be exact! These bars are an easy no-bake recipe that are also perfect for meal prep.
How to make these Protein Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Here is what you need to make these bars:
- Puffed rice cereal: you can find this in the cereal aisle of your grocery store. Most of them are Gluten-free, but be sure to check. Rice Krispies also work!
- Peanut butter: feel free to substitute with any nut butter here, but I do love peanut butter.
- Protein powder: I used my favorite Paleovalley Vanilla Whey Protein. Chocolate whey also works here, but you can use your own personal favorite. You can of course, omit the protein powder.
- Maple syrup: this is to provide more sweetness. Feel free to swap with honey!
- Dark chocolate: Use your own personal favorite melting chocolate. I used Ghirardelli chocolate chips here.
These bars come together in just a few easy steps!
- Mix together cereal, peanut butter, syrup, and protein powder. The dough will be sticky, but able to pack together in a dish.
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and pack in the peanut butter mixture.
- Melt the dark chocolate and pour on top. Sprinkle with sea salt. Refrigerate for about 90 minutes to 2 hours, or freeze for 30 minutes.
- Cut into squares!
Storing
These peanut butter bars should be stored in the fridge in an air tight container. They were part of my prep plan this past weekend, and we’ve been enjoying them all week!
Chocolate Protein Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups Puffed rice cereal
- 1 cup Peanut butter, (preferably a runny and creamy peanut butter)
- 1/2 cup Pure maple syrup
- 3 scoops Vanilla whey protein*
- 2/3 cup Dark chocolate, (about 4 oz)
- Sea salt for garnish, (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together cereal, peanut butter, maple syrup, and protein powder. You will create a thick "batter".
- Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and create a sling. Pour the cereal mixture into the pan and firmly press down evenly over the pan.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 – 45 second increments until completely melted.
- Pour the chocolate over the cereal mixture and spread evenly. Transfer to the fridge and let cool for 90 minutes to 2 hours. Alternatively, transfer to the freezer for 30 minutes before slicing into 16 individual bars.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These look great. Have you tried using whey crisps instead of the puffed rice cereal? I am gonna try it.
These are AWESOME!!!! Not too sweet, filling, protein-providing, easy to make! Couldn’t ask for more.
One note- because scoops in protein powder are different sizes, might be good to state the measurement. Based on the brand you recommend, whose scoop is 21.5 gms, I have used 64 grams to good effect.
Thanks for another staple in our house (I’ve made 3 times since you posted already!)