Soft and chewy homemade Peanut Butter Protein Bars with oatmeal, honey, chocolate, and protein powder. No bake, healthy, and way better than store bought! Check out some of the benefits of these ingredients:

• Peanut Butter. Healthy fats, protein, and the all-out delicious factor. You can use any kind you like, be it shelf stable or drippy peanut butter.
• Oatmeal. Rolled oats are hearty, rich in fiber, and give the Peanut Butter Protein Bars their structure.
• Honey. For its natural sweetness and “glue” factor.
• Protein Powder. Pump ’em up! To make these protein bars with protein powder, stir in 1/2 cup (about 2 generous scoops) of your favorite brand of protein powder. You can use whey- or plant-based protein. I recommend vanilla, though I suspect chocolate would be tasty too.
• Flaxseed Meal. Omega-3s please.
• Coconut Oil. To help the bars bind and solidify.
• Cinnamon and Chocolate Chips. No ho-hum bars here. These Peanut Butter Protein Bars are loaded with the good stuff.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter*
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder - about 2 scoops, depending upon your brand
• 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

1. Line an 8x8- or 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides like handles.
2. Place the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a medium heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a saucepan of water and bring the water to a simmer over medium to medium-high heat. (Do not let the water boil, and make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the mixing bowl.) Stir and heat until the mixture is smoothly combined. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and turn off the heat.
3. To the bowl with the peanut butter mixture, add the oats, protein powder, flaxseed, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. The mixture will seem very dry at first but will come together as you stir. It won’t be sticky but should hold together when pressed (see recipe notes for more details). If the mixture is still fairly warm, pop the bowl into the refrigerator for a few minutes to let it cool, then stir in the chocolate chips. (Cooling the mixture will prevent the chocolate from melting. Don’t worry if they do melt a little—the bars will still be delicious!) Press evenly into the prepared pan and refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.
4. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment handles and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into bars of desired size and enjoy.

Nutrition Serving: 1(of 12), Calories: 244kcal, Carbohydrates: 26g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 13g

*The consistency of the bars will vary based on the brand of peanut butter you use. If they seem too loose, add a tablespoon or two of extra oats. If they seem too dry, add additional peanut butter, honey, or even water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the bars hold together easily when pressed into the pan. The nutritional information will vary based upon the brand of protein powder you use. If you'd like to calc them with a specific brand, you can do so for free at myfitnesspal.com. Store the bars at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. I like to wrap mine individually, then remove them from the freezer as needed. You can also store them in the fridge, though I find they taste best at room temperature.

All text and images ©ERIN CLARKE / WELL PLATED