Reese’s Pieces Protein Bars
These Reese’s Pieces protein bars come together in one bowl with no baking, no food processor, and just a few pantry staples! Oats, peanut butter, honey, protein powder, and chocolatey mix-ins get stirred together, pressed into a pan, and chilled until set. That’s it.
Each bar has about 8 grams of protein and just 188 calories, making them a sweet, satisfying option for lunchboxes, post-workout snacks, or anytime you want something that feels like a treat but actually holds you over!
Ingredients
Looking for the printable recipe card? It’s at the bottom of this post! Do read through the coming sections though, where I’m sharing more about the recipe including photos from the process and extra hints and tips to help you to create the best results!
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Rolled oats — Give the bars structure and make them filling without needing a food processor.
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Chocolate protein powder — Adds the protein boost and deepens the chocolatey flavor.
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Creamy peanut butter — Holds everything together and delivers that classic peanut butter richness.
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Reese’s Pieces — The fun part. They add crunch, color, and that unmistakable peanut butter candy vibe.
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Mini chocolate chips — Melt slightly into the bars and add little pockets of chocolate throughout.
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Honey — Naturally sweetens the bars and helps bind everything together.
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Water — Helps loosen the mixture so it presses easily into the pan; add more as needed to get the right consistency.
How To Make Reese’s Pieces Protein Bars
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Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper so the bars don’t stick.
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Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined. If the mixture feels too dry or crumbly, add a little water, one teaspoon at a time, until it comes together.
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Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
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Cover with foil or plastic wrap and chill until set — either freeze for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
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Once firm, lift the bars out of the pan by grabbing the parchment or wax paper and transferring the whole block to a cutting board.
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Cut into 12 bars.
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Let the bars thaw slightly so they’re pliable, then gently press extra Reese’s Pieces onto the tops.
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Store the bars in the refrigerator or freezer and enjoy.
Nutritional Information
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Calories: ~188 kcal
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Protein: ~7.9 g
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Total Fat: ~9.6 g
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Saturated Fat: ~2.5 g
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Carbohydrates: ~17.5 g
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Sugar: ~8.8 g
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Fiber: ~1.7 g
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Sodium: ~35 mg
Nutrition will vary depending on the protein powder and brands used!
Storage & Serving
Store the bars in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
I don’t recommend storing these at room temperature, as they’ll soften too much and won’t hold together as well. These bars are happiest when kept cold.
If frozen, let a bar sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes before eating so it softens slightly.
They can also be enjoyed straight from the refrigerator if you prefer!
Recipe Notes
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These can easily be made into protein balls instead of bars. Just roll the mixture into balls, freeze until set, then store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
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Mixing by hand takes a little muscle. To make it easier, warm the peanut butter and honey in the microwave for a few seconds before stirring. You can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment on low to medium speed.
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Protein powders absorb moisture differently, so you may need to adjust the liquid. If the mixture feels too dry or crumbly, add more water one teaspoon at a time until it comes together.
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For reference, I used Dymatize ISO100 Whey Protein Powder Isolate (Fudge Brownie flavor) and needed to add two extra teaspoons of water.
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You can swap in crunchy peanut butter or other nut butters, just keep in mind this will change the moisture level. Almond butter, for example, is much wetter than regular peanut butter, so you may need to add more oats or reduce the liquid slightly.
Mix-Ins
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Regular chocolate chips can be used if you don’t have mini ones on hand. They’ll just be a little less evenly distributed!
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Other great mix-in options include raisins, dried fruit, chopped nuts, crushed pretzels or graham crackers, white chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, mini marshmallows, or dehydrated marshmallows.
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You can also add chia seeds or flax seeds for a nutrition boost.
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Keep in mind that some mix-ins will affect the moisture level, so you may need to slightly adjust the oats, honey, or water to keep the bars from being too dry or too soft!
Serving Ideas
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Pack one of these bars in lunchboxes for an easy, protein-packed treat that still feels fun.
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Keep a few in the fridge for after-school snacks or busy afternoons when you need something quick.
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Grab one as a post-workout snack or mid-morning pick-me-up that actually holds you over.
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Pair a bar with fruit or yogurt for a simple on-the-go breakfast or light lunch addition.
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These are also great to keep stashed in the freezer so you always have a snack ready!
Reese's Pieces Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup chocolate protein powder
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup Reese’s Pieces plus extra for topping if desired
- 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips
- 4.5 tbsp honey
- 4.5 tbsp water plus extra if/as needed
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper so the bars don’t stick.
- Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined. If the mixture feels too dry or crumbly, add a little water, one teaspoon at a time, until it comes together.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
- Cover with foil or plastic wrap and chill until set — either freeze for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
- Once firm, lift the bars out of the pan by grabbing the parchment or wax paper and transferring the whole block to a cutting board.
- Cut into 12 bars.
- Let the bars thaw slightly so they’re pliable, then gently press extra Reese’s Pieces onto the tops.
- Store the bars in the refrigerator or freezer and enjoy.
These Reese’s Pieces protein bars are proof that easy snacks don’t have to be boring. They’re quick to make, easy to stash in the fridge or freezer, and just sweet enough to feel like a treat while still doing the job. Whether you’re packing lunchboxes, grabbing a post-workout bite, or just need something sweet that actually fills you up, these are a solid go-to to keep on hand! Let me know if you try them! Your feedback is so important to me, and it helps me to create and develop new recipes that you’ll love making at home. Enjoy!
