Lower Fat Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars
Satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt with these Lower Fat Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars! This wholesome recipe swaps in unsweetened applesauce for some of the fat, while natural reduced-fat peanut butter brings that creamy, nutty goodness we all crave. Whole wheat flour gives these bars a subtle nutty flavor and a boost of fiber, while semi-sweet chocolate chips add just the right amount of indulgent sweetness. Ready in just 35 minutes, these soft and chewy bars are perfect for a healthier snack, a kid-friendly dessert, or a quick breakfast treat on the go. Plus, they’re easy to make and can be stored for days—ideal for busy lifestyles. Give these crowd-pleasing bars a try, and enjoy the perfect balance of hearty and decadent!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup Unsweetened applesauce
- 0.5 cup Creamy peanut butter (natural, reduced-fat preferred)
- 0.75 cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 large Egg
- 1 cup Whole wheat flour
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray an 8x8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, peanut butter, and brown sugar until smooth and well combined.
Add the vanilla extract and the egg to the wet mixture and whisk until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, using the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to smooth the surface.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Once cooled, cut into 12 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2083 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 77.2 g | 99% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.0 g | 120% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 220 mg | 73% | |
| Sodium | 1886 mg | 82% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 320.7 g | 117% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 29.0 g | 104% | |
| Total Sugars | 174.7 g | ||
| Protein | 54.4 g | 109% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 237 mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 10.4 mg | 58% | |
| Potassium | 1542 mg | 33% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
