Low Calorie Protein Bars Recipe
*This is a collaborative guest post
A snack that’s tasty, convenient, and healthy sounds too good to be true, right? You’re probably used to snacks that are packed with sugar and who-knows-which ingredients because when you look at the label, what you see doesn’t look like ingredients but a mathematical formula. That doesn’t sound too healthy and the nutritional value is questionable at best, but let’s be honest – it satisfies your craving like nothing else.
Well… We have something better for you! It’s tasty and good for you, and you won’t need to spend half a day in the kitchen trying to make it! These protein bars are good post-workout, if you need a little pick-me-up during your workday, or if you’re just craving something delicious.
Let’s snack!
Step-By-Step Recipe
Let’s whip up a batch of healthy snacks! We have two versions for you – one for those that prefer fruity snacks and another one for you chocolate lovers.
The first thing to do is to gather all your ingredients. We’re making the fruity snack first, so you’ll need half a cup of oats, 1 cup of low-calorie protein powder, half a cup of almond butter (or any other nut butter), ¼ cup of honey or maple syrup, ¼ cup of almond milk, and ¼ cup of dried fruit (chopped dates, raisins, or cranberries). You can also add 2 tablespoons of nuts or seeds if you have anything you really like, like chia seeds, flaxseeds, or sunflower seeds.
Start with mixing oats with the protein powder in a large mixing bowl and stir it until the mixture is completely even. Next, add almond butter and honey or maple syrup and use a spatula to mix everything together. If it seems too dry, don’t panic, just add some more almond milk until the consistency is thick and sticky. Now that that’s done, you need to add your fruits and mix-ins. Here is where you can get creative and put in anything you like. We recommend a mix of chewy dried fruits and crunchy nuts because the texture these make is delicious but go by your taste preferences.
When your mixture is ready, transfer it to a lined baking dish and press it down until you have one even layer. Pop it in the refrigerator for at least an hour so they get nice and firm, and then cut it up into bars and serve! You can store your bars in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container.
If you’re not too into fruit snacks, we got you covered with a chocolatey option! You’ll need the same ingredients, but instead of fruits, you’ll add ¼ cup of dark chocolate chips and you’ll also need ¼ cup of cocoa powder. The recipe is exactly the same as the one for fruit snacks – mix everything together, refrigerate, cut into bars, and enjoy!
Why Choose Low Calorie Protein Bars?
We all love to snack, but if you go the low-calorie protein bar route, you’ll get a healthy snack that’s full of flavor and nutrients. The protein in them helps your muscles repair and grow, especially if you eat them after your workout.
But where they really shine is weight management – protein satisfies hunger and cravings and keeps you full for longer than whatever you would find in the snack aisle of your local convenience store would. And since there’s a lot less calories in them, you don’t have to feel guilty about eating them, even if you choose something that has a rich chocolatey flavor.
FAQ
Can I add another ingredient instead of the protein powder?
Yes, you can. If you don’t want to use protein powder, you can substitute it for Greek yogurt or mashed beans. Both of these are good sources of protein and they’ll add a creamy texture to your protein bars. Just make sure to adjust the recipe according to the ingredients you’re using.
Conclusion
There’s a really common misconception that healthy food is not tasty and won’t satisfy cravings, but that can’t be further from the truth! Sure, there’s healthy food that doesn’t taste the best, but who’s making you eat it?
The next time you want a snack, hit the kitchen rather than a convenience store and make yourself a tasty, healthy snack that is sure to hit all the right spots. And don’t be afraid to experiment – add the ingredients you like, mix-ins and flavors and once you make the tweaks, share the recipe with us in the comment section because we’re always looking to snack on something new!
Do you have a tried-and-true recipe for low calorie protein bars that’s different from ours? How often do you make it and what ingredient is key? Do you have any suggestions on how to make them even healthier?
Snacking out!
