Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Protein Bars (Vegan+GF)
These chocolate-coated bars make the perfect post-workout (or anytime) snack. A mixture of grains and lentils is all it takes to make these bars chock-full of healthy proteins. Chocolate and peanut butter, for the win!
Prep Time45minutes
Cook Time35minutes
Total Time1hour20minutes
Servings16bars
Ingredients
For the Protein Mix:
2cupswater
1/4cupuncooked lentils
1/4cupuncooked brown rice
1/4cupold steel-cutrolled will work too
For the Bars:
1cupnatural peanut butter
1/4cupturbinado sugar
1/2cupdried figs or dates
1/2teaspoonsalt
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
1/2cupcoconut milk
2/3cupoat flour
For the Chocolate Coating:
1/2cupcoconut oil
1/2cupmaple syrup or agave nectar
1/4teaspoonsalt
1/4cupcocoa powder
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
Combine lentils, rice, and oats with water in a medium saucepan with lid. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 25-35 minutes, stirring often, until liquid is absorbed and the rice is soft. Add more water during cooking if needed.
Once completely softened, cool for about 15 minutes. Grease a 13x9-inch baking pan with oil and set aside. Pour mixture into a food processor or blender and pulse until smooth.
Add all remaining ingredients for bars except oat flour and blend until well combined. Add flour and pulse a few times until mixed, you should have a thick dough now. Press mixture into prepared pan and place in freezer for at least 1 hour or until frozen solid. Remove pan from freezer and cut into desired size bars.
Combine coconut oil, syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat and stir until melted. Add cocoa and vanilla and stir until smooth and remove from heat.
Dip bars in coating and place on a parchment lined tray about 1 inch apart to dry. Place tray in freezer for about 15 minutes until coating is solid. These bars are very soft at room temperature so they are best stored in the refrigerator and served cold.
Recipe Notes
Will keep for up to 2 weeks in refrigerator or they can be frozen for longer storage.