When To Eat Protein Bars
These protein bars could be a breakfast replacement if you dont have time for a full meal or are a great snack option. I like to have one as an afternoon snack you know, when that 3:00 PM hunger rolls around! But theyre also a great post-workout snack as well. The protein helps repair and rebuild your muscles!
Are These Peanut Butter Energy Bites Easy To Make
My gluten free, no bake energy bites recipe really couldn’t be easier to put together. This simple recipe uses ingredients you probably already have in the pantry and takes about 10 minutes to whip up.
You don’t need any special equipment for this gluten free bites recipe, and the bites themselves are even stable enough to leave on the counter in an airtight container.
Lets Make Some Protein Bars
These are done and ready to eat in less than 30 minutes. Make an entire batch or even double it so that you are set for the entire week!
Recommended Reading: Protein Shake Without Protein Powder
Protein Bar Vs Candy Bar
Chocolate fans please be strong now :). Because compared to chocolate bars, protein bars are simply the better choice.
Homemade protein bars contain less sugar. But lots of healthy fat .
They make you feel fuller for longer, keep blood sugar levels constant and do not contain any artificial additives.
But as with candy bars, don’t overdo it with your protein bar consumption.
Because although the ingredients are healthy, the bars contain a lot of calories. Healthy calories, but still calories.
Purchased bars have only one problem: they are usually packed with preservatives, sugar substitutes, dyes and many more additives that you don’t feel like eating when you’re eating healthy.
Is Making Your Own Protein Bars Worth It
Making your own protein bars has a number of benefits.
In addition to being in control of the ingredient list, you can ensure the bars suit your dietary preferences and personal taste.
Plus, youre able to leave out any ingredients used in commercial varieties that you dont want to eat.
Whats more, making a big batch of protein bars can be more affordable than buying them individually or by the box.
It may not seem like it when you compare the cost of a single protein bar to the cost of all the ingredients it takes to make a full batch at home. However, keep in mind that some of the purchased ingredients will be in quantities large enough to make several batches.
In fact, in some cases, the biggest cost of making protein bars at home can be the time you spend making them.
Another perk of making a big batch at home is that many protein bars freeze well and are easy to integrate into a meal prep routine.
When it comes to downsides, there are only a few.
Although most recipes are quick to prepare simply requiring you to mix together the ingredients and shape the bars it may still take longer than stopping by the closest grocery shop to purchase a pre-made version.
Plus, if youre looking for a product thats shelf-stable for more than a few days and you dont have a freezer or fridge available, a store-bought variety may be a better option.
Also Check: Nutrition Facts On Whey Protein Powder
Why You Should Make Protein Bars Yourself
But there is more that speaks for making protein bars yourself. I have here a small list for all who are not yet convinced of DIY protein bars. At the latest after that you will look closely at purchased fitness bars.
In the meantime you can Protein bar no longer buy only in bodybuilding stores. But also in the normal supermarket or drugstore.
They are available virtually everywhere. But still, there is a lot to be said for making them yourself.
Purchased protein bars are quite expensive. That does not have to be, so I simply rely on the Make protein bar yourself.
Without a lot of frills, without additives, without high costs – but with a lot of love 🙂
What Ingredients Do I Need For These No Bake Protein Bars
Peanut butter- The glue that holds these no bake protein bars together. I typically use natural peanut butter . I just find I like how it tastes better! However any peanut butter or more neutral-tasting nut butter will work! I also love that it adds a source of healthy fats making these the perfect snack!
Coconut oil- This helps give the dough a little more moisture. If you dont have coconut oil on hand you can substitute it for an extra tablespoon of peanut butter.
Protein powder- This helps give these protein bars the protein aspect haha! I like using my favourite protein . If you dont have protein powder on hand you can substitute this for additional oat flour!
Maple syrup- For some natural sweetness! I have only ever used maple syrup for this recipe. If you do try to substitute with honey or any other liquid sweeter let me know how it goes in the comments! You can also use sugar free maple syrup like this one!
