I’ve been searching high and low for the “perfect” protein bar without tons of sugar and lasting power…By George, I think I’ve found it!
I’ve been doing the “protein” thing since I was 15. When I first started weight training, I jumped on the “eating clean” bandwagon, which meant lots of protein shakes, egg whites, oatmeal, broccoli, chicken and…protein bars. I ate protein bars like candy. Unfortunately, most “health food” stores where protein powders and bars are sold are really adult “candy shops”–with products masked in labels that claim, “Lots of protein!” Or “Gluten-free.” Or “Heart healthy.” The problem? Many of these products are laced with sugar, sweeteners, chemicals and additives. Until now…
Snack Attack
11 a.m. I had eaten breakfast at 9 a.m….but I was still hungry…and I wasn’t ready for lunch yet. So what’s a gal to do? Listen to her body and grab a snack of course! I happened to have purchased a new snack to try at the grocery store earlier that week: A Bulletproof Protein Bar.
I hadn’t heard much about ’em, but I was impressed with the quality ingredient list in the “convenient” food, so I gave it a go.
The consensus?
Nature’s candy–in my mouth.
The primary ingredients include cashews, cacao, MCT oil and coconut oil. Super simple. And simple=delicious. Trying the bar inspired me to make my own (with sunflower butter in particular, since my tummy can be sensitive to nuts)…
Here’s how it’s going down:
Ingredients
Filling:
raw sunflower butter or almond butter – 1 cup
unsweetened coconut flakes – 1 cup
coconut oil – 1/2 cup, melted
Vital Protein collagen peptides – 3/4 cup
raw honey – 1/4 cup
salt – 1/2 tsp
vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Ouside:
coconut oil – 1/3 cup
raw cacao powder – 1/4 cup
sea salt – pinch
raw honey- 1 tbsp
vanilla extract – 1/4 tsp
Homemade Collagen Protein Bars
Ingredients
Filling:
- raw sunflower butter or almond butter – 1 cup
- unsweetened coconut flakes – 1 cup
- coconut oil – 1/2 cup, melted
- Vital Protein collagen peptides – 3/4 cup
- raw honey – 1/4 cup
- salt – 1/2 tsp
- vanilla extract – 1 tsp
Ouside:
- coconut oil – 1/3 cup
- raw cacao powder – 1/4 cup
- sea salt – pinch
- raw honey- 1 tbsp
- vanilla extract – 1/4 tsp
Directions:
- In a food processor or using a hand mixer, combine the sunflower butter, coconut flakes, and coconut oil. Process until a smooth.
- Spoon the coconut sunbutter mix into a bowl. Add collagen, raw honey, salt, and vanilla. Mix well.
- Spoon the mixture into a glassware baking dish (no stick) or form into a 1/3 inch thick rectangle on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Throw into freezer for 5-10 minutes.
- Concoct your coating: Add all outside coating ingredients to a microwave safe bowl and melt for 1-2 minutes.
- Grab a knife and cut the sunbutter-coconut mix from the freezer into bars.
- Then coat them in chocolate layer.
- Freeze again until bar is set.
- Consume or store in fridge in airtight container.
Boom.