Name: Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars - Better than Reese's?
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: ⅔ cup Rolled Oats (60g); ¼ cup Almond Flour (20g); ¼ cup Unflavored Protein Powder (22g, see post for subs); 2 Tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa (10g); 3 Tbsp Maple Syrup (Sugar-free recommended below, 45ml); ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder (22g); ¼ cup Peanut Butter Powder (24g); 2 Tbsp Creamy Peanut Butter (32g); 2 Tbsp Almond Milk (30ml); 1 Tbsp Chocolate Chips (Sugar-free recommended below, 15g); 2 Peanut Butter Cup Candy (Sugar-free recommended below)

Soft and chewy Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars with all the chocolate and peanut butter flavor, and topped with chopped PB cups, but gluten free, sugar free and high protein; A much healthier and better option than Reese’s candy!

Jump to Recipe

These layered protein bars just look kinda nice for side shots, so I tried to think of what “real world” candy or dessert I wanted to remake. I did the Twix and Snickers before, and so time for the next popular candy with layers lol.

And plus chocolate and peanut butter is just such a good combination that it had to happen sooner than later I think.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cup Bars Recipe:

These protein peanut butter cup bars are made with simple healthy ingredients, have no sugar or milk, making them the perfect homemade gluten free, dairy free and sugar free protein bar!

Instant or Rolled Oats
Unflavored Protein Powder to replace some of the flour (and carbs) in the recipe for a slightly lower carb high protein. I use the Multi-purpose mix protein powder from Quest Nutrition.
Vanilla Protein Powder for high protein magic cookie bar, and also replace the sweetener.
I recommend Protein World Slender Blend or ProteinWorld Whey for this recipe to keep it sugar free; Use the code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount.
Another option would be Quest.
Almond Flour
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Sugar free Maple Syrup for low calorie protein bar with no sugar!
I use the sugar free monk fruit maple syrup from Lakanto (code HAYLSKITCHEN gets you a discount)

The Peanut Butter Protein Mix

These magic cookie bars without condensed milk use a thick protein shake as a binder for the top layers.

Vanilla Protein Powder for high protein peanut butter mix.
I recommend the same here too: Protein World Slender Blend or ProteinWorld Whey; Use the code HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount.
Another option would be Quest.
Peanut Butter Powder, also known as Powdered Peanut Butter. I recommend Lakanto for a sugar free version (the code HAYLSKITCHEN gives you a discount). Or you could use the one from PbFit too.
Creamy Peanut Butter
Almond Milk

And all the chocolate peanut butter cup topping:

Sugar free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups candy. I use the one from Lakanto (code HAYLSKITCHEN gets you a discount)
Sugar free Chocolate Chips to make this a magic protein bar with no added sugar. I use the ones from Lakanto here (HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount here too). Another option is Lily’s Chocolate Chips.

How to make Homemade Reese’s Protein Bars with Protein Powder

These high protein copycat Reese’s bars are extremely easy to make, with just making one layer at a time.

First prep a 7 x 5” pan or loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper.

Chocolate Base

Process the oats, unflavored protein powder, vanilla protein powder and cocoa powder in a food processor.

Transfer to a bowl, add in the maple syrup and mix. You will have a thick mixture.

Press it down in the prepared pan.

Peanut Butter Protein layer

Whisk the vanilla protein powder, peanut butter powder, creamy peanut butter and milk in a bowl; You should have a thick mix;

Spread the protein peanut butter over the chocolate base.

Peanut Butter Cup Candy Topping

Melt chocolate chips in the microwave (in a bowl of course) for about 45 seconds, stirring at intervals.

Spread melted chocolate on peanut butter protein bar layer.

Chop the sugar free Peanut butter cup candy into pieces; Sprinkle on peanut butter cups on chocolate topped protein bar.

Freeze about 10 minutes until slightly hardened.

Slice into 6 bars.

To store High Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bars

To store homemade protein Vegan Reese’s protein bars, place in an airtight container and keep on the counter for up to 3 days.

Keep these homemade peanut butter protein bars refrigerated or in the freezer so they stay fresh and last longer. They keep in the fridge for up to a 1 week.

To freeze, place peanut butter chocolate protein bars in airtight sealed container, or individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in zipper bag; They should keep for 2 or 3 months. Be sure to let them thaw on the counter before eating!

Alternatives for Healthy Peanut Butter Cup Bars!

I made these sugar free and gluten free and low fat chocolate peanut butter layered protein bars with this particular ingredient list, but here’s some healthy options to choose from.

Unflavored protein powder: Unflavored Collagen, or even Almond flour or Oat flour
Sugar free Maple Syrup: Regular maple syrup or Honey, but they won’t be Vegan or a no sugar recipe anymore.
Peanut Butter Powder: Creamy peanut butter, but reduce the milk; start with adding just a little at a time
Almond Milk: Regular milk or other non dairy milk

More Homemade Layered Protein Bars to try!