Oat flour- I love using oat flour in these for some added whole grains and fibre! It really helps make them the perfect snack and gives that long lasting energy I look for in a energy bar. To make my oat flour I just blend an equal amount of oats in a high powered blender or food processor.
Chocolate- totally optional . To keep these plant-based try these dairy-free chocolate chips!
Recommended Reading: High Protein Breakfast Fast Food
Is This Gluten Free Energy Bites Recipe Healthy
These gf bites make healthy snacks thanks to the nutritional content of the high-quality ingredients you use. Of course, if you’re concerned about a particular health issue, you can always make substitutions to meet your needs.
For example, peanut butter has two times the saturated fat as almond butter. If you’re watching your cholesterol, opt for the latter.
How Many Calories Do These Peanut Butter Energy Balls Have
As this gluten free protein bites recipe allows for so many variations, it’s hard for me to list nutrition / serving size info. But don’t worry, it’s very easy to figure this out yourself!
Just input the ingredients you’ve used into an online calorie counter. Once you have a calorie count for the entire recipe, simply divide that by how many protein balls you made. This will give you a calorie count per ball.
Don’t Miss: Best Protein Sources For Vegetarian
How To Make Protein Bars At Home
Making your own protein bars at home will definitely require a few things. However, its nothing that should stop you, or make you give up on the idea of making your very own protein bars.
The effort will definitely pay off. And do you know whats the best thing about all of it? You dont need almost any tools. Not even an oven.
Grain Free Gluten Free Power Balls
I also have a grain-free version, if the oats are a no-no for you. They’re full of protein, too, just without the grains.
Certified gluten free oats are appropriate on a gluten free diet in the United States. If you’d prefer to make this recipe and would like to replace the oats because you can’t have them or don’t feel comfortable eating them, try replacing the old fashioned rolled oats with beaten rice and the oat flour with quinoa flakes.
We’ve already had a complete discussion of substitutions for oats in baking. Have a look if you’re curious!
Recommended Reading: Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Shake
Vegan Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bars
Serves: 8Nutrition: 200 calories, 11.3 g fat, 2.2 g sat fat, 19.4 g carbs, 1.8 g fiber, 10.5 g sugar, 8.2 g protein
If your favorite sweet indulgence is a chewy peanut butter cookie, this is the perfect protein bar for you. They’re packed with plenty of creamy peanut butter and boast plenty of complete vegan protein to keep you full from lunch until dinner. They’re sweetened with dates and just a touch of maple syrup, so you don’t have to worry about weird sweeteners or sugar alcohols when snack time rolls around.
Get the recipe from One Ingredient Chef.
Peanut Butter Free Gluten Free Bites
If you can’t have peanut butter, almost any other nut butter will do. Almond butter is the perfect substitute, and cashew butter will make a more neutral-flavored energy bite.
The drippy, natural kind is really too soft and won’t hold the bites together very well. Go for the no stir kind, in which the oil doesn’t separate at room temperature.
Also Check: Best Protein Powders For Women
No Bake Banana Protein Bars
Serves: 12Nutrition: 208 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 31 g carbs, 6 g fiber, 8 g sugars, 9 g protein
You won’t miss the astronomical amount of calories and sugar that are usually associated with banana bread when you bite into this protein-packed alternative. Eat one of these homemade protein bars for breakfastthe high fiber content that comes from the naturally sweet, ripe bananas will keep you full and focused through those morning meetings.
Get the recipe fromThe Big Man’s World.
How To Start Your Own Protein Bar Company
There has been no better time to start your own protein bar business than now. This $20 billion market is continuing to grow and consumer behavior is shifting in favor of small, innovative business owners.
Entrepreneurs who are ready to design their own protein and energy bars have several things they need to do first before their business can take off. Below are the key steps to building the framework of a successful protein bar company.
