Chocolate Protein Bars
on Apr 10, 2025, Updated Apr 20, 2025
These homemade Chocolate Protein Bars are an easy no bake snack that you can prep in minutes!

Homemade Protein Bars
Homemade protein bars are one of the most requested snacks in our house.
Not only do they taste great, but I love that the ingredients list is much shorter than anything I typically buy at the store.
I’m a big fan of protein recipes, but my rule is that they have to taste good and not be chalky or taste overly like protein powder.
I lost count of how many times I tried to nail the perfect no bake chocolate protein bar recipe, but I know that I tested this recipe at least 8 times. The result was worth it, because these are perfect!
These no bake bars are super chocolatey, have great texture, and are topped with flaky sea salt for a delicious salty sweet flavor.
Ingredients and Notes
The full recipe and instructions is at the bottom of this post, but here is everything you will need to make these homemade protein bars.
- No stir creamy peanut butter: This version of peanut butter has a little bit of added sugar in it and is thicker and smoother than natural peanut butter. The ingredients should be peanuts, oil, salt, and sugar.
- Honey: the natural sticky sweetener that holds it all together.
- Rolled oats: also known as old fashioned oats. You can substitute quick oats if you want to.
- Chocolate protein powder
- Cocoa powder: to really amp up the chocolate flavor.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips: this would also be delicious with dark chocolate chips!
- Flaked sea salt: for topping. This is optional, but highly recommended! The salty sweet flavor pop is my favorite part of these bars.
How to make chocolate protein bars
Step 1: Add the peanut butter, honey, rolled oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder to a large mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to stir it all up until a thick batter forms.
Step 2: Line an 8×8 baking dish with wax paper or parchment paper. Spread the batter evenly into the lined pan, then press it down with your hands or a rubber spatula.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate chips until smooth, then spread the melted chocolate evenly over the top of the protein bars.
Step 4: Sprinkle the top with flaked sea salt before the chocolate hardens.
Step 5: Chill the chocolate protein bars in the fridge for 1-2 hours, or until the chocolate hardens and completely sets.
Once the protein bars are set, use a knife to cut them into however many bars you like. We usually do 12, but sometimes I cut them smaller to last longer for the kids.
Storing
Leftover protein bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days, or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
These would make a great post workout snack or a lunch box pick me up. All you need is just 7 ingredients and a few minutes to throw these together.
More Protein Recipes
- Protein Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Protein Mug Cake
- Chocolate Cashew Protein Bars
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
- Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Bites
- Strawberries and Cream Protein Balls
- Monster Cookie Protein Balls
- Birthday Cake Protein Balls
- Almond Butter Protein Balls
- Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Protein Overnight Oats
Meal prep a batch of these next week for quick and easy snacks!
Chocolate Protein Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup no stir creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup rolled oats, old fashioned oats
- 2/3 cup chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- Flaked sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Use a rubber spatula to stir together the creamy peanut butter, honey, rolled oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper or wax paper.
- Spread the chocolate protein bar batter evenly into the pan and press it down.
- Melt the chocolate chips until smooth and spread them evenly over the top of the protein bars using the rubber spatula.
- Sprinkle the tops of the bars with flaked sea salt before the chocolate hardens.
- Chill the protein bars in the fridge until the chocolate is set (1-2 hours).
- Slice the protein bars into 12 servings.
- Store leftover protein bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.