If you know me by now then you know ya girl has a sweet tooth.

But as a nutrition and hormone health coach I’m always scheming up hacks and recipes to satisfy said sweet tooth while simultaneously sneaking in nutrients to keep my hormones healthy and blood sugar balanced.

Because I firmly believe food has the ability to taste good AND make you feel good too. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice one for the other.

And let me tell you friend, you are getting both major flavor and feel good factor with this Healthy Peanut Butter Protein Bar Recipe.

Because while it tastes like a rich, creamy, chocolate peanut butter treat, it also happens to be loaded with protein, healthy fats and fiber, doubling as the perfect on-the-go protein bar or satiating snack in a pinch. Plus my toddler loves them too!

Snag the peanut butter protein bar recipe and details below.

WHAT MAKES THIS PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BAR RECIPE HEALTHY

While protein bars are a convenient on-the-go snack, the truth is most store-bought brands are laden with sugar, inflammatory vegetable oils, processed protein powders and shelf-stabilizing ingredients that disrupt both gut and hormone health. Here’s a few reasons why this homemade peanut butter protein bar recipe is a much healthier option.

+ NO REFINED SUGAR

Instead of using processed sugars like cane, brown rice syrup, maltodextrin, agave or artificial sweeteners that can spike your blood sugar and mess with your gut microbiome, this peanut butter protein recipe only uses a small amount of organic maple syrup to sweeten.

+ NATURALLY GLUTEN-FREE AND DAIRY-FREE

Many protein bars contain protein powder made with whey, a type of dairy that many people find difficult to digest, as well as oats that are often contaminated with gluten.

+ A HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN SOURCE

Most conventional protein powder is highly processed and not effectively digested and absorbed by our bodies. In this recipe I recommend using a collagen protein powder sourced from pasture-raised cows without any added hormones. It’s also enzymatically processed several times, which is a fancy way of saying it makes the collagen peptides more bioavailable (for maximum nutrient absorption). **Use code SOGREEN10 to save.

+ HIGH IN NUTRIENTS

While protein bars do contain protein (obviously) many store brought brands lack other nutrients that work to keep our blood sugar balanced, hormones happy and an overall feeling of satiation, hence why most of the time we’re still hungry after consuming. This peanut butter protein bar recipe sneaks in a ton of nutrients to help keep us full and satisfied (see below for details).

+ OPTIMAL BALANCE OF PROTEIN, FAT + FIBER

Unlike most store bought protein bars, this peanut butter protein bar also sneaks in plenty of high quality fats and fiber, that work in tandem with the protein to give our hormones the building blocks they need to do their jobs effectively.

HORMONE BALANCING + HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BAR INGREDIENTS

+ BONE BROTH OR COLLAGEN PROTEIN POWDER

High quality protein is critical for hormone balance, as hormones are manufactured from amino acids, and without them your hormones aren’t be able to function optimally. 

Unfortunately, there’s a lot of junk out there when it comes to protein sources (especially if you’re looking for it in the form of a powder), as most are quite processed and contain inflammatory ingredients like added sugars and shelf-stabilizing chemicals. My favorite clean protein protein powder is this collagen brand, which is rich in gut-healing compounds like glutamine, glycine, collagen and proline that reduce intestinal inflammation and support your thyroid gland.. **Use my code SOGREEN10 to save. 

If you’re looking for a vegan protein option, this clean hemp protein powder is my preferred option!

+ ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER W/ MINIMAL INGREDIENTS

Peanut butter contains a high amount of B-vitamins, which work to support liver detoxification in order to move estrogen effectively out of the body. It’s also rich in zinc, making it an ideal food to add during your period, as it will work to remineralize your blood. Make sure to purchase organic peanut butter without any added oils or sugars.

+ DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate (70% cacao or higher) is rich in magnesium, which helps lower prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that cause cramping. It also supports pituitary health, helping to signal the release of FSH and LH, necessary for a healthy menstrual cycle and fertility. Make sure to choose a brand without any emulsifiers that can disrupt gut and hormone health. This is my absolute FAVE dark chocolate and you can use the code LAUREN to save 15%. 

+ PREBIOTIC FIBER 

This specific type of fiber promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria, which works to optimize digestion and relieve constipation, metabolize fats, regulate blood sugar, manage inflammation and decrease risk factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This is my go-to brand and you can use the code SOGREEN10 to save 10%.

HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BAR RECIPE SWAPS

+ TO MAKE VEGAN PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS

To make this recipe completely vegan, you’ll simply need to pick a protein powder sourced from vegan protein sources such as seeds, nuts or legumes. This is my preferred vegan protein powder brand.

+ TO MAKE PALEO PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS

To make this peanut butter protein bar recipe paleo-friendly, swap the peanut butter for a creamy, organic cashew butter.

+ TO MAKE LOW CARB PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BARS

While these peanut butter protein bars are naturally low in carbs and high in protein, healthy fats and fiber, you can reduce the net carbohydrates by a 1:1 ratio swap of monk fruit for maple syrup. Just note if opting for this version, you’ll most likely need to add a couple more tablespoons of melted coconut oil to mimic the original texture.

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BAR RECIPE HORMONE HEALTH TIPS

+ USE A CLEAN, ORGANIC, UNSWEETENED PEANUT BUTTER

Peanut butter can get a bad rap, but like anything focusing on the ingredients can make all the difference. I always read labels and look for peanut butter without any added sugar or processed vegetable oils like palm/sunflower oil, which cause inflammation and disrupt hormones as a result. This is my go to clean, organic peanut butter brand.

+ FIND THE RIGHT PROTEIN POWDER  

I’ve said it twice and I’ll say it again, there’s a lot of junk out there when it comes to protein sources (especially if you’re looking for it in the form of a powder), as most are quite processed and contain inflammatory ingredients like added sugars and shelf-stabilizing chemicals. My favorite clean protein protein powder is this collagen brand, which is rich in gut-healing compounds like glutamine, glycine, collagen and proline that reduce intestinal inflammation and support your thyroid gland.. **Use my code SOGREEN10 to save. 

+ ADD IN PREBIOTIC FIBER FOR A GUT-FRIENDLY BOOST

Speaking of gut-friendly, I’m a huge fan of adding in prebiotic fiber to these peanut butter protein bars. It doesn’t affect the taste at all, but it does add help promote healthy gut bacteria, which works to optimize digestion and relieve constipation, metabolize fats, regulate blood sugar, manage inflammation and decrease risk factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. This is my go-to brand and you can use the code SOGREEN10 to save 10%.

MORE HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES 

+ FLOURLESS FUDGY PEANUT BUTTER PERIOD BROWNIES

+ SEA SALT + DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER BALLS

+ PEANUT BUTTER HOT CHOCOLATE

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The BEST Healthy Peanut Butter Protein Bar Recipe

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GF

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These healthy peanut butter protein bars taste like a delicious dessert while sneaking in protein + nutrients to boost health & balance blood sugar.

PREP TIME:	TOTAL TIME:
00:00 Mins	01:00 Hours

• Author: Lauren Chambers

• Servings: 8-12

• Recipe Type: dessert, breakfast, snack

• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup organic, unsweetened creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2-4 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup almond or coconut flour
• 1/2 cup vanilla or unflavored protein powder/collagen peptides **Use code SOGREEN10 to save
• 1/2 tsp sea salt + more for topping
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips/chunks **Use code LAUREN to save 15% on my fave brand
• OPTIONAL — 2 servings (approximately 1/2 cup) prebiotic fiber for a gut-friendly boost **Use code SOGREEN10 to save

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and melted coconut oil (start with 2 tbsp melted coconut oil to begin, then add more if you need later if the texture is too dry).
2. Add in the protein powder and stir well with a mixing spoon.
3. Add in the sea salt, almond or coconut flour and optional prebiotic powder and stir again until the mixture is well-combined. The texture should be thick and slightly dry, mimicking that of a cookie dough. If it’s too sticky or wet, add more almond/coconut flour. If it’s too dry and crumbly, add more melted coconut oil.
4. Once you’ve achieve the desired texture, press evenly into an 8×4 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper.
5. Melt your dark chocolate chips or chunks in a microwave safe bowl for one minute, then stir until smooth and creamy. Pour evenly over peanut butter layer.
6. Top with flaky sea salt and store in the fridge for a minimum of one hour before slicing into square bars and serving.

Notes

*Store in an air-tight glass container in the fridge for up to one week or keep in the freezer for 2 months.

**It’s important to keep these peanut butter protein bars cool (i.e. stored in the fridge) as they will begin to melt at room temperature.

***I love eating in the morning as a quick breakfast or on-the-go snack, as well as a healthy after-dinner treat to satisfy my sweet tooth. I’ll also pack them in my toddler’s lunch.

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