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

No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bites

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Do you feel like having dessert? No problem! With this recipe, you will feel like you are having dessert without the sugar and with tons more protein. Eat these for a quick snack after the gym and it will feel like a nice treat for a job well done!  We also love to take these on our hikes! They are similar to our Four Ingredient Energy Bites but with more protein!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Bites

Ingredients:

• 2/3 c natural peanut butter (we grind our own at our local grocery store)
• 1/3 c unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/4 c gluten-free rolled oats

Directions:

1. Combine natural peanut butter and milk into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for approximately 2 minutes, or until peanut butter is soft and spreadable. 
2. Remove bowl from microwave and slowly stir to combine peanut butter and milk.
3. Stir in protein powder. This step takes a little patience - make sure the protein powder is completely dissolved.
4. Add gluten-free rolled oats and stir.
5. Roll into bite-size pieces and refrigerate for 15 minutes to harden.

Makes approximately 12 bites.