Homemade Chocolate Protein Bars
Protein bars are such a useful and convenient snack option, especially for those with higher protein needs such as athletes, pregnant women and children. They make for a great pre- or post-workout snack and are perfect for keeping around your office, car or home for a satiating on-the-go snack. Unfortunately, the options for plant-based protein bars in South Africa are limited and the one’s I have found, although delicious, are quite costly and sometimes high in added sugars. I still love to buy these kinds of bars for the odd treat but I find that they are way too pricey to include as part of my weekly grocery haul. And so, I did a quick google search for an easy and cost-effective home-made protein bar with accessible ingredients. I loved this one by Unconventional Baker and after making a few minor adjustments, I thought it would be great to share it with all of you.
I plan to keep experimenting to come up with one that is even lower in sugar for the future so stay tuned.
For my patients on calorie-controlled meal plans:
1 seving (about 40g) =
1 1/2 fruit servings
1/2 protein serving
SERVES 20 small bars
This recipe was adapted from a recipe by Unconventional Baker
Ingredients:
16 medjool dates, pitted
4 cups instant oats
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla essence
4 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp orange extract
70g chocolate protein powder (I used Phytopro Thrive Chocolate)
1/2 cup water
Method:
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and process on “dough“ mode until the mixture forms a ball, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
Line a flat rectangular dish or tupperware with wax wrap and push the protein mixture down into the dish until it becomes a flat even block. You can use a flat object to push it down and help flatten it.
Once the dish is lined, place it in the freezer for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, take the dish out the freezer and pop the filling out onto a cutting board and cut into rectangle pieces. I made about 20 small rectangles from mine.
The bars will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
