They’re salty, naturally sweet, and topped with (optional but not-so-optional) melted dark chocolate. But most importantly, they require just 5 ingredients, 1 food processor (or blender), and 20 minutes to make. Let’s do this! These protein bars are adapted from our beloved 5-Ingredient Protein Ball recipe and feature a few modifications and flavor swaps. They are also inspired by our Plant-Based Protein Bar Review — after sampling the bars, we felt like the world could use one more DIY option (store-bought just can’t beat homemade). We went for peanut butter in this recipe because it’s always the flavor we reach for in a pinch. Plus, peanut butter and chocolate are just made for each other. Once your dates and peanut butter are blended together, simply add your chia seeds, hemp seeds, and protein powder of choice and blend. Our favorite these days has been Tropeaka Lean Vanilla Protein (an Australia-based brand with seriously high-quality products — not sponsored). But if you’re looking for other favorites, check out our Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder and Chocolate Protein Powder Reviews! The texture should be firm but moldable like cookie dough (see photos). Once pressed into your loaf pan, simply drizzle with melted dark chocolate (optional) and freeze until semi-firm to the touch, which allows for easier slicing. For these photos, we sliced ours into 7 bars. However, they’re quite dense and protein rich, so we recommend cutting them into 12 bars (or squares) to achieve proper serving sizes. We hope you LOVE these bars! They’re: SaltyPeanut butteryQuick & easyNaturally sweetLow in sugarGrain-free (depending on your protein powder)& PACKED with protein! These little bars clock in at 14 grams of protein per serving! That’s a seriously satisfying snack. We prefer ours after workouts or as an afternoon pick-me-up. Into energy and protein bites? Be sure to check out our 5-Ingredient Protein Balls, Dark Chocolate Hemp Seed Energy Bites, 5-Ingredient Golden Milk Bites, and Matcha Bliss Balls! If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
