Homemade protein bars anyone?

lporter229

Does anyone make their own protein bars? I tried a recipe over the weekend that used whey protein powder and the results were very disappointing. Not only that, when I put it into the recipe builder, it only came in at 7g of protein per serving.

I would like to know if anyone has any good recipes for protein bars that have at least 15g of protein with less than 250 calories? I am gluten free, but I can adapt with GF flour if necessary. TIA!

shinycrazy

I've done these in the past and enjoyed them. They are close to your criteria, but not perfect. There is a couple down sides. They need to be refrigerated. I know this is a deal breaker for many, but they worked for me since i have a fridge at work. Also, they are soft and kinda sticky, make sure you have water with you! I know I'm not selling this much right? I liked the base and you can make them into any flavor you like really. I like them because the carbs are a lot less than store bought and much cheaper. Good luck.

Edited to add: It doesn't say, but the almond milk in the recipe is unsweetened.

RoxieDawn

We really really like these. My husbands eats these before his workouts and even after his workouts with coffee (yep wierd). But they really are good and different.

5 Ingredients
1 scoop Whey Protein Powder (I used Dymatize ISO-100) Vanilla or Chocolate
1 cup Special K Protein Cereal (measured and crushed) or you can use Granola of your choice
3 tablespoons Jif All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter or Creamy Peanut Butter of your Choice
1 1/2 Tablespoons Aguave (I use light aguave)
1 – 2 ounces of choc chips of your choice, melt to drizzle over bars after cutting into bite size bars.

Note: You can use chocolate of your choice such as sugar free, semi sweet, and can use flavored almond bark (white and chocolate).. I use either almond bark (both white and chocolate) or Hershey's sugar free (what ever I have on hand)

Depending on your protein of choice (how dense it is when mixed with other ingredients, you may use up to a ½ cup (my protein powder scoop is about ½ cup). Also feel free to add additional peanut butter and agave to get the mixture into a sticky structure that you will press and it hold together (sort of like making no bake granola bars)

Mix all the ingredients together, so that it does not contain chunks (if all the chunks are not out, it will break apart).

Flatten into a lined pan with non stick proof alumina foil, parchment or wax paper, smooth out the edges.

Freeze for 30 minutes or longer. This will allow to lift it out of the pan to cut. Cut into bite size bars (OP you can make these regular size bars or any size you want to come out to 250 calories or less)

Melt your chocolate of choice and drizzle over each bar. You can coat just the top.

Ready to eat it is recommended to keep these in fridge (keep out of humidity) as it will stay fresher and last longer that is unless you are like me, you don’t want to eat them all right when you make them.

Depending on the protein powder, if you use protein cereral vs granola the calories and protein content will differ.

lporter229

@shinycrazy -Do you bake them?

shinycrazy

lporter229 wrote: »

@shinycrazy -Do you bake them?

Nope, which was something I like about them. I layer a 9x13 with parchment paper, spread dough best I can. Add another sheet of parchment on top to really get it spread out and even. Place in the fridge to chill. Then I slice with a very sharp knife leaving the parchment in place like "wrapper". Sorry I should have added this bit.

AnarchistKitchen

Here's a protein bar recipe. These use vegan protein powder but you could easily use any protein powder. These are a quest style protein bar (recipe is at the bottom). Macros are good too.
https://richbitchcooking.wordpress.com/2016/11/25/vegan-bars-energy-power-protein/

haydenfisher24

Guys this is awesome. First time on this community part of MFP and I find this. Haha AWESOME.

Christine_72

I've posted this recipe so many times, but have yet to try it. I'm kitchen lazy and still buying my protein bars.

in sauce pan combine 1/2 cup preferred milk & 8 tblsp peanut butter & 1 tblsp+ honey. Warm up on low heat to melt & add cinnamon & 1 1/2 cups protein powder of choice (vanilla or chocolate peanut butter are great). Add uncooked oats & mix. Place in waxed 9x9 or other pan & pat firmly & freeze for 20 minutes. Then cut and pre-package servings. Calories and fat can be determined by you by adding any extras such as a handful of raisins & or top with a sprinkle of choc. chips or coconut or dried fruit/nuts/flax seed/chia seeds etc. Options are endless!

GottaBurnEmAll

shinycrazy wrote: »

I've done these in the past and enjoyed them. They are close to your criteria, but not perfect. There is a couple down sides. They need to be refrigerated. I know this is a deal breaker for many, but they worked for me since i have a fridge at work. Also, they are soft and kinda sticky, make sure you have water with you! I know I'm not selling this much right? I liked the base and you can make them into any flavor you like really. I like them because the carbs are a lot less than store bought and much cheaper. Good luck.

Edited to add: It doesn't say, but the almond milk in the recipe is unsweetened.

That's very similar to what I do. Sometimes I doctor mine up with additional liquid Splenda because I like things on the sweet side. I find they're less sticky with a whey/casein blend.

The basic almond milk/coconut flour/protein powder idea can really be the starting point for anything. You can use any flavor of protein powder and mix in so many different things.