Posted: 9/16/25
Updated: 8/19/25
These rich Pistachio Bars are loaded with dark chocolate and protein for the perfect meal prep snack! It tastes like trendy Dubai chocolate but keeps you fueled like a classic protein bar.
Delicious dark chocolate and hearty oats meet creamy pistachio butter in these amazing Pistachio Protein Bars! Each one is exploding with decadent flavor but provides a nice little nutrient boost to get you through your day. This meal prep snack is ideal for busy days, post-workout recovery, or anytime you need to satisfy that sweet tooth without sacrificing your nutrition.
With just a handful of ingredients, these easy no-bake pistachio bars come together quickly and store beautifully — It’s the perfect recipe to add to your meal prep rotation! Whether you’re obsessed with the Dubai-style desserts you see on TikTok or just need to switch up your protein snack routine, you’re going to love this one!
Want to stock the freezer with multiple flavor choices? Try this version for mocha lovers or this one that tastes like a cinnamon roll!
Why you will love this snack
- Quick & Easy: There is no cooking involved, just a little work with the food processor!
- Great for Meal Prep: These last a week in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. It’s easy to double or triple the batch and stock up on delicious snacks you’ll love.
- Wholesome & Tasty: These ingredients strike the perfect balance between indulgent dessert and responsible snack bar. Great for those with a sweet tooth!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Protein powder: Use your preferred powder that fits your dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, low-carb, dairy-free, etc.). I used vanilla, but chocolate flavor would also work well.
- Rolled oats: Also known as Old Fashioned Oats. Avoid steel cut oats as they are much chewier or instant oats as those are much mushier.
- Pistachio butter, tahini, honey, and coconut oil: This combo helps bind the bars together. Honey could be replaced with maple syrup or any other liquid sweetener.
- Pistachios and dark chocolate: These (along with the pistachio butter listed above) are what help bring out the same beloved flavors in a Dubai chocolate bar! Use the best quality dark chocolate you can get.
- Optional topping: Good quality dark chocolate, coconut oil, chopped pistachios, and sea salt
How to make pistachio bars
- Pulse dry ingredients- Add the protein powder and rolled oats into a large food processor with a steel S blade. Blend for 1 minute, until oats are powdery and fine.
- Add remaining ingredients- Add pistachio butter, tahini, honey, pistachios, dark chocolate, and melted coconut oil to the food processor. Blend for another 30 seconds, or until mixture is well combined.
- Check consistency- Fold some of the mixture in your hand; it should form a ball and not crumble. If the mixture is crumbly, add water and process again.
- Press – Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment, and press the protein bar mixture into the pan until smooth across the top.
- Optional Topping: Slowly melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is smooth, pour it over the bars, tilting the pan back and forth so that it forms a thin, even covering over the top of the bars. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios and sea salt.
- Chill – Move the pan to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours or place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Easy Protein Bar FAQs
Any type or flavor protein powder can be used; you should choose the one that best fits your dietary needs and taste preferences. I used a vanilla whey protein powder.
Sure! You could cut these into 24 or more pieces if you want a lower calorie treat. You could even roll into a ball, but that does take more time.
Storage
These peanut butter protein bars keep super well in the fridge or in the freezer!
- Fridge: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days; due to the coconut oil, I don’t recommend leaving them out at room temperature for too long.
- Freezer: wrap loosely in parchment paper and store in a larger bag or meal prep container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Bars
This no bake protein bar is packed full of pistachio and dark chocolate flavor for a meal prep snack that tastes more like dessert!
Instructions
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In a 7 cup or larger food processor fitted with a steel S blade, add the protein powder and rolled oats. Blend for 1 minute, until oats are powdery and fine.
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Add pistachio butter, honey, tahini, pistachios, melted coconut oil, and chocolate to the food processor. Blend for another 30 seconds, or until mixture is well combined.
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Fold some of the mixture in your hand; it should form a ball and not crumble. If the mixture is crumbly, add 1-2 teaspoons of water and process again.
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Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment, and press the protein bar mixture into the pan until smooth across the top. Then chill for 2 hours (or freeze for 30 minutes). Once it has set, slice into 12 even bars.
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OPTIONAL TOPPING: Slowly melt the ⅓ cup of dark chocolate with the coconut oil (30 seconds in the microwave, then stir). Once the chocolate is smooth, pour it over the mixture pressed into the lined pan. Tilt the pan back and forth until the chocolate evenly covers the top of the bars. Sprinkle with pistachios and sea salt.
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Place pan in the fridge and chill for two hours or in the freezer for 30 minutes. Once set, remove and slice into 12 equal bars.
Tips:
Nutrition value WITHOUT optional topping:
Calories: 365, Carbohydrates: 23.9g, Protein: 13.6g, Fat: 21.1g, Cholesterol: 1.3mg, Sodium: 44.3mg, Fiber: 3.4g, Sugar: 12.9
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 bar WITH optional topping, Calories: 407kcal, Carbohydrates: 26.1g, Protein: 14.2g, Fat: 24.6g, Cholesterol: 1.4mg, Sodium: 45.2mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 14g
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