These vegan peanut butter bars are packed with flavor and nutrition.

There are so many nutrition bars brands out there, many of which boast pure, organic ingredients and a glowing nutritional profile. Even so, nothing beats the potential of what you make in the comfort of your own kitchen. You not only have full control of what goes into your treats but also derive so much more satisfaction with each and every bite. This peanut butter bars recipe is something you’ll surely be proud of, especially when you begin to tweak the add-ins with your custom preferences.

Instead of refined white flour and sugar, the recipe calls for gluten-free oats and lower-glycemic coconut palm sugar. The recipe also nixes eggs and milk in favor of flaxseeds and coconut milk. Meanwhile, the peanut butter provides a to-die-for density that will fill you up after just one serving.

Once you master this peanut butter bars recipe, begin to have fun with the add-ins. Replace the raisins with roughly chopped peanuts, dark chocolate chips, carob chips, or dried cranberries. You can also make each bar that more delicious with the addition of a sauce, such as a vegan caramel glaze or vegan white chocolate.

Vegan Peanut Butter Oat Bars

Serve 10-15

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons flax seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash of salt
• 1 cup natural peanut butter (no added oil)
• 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ cup raisins

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 or 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.

Add 1 cup of the oats and flax seeds into a food processor and process until the mixture resembles flour. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl. Add in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until evenly combined. In a separate bowl, stir together the peanut butter, palm sugar, coconut milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture until well combined. Fold in the raisins.

Scoop the dough into the baking dish and use a spatula to spread the mixture and even out the edges. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool before cutting into bars and serving

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Healthy Oat Bars Image from Shutterstock

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A peanut butter and chocolate combination is probably what springs to mind when you think of protein bars. And if you glance at the shelves of protein bars at the supermarket, health food, and athletic stores, you might think it is the only flavor combination (chocolate-peanut butter, peanut butter-chocolate, double peanut butter chocolate fudge, fudgy chocolate peanut butter blast…you get the idea). Infractions abound—notably those sporting choco- (make that chalkoh) flavor coatings and gum-enhanced fillings—but a fantastic peanut butter chocolate protein bar is worth pursuing. Lucky you, the pursuit is over. Whenever you want a trustworthy, taste-worthy peanut butter and chocolate bar, this is it.

Makes 12 Protein Bars

Ingredients

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

1/2 cup roasted, lightly salted peanuts
1/2 cup natural, unsweetened peanut butter
1/2 cup plain nondairy milk or low-fat dairy milk
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil, warmed until melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 2/3 cup lightly packed all-natural, sweetened chocolate vegan protein powder
1/4 cup unsweetened, natural cocoa powder

Peanut Butter Icing

1/4 cup natural, unsweetened peanut butter
2 tablespoons plain nondairy milk or
low-fat dairy milk
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

 Directions

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Place the peanuts in a food processor and process into a fine powder (not a paste). Add the peanut butter, milk, oil, and vanilla. Process, using on/o. pulses, until the mixture is blended, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl several times with a rubber spatula.

3. Add the protein powder and cocoa powder to bowl; process using on/o. pulses until all of the protein powder is incorporated, stopping to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl once or twice with a rubber spatula.

4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a large piece of parchment paper, wax paper, or plastic wrap (coated with nonstick cooking spray) atop the bar mixture and use it to spread and flatten the mixture evenly in the pan.

5. To prepare the icing: In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, milk, and coconut oil. Heat over medium-low, stirring, for 1 to 2 minutes until mixture is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the stevia, vanilla, and salt; immediately pour and spread over the bar mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight until very firm.

6. Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Uncover and cut into 12 bars. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Nutrients per bar: Calories 271, Fat 21.2 g, (Saturated 10.2 g), Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 101 mg, Carbs 7.2 g (Fiber 2.8 g, Sugars 2.5 g), Protein 16 g

Power Hungry, The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook, by Camilla V. Saulsbury,(Lake Isle Press, 2013)

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The post Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever enjoyed yourself with nothing more than a spoon and a jar of peanut butter.

It’s not so uncommon, simply because peanut butter is absolutely delicious. And then, you realize that it pairs well with chocolate chips, and soon you have yourself a go-to midnight snack that could probably use a good bit more structure. So, peanut butter bars were born. But, there’s no need to pull out the butter or milk-laden chocolate. Instead, make this vegan peanut bar recipe to keep things healthy and your conscience a little more at bay. Enjoy!

This vegan peanut butter bars recipe makes 20 servings, technically speaking, but if you’re preparing it for a crowd, make more than you think you need, because these will fly off the table. Also, get creative with the add ins. Before refrigerating, I like to top the chocolate layer with nuts and dried coconut flakes. Get festive with your choices!

Vegan Peanut Butter Bars 

Makes about 20 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-natural peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil, hardened
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Dash of sea salt
• 1 1/2 cups vegan chocolate chips

Directions

In a food processor, pulse together the peanut butter, coconut palm sugar, coconut oil, maple syrup and sea salt. Once evenly combined and smooth, spread the mixture on the bottom of a pan lined with parchment paper. In a double broiler over medium heat, melt the chocolate chips. Once melted to a smooth consistency, pour over the peanut butter base and spread evenly with a spatula. Place the pan in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens. Hasten the process by putting the pan into the freezer. Cut into small squares and enjoy!

Photo Credit: Jamieanne

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