Peanut Butter & Chocolate Protein Dessert Bars

Ready to indulge without the guilt? These Peanut Butter & Chocolate Protein Dessert Bars are your new best friend. They’re the sweet treat you crave but don’t have to feel bad about! Loaded with protein, zero refined sugar, and a serious chocolate-peanut butter combo – these bars are a holiday game-changer. Make a batch (or five) because they vanish faster than you can say “dessert.”

What You’ll Need

(Makes about 25 bars, or just enough to share… but who are we kidding? They’ll be gone before you know it!)

• ½ cup unsalted, shelled sunflower seeds (aka your secret crunch factor)
• ½ cup raw, unsalted pepitas (fancy word for pumpkin seeds, but who’s counting?)
• 1 cup pitted dates (nature’s candy)
• 1 (16oz) jar of natural peanut butter (because peanut butter is life)
• 1 cup vanilla protein powder (let’s make this a healthy dessert!)
• 1 (9oz) bag Lily’s stevia-sweetened chocolate chips (hello, guilt-free chocolate!)
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil (for that smooth, dreamy finish)
• 1 tablespoon flake sea salt (optional, but totally worth it for that salty-sweet vibe)

Let’s Get Baking!

1. Preheat your pan – Line a 9×11 casserole dish with parchment paper (so the bars don’t stick to the pan like they’re trying to ruin your day).
2. Seed Power! – Throw the sunflower seeds and pepitas into a food processor and pulse them into a fine powder. Set that aside like a pro chef.
3. Date Night – Now, add the pitted dates to the processor and pulse them until they’re creamy. It’s like magic, but healthier!
4. Mix It Up – Add your seed powder, peanut butter, and protein powder to the mix. Blend until smooth and dreamy. Press that magic dough into the bottom of your prepared pan. This is where the fun begins.
5. Chocolate Time – Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in a double boiler. If you don’t have one, no worries – use a heatproof bowl over simmering water. Pour the melty goodness over your pressed bars and pop them into the fridge for 15 minutes.
6. Finishing Touch – Once they’ve chilled out, sprinkle them with a pinch of flaked sea salt for that perfect salty-sweet balance. Cut into bars (or squares, or whatever shape makes you happiest) and devour!

Nutrition

One bar equals:

• 198 calories
• 14g fat
• 86mg sodium
• 6g carbohydrates
• 6g fiber
• 6g sugar
• 10g protein

Enjoy your protein-packed peanut butter chocolate goodness – it’s the perfect treat for when you want to feel healthy but also treat yourself. Go ahead, make tons… because they’ll be gone in no time!