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A sweet treat doesn’t have to be unhealthy to be delicious and indulgent, like these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars.
I am so excited welcome Amee from Amee’s Savory Dish. Not only have I had the pleasure of knowing Amee online for a few years now, but we’ve also gotten to meet in person twice in the past year. She is super sweet, and has a passion for a healthy lifestyle and good food – always a winning combo in my book. Be sure to stop by her blog and enter to win the NINJA Supra Kitchen System that she is giving away! Round out dinner by checking out Love Bakes Good Cakes for some Healthy Meals or The NY Melrose Family for some Healthy Snack Ideas in our #EatHealthy15 Series.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars are a tasty way to satisfy a nagging sweet tooth and fuel your body with quality nutrition at the same time. That, my friends, is a WIN. WIN! I love making desserts with quality protein sources, like these Coconut Chocolate Chia Puddings, Berry-Stuffed Cottage Cheese Crepes, Skinny Berry Parfaits and delicious Guiltless Chocolate Bliss Cupcakes. It’s fun to experiment with healthier versions of my favorite indulgent sweets. These decadent protein bars are the perfect way to sneak in a little more muscle fuel in your day!
Amee is obsessed with recipe makeovers! A southern girl raised in South Carolina and currently living in the Atlanta, GA area with her husband and two children. Amee is a certified Precision Nutrition coach, CrossFit (LV1 & Endurance certified) trainer, children’s book author, recipe creator and devoted mom and wife. Amee loves to find new ways to make all of her favorite family recipes more nutritious. She is very passionate about helping other people make better food choices and encouraging them to embrace a healthy and fit lifestyle. You can find her at Amee’s Savory Dish and:
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 6 pitted Medjool dates
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup organic peanut butter
- 5 scoops vanilla protein powder I used Jay Robb's Vanilla Egg White Protein Powder
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips I used Enjoy Life brand
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Combine dates, cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and almond milk in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl and add peanut butter. Blend until smooth, stir in protein powder and oat flour until thoroughly combined (I used my stand mixer on low speed for this step).
- Stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Line a 9x9 baking pan with plastic wrap, overlapping sides and leaving enough extra to cover the top.
- Spoon the peanut butter bar mixture into the pan and smooth out evenly, with a spreading knife or spatula, to distribute in the pan.
- Top with slivered almonds and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
- Slice into 12 bars and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Enjoy sans guilt.
Notes
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
Categories:
If you liked this recipe from Amee, you’ll love these:
- Beef Sausage, Kale & Aged Cheddar Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
- Tropical Key Lime Protein Shake
- Berry Beet Smoothie
- Grilled Asian Shrimp Skewers
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I made these bars & they fell apart. Crumbled as we tried to eat them. Is this normal? They were delicious, crumbly or not. What could I do to make them more like a bar that I could pick up & eat instead of eating with a spoon to get all my crumbs?
Hi Mary, this was a guest post form a fellow blogger so I do not have experience with this exact recipe. However based on similar recipes I have made, I’d guess either your dates were smaller and/or you used a protein powder that absorbed more liquid. I’d suggest maybe adding a bit more liquid or a couple more dates to make it stickier. In a question on her site, I noticed someone asked how much protein powder was five scoops and she said about a 1/2 cup. Just a few suggestions. Let me know how it works out. I might have to make a batch myself to bring on vacation for me kids to snack on.
I would really love to make these for my upcoming trip. How long will these last un-refrigerated?
Hi Tisha,
The protein bars have dairy products in them, so they really should stay refrigerated. If you’re traveling with them, I suggest packing them into an insulated bag with an ice pack to keep them cool.
Hi, love the recipe! I make it every two weeks for my family! Just wondering, what are the macronutient facts for these bars? How many grams ofprotein, carbs, and fat does it have and how many calories per serving?
I’m so glad that you are enjoying the protein bars, David! I don’t know what the macronutrient count is for them. It can vary depending on what brand of ingredients you use. I know that a lot of people use either the free nutritional calculator on MyFitnessPal or on SparkRecipes. Good luck!
wondering if these need to be kept in the fridge because of the cottage cheese. They look delish! Thanks for the recipe.
Great question, Leah. The answer is yes, they do need to be stored in a refrigerator. The last step of the recipe mentions that. 🙂
I love this recipe! I would have never guess there was cottage cheese…a keeper!
I know! Surprised me too!
I love these! They’re definitely not the same ol’ ingredients in protein bars! The cottage cheese, dates, it all sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I know, I bet the cottage cheese gives them a richer texture!
I definitely need to make protein bars. These would be such a great snack at work. Just grab and go!
YAY! Amee and Brianne are two of my favorite ladies! Amee, these protein bars look delicious.
Aww, thanks! Amee is such a doll and I love her bars!
I never would have guessed there was cottage cheese in these! Now I’m really intrigued.
I know, wasn’t that such a surprise?!
Thank you so much for the kind words and featuring my recipe today! You’ve done a great job with this healthy eating series!! 🙂
Thank you, Amee! I truly appreciate it!
I love a sweet treat that is secretly good for me!
I know! They’re the best!
I haven’t tried making protein bars before, but I think it’s time! This recipe looks perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I think you shoudld!
These are totally rocking my protein-loving socks! Homemade protein bars are SO much better than store bought, and that peanut butte and chocolate combo is making me swoon. Pinned!
Anything chocolate and peanut butter is a winner for me!