Ok guys, yesterday I decided to try to make some protein bars because you know what? It’s pretty hard to find protein bars that are low in sugar. All-natural energy bars and bites? Easy, in fact I have a few favorites that I’ll share on another post, but high in protein? Very hard to find without being loaded with sugar. I’ve looked everywhere, I’ve spent so much time hitting different spots in the city, reading countless protein bar labels and I’m just astonished at how some (actually most!), have higher sugar content than protein, what the hell? I will admit though, there are some exceptions and I will post about them, but it is very hard to find protein bars that are actually good for you. If you’re just looking at the fat content then let me tell you that you’re reading the label wrong, check the sugar content and see where that sugar is coming from. Is it from natural ingredients? And how about the fiber content? If the fiber content is not higher than the sugar content you might as well just eat a chocolate candy bar because without the fiber you’re not going to break down that sugar efficiently, thus, it will end up being stored as fat.
The story behind this recipe comes from my recent trips to Florida and New York, where I tried SO many different brands of protein bars you wouldn’t believe it! I refused to buy protein powder for just a couple of days so I ended up looking for options and while I found some (basically two), I later found out that they were not exactly available here in Canada.
So I looked everywhere and then one day it hit me, why not make them? I make energy bites and granola all the time, how hard can it be? I looked online for some recipes for inspiration and came up with this, which, I have to say, turned out AMAZING! I seriously can’t stop eating them and if you want a healthy snack that’s actually good for you then you need to make them! There’s only 2 grams of sugar per bar, 2!!! I made them yesterday without the frosting but felt like they needed something to make them “this is so yummy” and not just “ok yummy” you know? Well this healthy frosting takes them to a whole new level and did you read that it is healthy? Oh yes! Keep scrolling for the recipe 🙂
INGREDIENTS:
. 1 cup of oats.
. 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut.
. 4 scoops vanilla protein powder (I like Genuine Health) Get it here.
. 2 Weetabix bars.
. 1/8 cup Hemp Seeds
. 1/8 cup ground chia seeds.
. 1/2 cup almond butter.
. 6 dark chocolate squares cut in tiny pieces (I like Baker’s) but you can use chocolate chips too.
. 1 1/4 cups unsweetened almond milk.
FROSTING:
. 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk.
. 1 scoop chocolate protein powder.
. 1 tbsp. honey.
. 2 tbsp. vanilla extract.
. 2 chocolate squares (grated). I used chocolate because I didn’t have cocoa, but next time I’ll probably try that instead.
METHOD:
. Line a rectangular pan with parchment paper.
. Combine oats, protein powder, seeds, and weetabix.
. Add almond butter and chocolate pieces. Then vanilla and almond milk. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
. Press onto pan and make sure it is as flat and even as possible.
. Refrigerate for at least 30 min.
. In the meantime make the frosting by combining all ingredients.
. Remove pan from fridge and slice into bars (yields 15).
. Coat each bar with frosting and store in the fridge.
Good luck at not eating them all at once, seriously so good!
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: Yields 15 bars | Calories: 142 | Fat: 3.5 gr | Carbs: 10 gr. | Sugar: 2 gr. | Protein: 10 gr.
