Banana Chip Protein Bars

Who doesn't love the ease of homemade protein bars? Especially, when they are made without added preservatives and extra sugars! We are so excited to share our original protein bar recipe with you today - you (and your kids) will make this one of your favorites on the weekly rotation!

These bars look and taste like cookie cake! You won't believe that you are actually eating a protein bar that is building your muscles - it tastes like dessert! Here's the recipe:

Clean Eat Recipe: Banana Chip Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe medium bananas (think Banana Bread ripe)
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
• 2 egg whites
• 1 TBSP Baking Powder
• 1/4 c almond milk, unsweetened
• 1/4 c natural almond butter, unsweetened
• 1/3 c applesauce, unsweetened
• 1/3 c almond meal (we used Bob's Red Mill Almond Meal/Flour)
• 1/3 c coconut flour (we used Let's Do Organic Coconut Flour)
• 1/4 c chopped (or chips) dark chocolate, 70% or greater

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine all ingredients (except chocolate) in a large food processor to combine.

3. Spray a 9x9 baking pan with olive oil to prevent sticking.

4. Pour 1/2 of the batter into the 9x9 baking pan. Be sure to even the batter with a spatula. Spread 1/2 of the chocolate on top of the layer.

5. Pour the remaining 1/2 of the batter on top of the previous layer, sure to cover the chocolate. Spread the remaining chocolate across the top.

6. Bake approximately 35 minutes.

Recipe should yield 4 to 8 bars depending on your personal caloric needs.

Enjoy!

Trail Mix Protein Bars

It's been a while since we posted a make-your-own protein bar recipe, but rest assured, we have been saving a good one for the right time. And that time is now! Ready, go! Here is our latest concoction - a little sweet and maybe a little more treat (the way it tastes, not the mets!), this will satisfy your sweet tooth AND repair those muscles. Think "Hello" beautiful arms and "Bye Bye" body fat! These are similar consistency (and taste) to Lara Bars.

Eat Clean Trail Mix Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1/3 c raw almonds (not roasted or salted)
• 1/3 c dried, pitted dates
• 1/3 c dried cranberries
• 1/3 c raw sunflower seeds (not roasted or salted)
• 1/4 c raw pumpkin seeds (not roasted or salted)
• 3 TBSP dark chocolate, 70% cocoa or greater

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• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 2/3 c coconut or almond milk
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 egg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Combine the first 6 ingredients into a food processor and pulse/chop until most pieces are broken up and sliced.
3. Add protein powder, coconut or almond milk, honey and egg to the food processor and pulse several times to combine. 
4. Line an 8"x8" baking dish with parchment paper and spread mixture evenly onto the dish.  
5. Bake in oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F. 
6. Allow bars to cool in your refrigerator for 45 minutes to 1 hour to harden and "set."

A few things to note:

• Step 1 is VERY loud! You may want to think twice about doing this after just putting the baby down - personal experience!
• Bars do not have preservatives and must be refrigerated to last more than a few hours. Bars will stay in refrigeration for approximately 2 days. (Make a half batch if it's just you!)
• These are higher in fat than our other bars due to the fact they are made primarily with nuts. These should count toward your healthy fats for your day.

Recipe makes 12 bars.

Metrics per bar:

• Calories: 193
• Protein: 7g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fat: 11g

Homemade Clean Granola Bars

The thought of making my own granola bars sounded incredibly daunting before I actually tried it! I had attempted once before, but was only partly successful. After spying a recipe on Pinterest and stalking it several times over the last few weeks, I decided to give it a try and voila! Success!  If I can do it, so can you!

Homemade Clean Granola Bars

Adapted slightly from TurtleWoman

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c Rolled Oats
• 1 c Chopped Almonds
• 3/4 c Milled Flaxseed
• 1/4 c Untoasted Sesame Seeds
• 1/2 c Honey
• 1/4 c Stevia in the Raw)
• 4 Tbsp Coconut Oil, Softened
• 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract (avoid HFCS)
• 1 c Unsweetened Dried Cranberries
• 1/2 c Unsweetened Dried Shredded Coconut
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Combine oats, almonds, flax and sesame seeds in a large bowl. Once combined, spread on a large baking sheet (preferably with sides so you don't lose any of your mixture in the oven or on the floor - trust me... it happened!) and pop in the oven for approximately 20 minutes to toast. Stir about every 5 minutes to prevent burning.

2. In a microwave safe bowl, combine honey, stevia, coconut oil and vanilla. Microwave on high for 1 minute, remove and stir. Place bowl back in microwave for approximately 30 more seconds to help the assimilation of the stevia into the mixture. (Mixture will boil in microwave.)

3. In a large bowl, combine dried cranberries, shredded coconut, cinnamon and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.

4. Once the oat mixture is done toasting, combine with the cranberry coconut mixture.

5. Add honey mixture the dry ingredients and combine until all ingredients are wet. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT - Just keep stirring! Wooden spoons are great for this step!

6. Using your baking sheet, now lined with wax paper, gently spread the mixture evenly. Place another piece of wax paper on top so that you can press the mixture into itself, as well as level off the top.

7. Place in refrigerator for at least 2 hrs to harden.

8. Using a pizza slicer, cut into 21 bars. Enjoy!

Makes 21 servings

Mets: 

• Calories - 174
• Protein - 4g
• Fat - 10g
• Carbs - 20g
• Sugars - 8g
• Sodium - 57mg

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Happy Snacking!