Perfect Bar Recipe

4.60 from 106 votes

Save some money and make this homemade perfect bar recipe! These chocolate chip peanut butter protein bars have just 4 ingredients, come together in 10 minutes, and require no baking. Packed with 16 grams of protein per bar, along with healthy fats and carbs, they make a delicious and easy on-the-go snack or dessert everyone will love.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword No Bake Protein Bars, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars, Peanut Butter Protein Bars, Perfect Bar Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings bars

Calories 293kcal

Author Kelly Nardo

Equipment

8x8 pan

Ingredients

1 cup natural peanut butter (256 grams - you can use smooth or chunky)
1 cup egg white protein powder (80 grams) - see notes for substitutions
1/4 cup maple syrup (see notes)
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (60 grams)
flaked sea salt, for topping

Instructions

Line an 8x8 pan or bread pan with parchment paper and set aside. An 8x8 will give you 8 thinner bars and a bread pan will give you 6 thicker bars.
Make your protein bars. Add your peanut butter, maple syrup, protein powder, and a pinch of salt to a medium bowl. Mix until a dough forms. It will get crumbly at first but will come together and have a consistency like cookie dough (see notes if not). Use your hands if needed. If needed, add a little more liquid. Add about a scant 1/4 cup of the chocolate chips and carefully mix to combine. Be careful not to overmix as the dough will become crumbly.
Form into bars. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Top with remaining chocolate chips, pressing them into the dough, and sprinkle with optional sea salt if desired. Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up some (I like doing this).
Enjoy! Cut into 8 equal-sized bars and enjoy! Store in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

I suggest using a food scale and weighing your peanut butter and protein powder to help ensure the right texture of the bars.
Using an 8x8 baking dish will give you 8 1/2-inch thick bars. You can use any kind of baking dish since this is a no-bake recipe, but the thickness will change some. A bread loaf pan also works well and will give you thicker bars.
Make sure your peanut butter is all-natural and is very runny/drippy. You can use smooth or crunchy. If your peanut butter isn't runny, the mixture will be crumby. You can add more maple syrup to accommodate.
I like egg white protein powder in this perfect bar recipe because it's bland and doesn't add any additional flavor. If you don't have egg white protein, you can substitute your favorite protein (collagen, whey, plant-based), but I would be careful of the ratios. Protein powders vary by consistency and density, so I would add a little less than the recipe calls for and add as you need for the best consistency. You can always add, but you can never take away! Check out the comments for substitutions others have done.
I tested this recipe a few times and found that 1/4 cup maple syrup works the best. You can adjust the amount depending on how sweet you like them or how moist you like them. You might also have to adjust the amount depending on how oily your peanut butter is.

Nutrition