Chocolate covered apple peanut butter bars are the perfect summer/fall transition recipe. With everyone getting into the fall spirit but the temperatures still in the 80’s, it is so nice to have a freezer treat! These pack in healthy fats, protein and carbs for a well balanced post workout snack or dessert!
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I know I know, long time no blog post! In all honesty, this summer was full of fun and being a busy bee. But also on the other hand, I realized that my ambitious self had taken on one too many side jobs and some things had to be placed on the back burner. Unfortunately, the blog was one of those things. I am currently still working my 8-5 corporate job while finishing up Nutrition school and studying for the personal training certification. Meanwhile also trying to date… which we all know is a true job itself, right??
Anyways, I for sure kept up with the cooking! If you follow my Instagram, you know that the kitchen has welcomed a ton of delicious and easy healthy recipes. Which includes these chocolate covered apple peanut butter bars! They are gluten free and vegan, packed with protein and fats, and tons of cinnamon for flavor. These are truly the perfect combination of fall and summer and trust me, they will not last long.
How do I make chocolate covered apple peanut butter bars?
- Dark Chocolate
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Peanut Butter
- Vanilla Protein Powder
- Coconut Oil
- Maple Syrup
Three Easy Steps:
- The Peanut Butter Layer
In this recipe, you will want to use a peanut butter that’s only ingredients are peanuts and optional salt. These kind of peanut butters are typically very runny and that is the exact texture you will want! You will add a little bit of maple syrup to sweeten them but this is totally optional if you prefer to make protein bars with no sugar. Once the peanut butter and maple syrup is combined, add in the protein powder. If you do not have vanilla, plain or a flavor similar works just as well. This will create a dough-like texture. After that, press the peanut butter layer in a greased or parchment paper lined loaf pan.
2. Cinnamon Apples
While you are making the peanut butter mixture, go ahead and start sauteing up the apples. First, finely dice the apples in a little bit of coconut oil and lots of cinnamon. Cook these apples on low to medium heat until they start to soften up. Once they are done cooking, add them on top of the peanut butter layer evenly.
3. Chocolate Cover
In a bowl, add 1 bar of dark chocolate with a little coconut oil in 30 second increments in the microwave until smooth. The coconut oil will help to make the dark chocolate melt smoothly but regardless, make sure to not keep it in the microwave too long to prevent burning! Once the dark chocolate is melted, pour over the apples and use a spatula to make sure it is even.
How long do they last in the freezer?
Store these in a sealed container for up to 6 months in the freezer or 1 month in the refrigerator. These are best the closer to the day they were made but given the ingredients they are made out of, they last a long time!
Can I make these without peanut butter?
I know that there are many people with peanut allergies but good thing you can use any seed or nut butter! You could even use granola butter as well, which would add a delicious graham cracker like flavor to the bars.
Can I make any substitutions or add more ingredients?
- Peanut Butter: Again, any nut, seed or granola butter will work. Look for ones that are runny so that the ratios work with the protein powder
- Maple syrup: Any liquid sugar will work 1:1. You can increase for a sweeter dessert or leave out for no sugar.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: You can substitute with oat flour 1:1 if you do not have protein powder
- Coconut Oil: Melted ghee or butter would work, but coconut oil is highly recommended.
- Apples: Pears would work just as well! Any kind of apple will work, whether its red, green, gala, whichever you find!
- Dark Chocolate: If you do not like the bitter taste of dark chocolate, either opt for milk or white chocolate.
Need more no bake dessert recipes? Check these out!
- No Bake Cookie Dough Bars
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispies
- Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter and Banana Pretzels
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Chocolate Covered Apple Peanut Butter Bars
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup sub honey
- 1/4 cup vegan vanilla protein powder
- 1 small apple diced
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 bar dark chocolate
Instructions
Peanut Butter Layer
- Mix together the runny peanut butter and maple syrup. Then add in the vegan vanilla protein powder until you get a dough like texture. Each protein powder and peanut butter is different so add in the protein 1 tablespoon at a time
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or grease with coconut oil. Press the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the pan in an even layer
Apple Layer
- In a saute pan, add 1 teaspoon coconut oil, cinnamon and diced apples on low to medium heat. Cook until soft.
- Add the apples on top of the peanut butter layer in an even layer. Lightly press the apples down into the peanut butter layer.
Chocolate Layer
- In a bowl, add the chocolate bar broken up with the last 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Microwave in increments of 30 seconds and stir after each one. Be sure to just melt it enough and not too much to prevent burning. Should be between 1 to 1:30 minutes.
- Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the apple layer. Use a spatula to make sure it is even across the apples.
- Place in the freezer for at least an hour. Cut into 12 squares and keep in a freezer safe container!
Notes
- see blog for substitutions!
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