This Snickers salad protein bowl has all the flavors of the classic dessert—apples, peanut butter, and chocolate—with a healthy twist! Packed with 35g of protein, it’s the perfect high-protein breakfast or snack.
If you’ve ever had classic Snickers salad—the one with Cool Whip, pudding mix, and chopped candy bars—I know you’re going to love this healthier recreation.
It’s got all the same creamy, peanut-buttery, chocolatey vibes, just with a boost of protein and ingredients you can feel good about.
This version combines Greek yogurt and cottage cheese (similar to my popular PB&J protein yogurt bowl) with apples, peanut butter powder, and a chopped Barebells protein bar for that candy bar crunch.
I’ve been making this bowl on repeat for breakfast or a sweet post-dinner treat. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Why You’ll Love This Bowl
If you love the idea of dessert for breakfast (but want something a little more balanced), this bowl is for you. Here’s why I’m obsessed with it:
- High protein – It’s packed with a whopping 35 grams of protein thanks to the cottage cheese, yogurt, PB2 and protein bar.
- Tastes like dessert – The combo of creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate and crunchy apples legit makes this bowl taste like the classic Snickers salad.
- Quick & easy – Just stir and serve. It’s ready in under 5 minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings.
Ingredients Needed
- yogurt – I used a 5.3 oz container of Siggi’s low-sugar vanilla yogurt, which adds a thick, creamy base to this bowl, but feel free to use your favorite type of yogurt. Just be mindful about the sugar content because some vanilla yogurts have a lot of sugar!
- cottage cheese – adds creaminess and a boost of protein, making this bowl more filling. My go-to brand is Good Culture low-fat or full-fat.
- apple – you’ll need one apple chopped into bite-sized chunks for this recipe, which gives it that classic Snickers salad crunch. I used a half red and half green apple for color, but you can use your favorite variety of apple.
- PB2 – a powdered peanut butter alternative that offers the rich taste of peanut butter with fewer calories and fat. Feel free to use powdered almond (not almond flour!) or cashew powder instead if you have a peanut allergy.
- Barebells Salty Peanut bar – this adds that classic Snickers flavor, but with a protein boost! You can use your favorite protein bar, but I highly recommend the Barebells Salty Peanut Protein Bar because the flavor is spot on!
- peanut butter – for that final drizzle on top. Adds richness and brings all the flavors together. My date caramel sauce would also be delicious drizzled on top instead of peanut butter.
Easy Recipe Substitutions + Variations
Want to switch it up or make it work with what you’ve got? Here are some easy swaps and fun ideas:
- Have a peanut allergy? Almond butter is going to be the closest flavor wise, so you can swap the PB2 with powdered almond, the protein bar with a peanut-free one and the drizzle of peanut butter with almond butter instead.
- Protein bar swap: Don’t have Barebells? Use your favorite chocolatey or peanut butter protein bar instead!
- Amp it up: Add chopped dates, mini chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of coconut granola on top for even more texture and sweetness.
How to Make a Snickers Salad Protein Bowl
This protein-packed bowl comes together in just minutes — no fancy steps required! Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: In a bowl, add the Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, chopped apple, and PB2 powder.
Step 2: Stir well until everything is well combined. Add the chopped protein bar and give it another gentle toss. Drizzle with peanut butter and dig in!
Brittany’s Tips!
- Chop the apple small: Smaller chunks = better texture and more Snickers-in-every-bite energy.
- Use drippy peanut butter: It makes for a better drizzle and adds that rich, nutty flavor that pulls everything together.
- Serve immediately: This is best fresh, so the apples stay crisp and the textures are just right.
- Want it colder? Pop it in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before serving for a chilled treat that tastes even more like dessert.
How to Store
This bowl is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Just know that the apples may soften and release a bit of juice, so give everything a quick stir before serving. If you’re meal prepping, I recommend chopping the apple right before eating to keep things crisp!
Frequently Asked Questions
I love using a Barebells Salty Peanut Protein Bar for that Snickers flavor, but you can use any chocolate + peanut butter combo bar you like. Quest, ONE bars, or Built Bars would all work.
Yep! Between the Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and protein bar, you’re looking at 30+ grams of protein in one bowl.
Yes, but for best texture, prep the yogurt and cottage cheese base in advance and wait to add the apple and chopped bar until just before serving.
