If you have weight loss goals—or simply like to live a healthy, balanced life, protein bars are a simple way to fuel your body with the energy you need to live a life you love. No matter how busy you may be, our recipes are simple enough to execute and easy enough for even the amateur baker to perfect.
The Perfect Peanut Butter Bar
If you like Cliff Bars (and you’re a peanut butter fan), you’ll love this one. It’s packed with rich peanut butter taste, while being surprisingly low in fat. Here’s what you’ll need:
• 1/2 cup of water
• 5 Tbsp. agave syrup
• 3 Tbsp. pretzels, roughly chopped
• 6 Tbsp. powdered peanut butter
• 6 Tbsp. protein powder
• 2 Tbsp. peanut butter chips
• 2 ounces of rice crispy cereal
• 1-2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts, if desired
Start by generously coating an 8-inch cooking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Add the rice crisps to a food processor (blender will work if you don’t have one) and pulse until it’s fine. Add the crisps and the protein powder to a medium bowl and stir. Over medium heat, cook the powdered peanut butter, water, and agave until it begins to boil. Add it to the dry mixture and incorporate well. Pour it into your prepared pan, and sprinkle the peanut butter chips and pretzels on top. Enjoy!
Chocolate Chip Energy Bar
These bars are packed with chocolate delight, as well as being low on the ingredients list. Are you dairy or gluten free? Perfect! So are they! Here’s how to master it:
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened almond or cashew milk
• 1 C. almond butter (you can also substitute for your favorite nut butter)
• 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• ¼ C. brown rice syrup
• ½ C. rolled oats
• 4 scoops chocolate protein powder
• ¼ C. chocolate chips
• 1/8 C. ground flax seeds, optional
Start by lining a 8 X 8 pan with parchment paper. Combine the almond butter, brown rice syrup and almond milk together. Add the protein powder, rolled oats, cocoa powder and chocolate chips (as well as the flax seeds) in with the wet ingredients until well combined. The consistency should take on a cookie dough form. Spread into the pan and press down evenly. Refrigerate for about 45 minutes, slice into bars and enjoy!
These protein bar recipes are easy to keep on hand—especially when the double the recipe, and freeze half for later! When you always have healthy snacks available, it’s easy to stay on track!
