Why must I use natural peanut butter?

Natural peanut butter with its characteristic oily separation at the top is the most essential ingredient for these no-bake protein bars because the natural oils provide the most critical binding moisture that holds the oat flour and protein powder together in a cohesive and sliceable bar. Commercial peanut butter with added hydrogenated oils is too firm and dry to provide adequate binding and produces bars that crumble rather than slice cleanly.

Can I use a different nut butter?

Yes. Natural almond butter or natural cashew butter can substitute for natural peanut butter in the same quantity. Each produces a slightly different flavor profile while maintaining the most properly oily and binding consistency needed for the most perfectly cohesive no-bake protein bar. For a nut-free version, sunflower seed butter provides the same binding properties.

Can these bars be made without protein powder?

Yes. Omit the protein powder and increase the oat flour by a quarter cup for bars that hold together without protein powder. The protein content will be lower — approximately 8 to 10 grams per bar — and the flavor will be more purely oat and peanut butter flavored without the vanilla protein note.

Monster Cookie Protein Bars Easy No Bake Meal Prep Recipe

Description

The most easy Monster Cookie Protein Bars made with no baking required by combining 1 cup natural peanut butter 5 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup oat flour and 60g vanilla whey protein powder in a bowl mixing until thick and smooth folding in 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips and 1/4 cup mini M&Ms pressing firmly into a parchment-lined loaf pan or meal prep container topping with extra M&Ms covering and freezing exactly 1 hour until firm lifting out with parchment and slicing into 6 to 8 individual bars wrapped and stored. 15 grams protein per bar. A completely perfect no-bake meal prep protein bar recipe.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup Creamy Natural Peanut Butter must be natural variety with oil separation

5 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup

1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Oat Flour homemade from blended oats or store-bought

60g Vanilla Whey Protein Powder approximately 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp

1 tbsp Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1/4 cup Mini M&Ms

Additional Mini M&Ms for top optional

Instructions

1. Add peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, oat flour, and protein powder to large bowl.

2. Mix with electric mixer or spatula until thick smooth and combined.

3. Fold in mini chocolate chips and M&Ms gently until evenly distributed.

4. Line loaf pan or small meal prep container with parchment paper.

5. Transfer dough to container. Press firmly and evenly into all edges with hands or spoon.

6. Press additional M&Ms on top if desired.

7. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze exactly 1 hour until completely firm.

8. Lift slab with parchment onto cutting board.

9. Slice into 6 to 8 individual bars with sharp knife.

10. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap. Store refrigerated up to 1 week or frozen up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Snack, Protein Bar, Meal Prep
Method: No Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 330
Sugar: 17g
Sodium: 25mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 14mg

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