I don’t know about you, but paying $4 for a single protein bar puts a bit of a strain on my wallet. Especially when I like eating them on a regular basis.
So I came across an article on eHow.com, on how to make your own protein bars. It just gave a general outline, so I printed it out and got to work. I tried several different methods and many different ingredients.
The main thing I found is that the oats you use make all the difference. And it really comes down to personal preference.
If you like a harder, chewier bar, use old fashioned oats (not the quick cook kind). But if you use these, be prepared to let the bars sit for a few days in an air tight container before you eat them. Otherwise, it’s very similar to chewing hay (not that I chew a lot of hay, mind you, it’s just the image that came to mind when I tried these bars with the rougher oats).
If you like a softer bar (which I do), then use quick cook oats (the 3 minute kind).
Other than that, the recipe is pretty basic and very easy.
Clean Eating Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
(Makes 15 bars)
Ingredients:
- 2 cups oats – roasted in the oven without oil for 10-15 minutes
- 1 cup peanut butter (no sugar added)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup apple sauce (unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons grain sweetened chocolate chips
- 1 cup whey protein powder (unflavored or vanilla)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. (I ended up having to knead it by hand. The dough was pretty thick)
- IMPORTANT: BE SURE your oats have cooled down completely from being roasted or they will totally melt your chocolate chips.
- Spread out the batter on a cookie sheet or other baking dish (I used a half sheet here).
- Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes, or until the bars are a nice golden brown color.
- Cut and allow to cool. Store in a Ziploc bag or Tupperware container.
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