Recommended Reading: Protein Shakes For Picky Eaters
Matcha Green Tea Fudge Protein Bars
Image Courtesy : Desserts with Benefits
Another interesting element for homemade protein bars is Green Tea. It is known for its intrinsic qualities of acting as an antioxidant in the body, healthy bioactive compounds, fat burning, and preventing diabetes. Using Green Tea to make protein bars gives the body enough healthy fat, carbs, fibre, and protein. A subtle, natural green colour is added to the bars with Matcha & Green Tea, which keeps you away from unwanted belly bulges. You can add melted chocolate, but in less quantity, for decoration purposes only.
To Prepare Recipe:
- 1 cup vanilla almond milk
- 1½ tbsp Stevia Extract
- ¾ tbsp Vanilla extract
- 1 + 1/4 cup Brown rice protein powder
- 1/2 cup oat flour
Quick Check: Each bar is loaded with approximately 130 calories, 15g of Protein, 5g Good fats, and 4g of Fibre.
Homemade Protein Bars Last A Week
Ok, the point goes admittedly to the purchased bars. But that’s only because they are preserved with so many additives. This is quite bad for the stomach. Anyone with a sensitive stomach will feel this very quickly.
But even if you make protein bars yourself, you’ll get something out of it for longer. You don’t have to eat all the fitness bars right away. Stored properly, they last up to a week.
The protein bars keep best in the refrigerator. Simply put them in a Tupperware box, put a lid on it and you’re done.
But sporty friends will surely be happy if you do more and spend a round.
Recommended Reading: Premier Protein Cake Batter Delight
Are Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls High In Fat
These peanut butter energy balls are unique in that they are just as much a satisfying snack as they are a sweet treat. The reason they keep you feeling full is because they’re loaded with healthy fats.
As with all foods, moderation is key. GF protein balls do have a fair amount of fat, but they can be part of a balanced diet so long as you monitor your intake.
The Best Protein Bar Recipe
People eat protein bars for a variety of different reasons including muscle gain, weight loss, as a post workout portable snack or meal replacement, to curb hunger or help them feel full longer, as an easy way to add protein to their diet, or simply because they like the taste.
When I became a vegetarian in high school, I initially relied on energy bars as a convenient way to replace protein from meat.
Recently, Ive started to make my own because I prefer bars made with sugar over erythritol or monk fruit and have been seeing fewer of those options available .
The best part about making your own protein bars is that you get to choose every single ingredient Try one of the flavors above, or throw a handful of shredded coconut, chia seeds, or chopped dark chocolate into the dough to make your own custom flavor!
Above watch the video how to make protein bars!
You May Like: How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Vegan Pumpkin Pie Protein Bars
Serves: 8Nutrition: 172 calories, 8 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 20 g carbs, 5 g fiber, 13 g sugar, 8 g protein
With a bounty of benefits like slowing down digestion and helping your skin look younger, we’re always looking for more ways to sneak pumpkin into our diets. These homemade protein bars make it super easy to do just that in the form of a delicious guilt-free snack that keeps you full for hours after devouring it.
Get the recipe from Nutritionist in the Kitch.
Gluten Free Energy Bite Ingredients List
- Old fashioned rolled oats make sure to use a brand that’s certified to be gluten free
- Coconut flakes a delicious, nutritious binder full of healthy fats
- Hemp seeds I like these, but you can also try chia, hulled sunflower, pumpkin, or flax seeds
- Oat flour I just grind oats myself to make this flour
- Salt a must for balancing all the different flavors
- Peanut butter smooth, no-mix peanut butter works best natural peanut butter is usually too runny
- Honey or maple syrup help to bind the recipe ingredients while adding a touch of sweetness
- Vanilla extract just a bit adds such big flavor
- Mini chocolate chips add more sweetness without taking these overboard
Don’t Miss: What Does High C Reactive Protein Mean
The Best Protein Bars
I know that you can just go out and buy protein bars at the store but trust me when I say that these are SO MUCH BETTER. Plus, they arent filled with all of the ingredients that you cant pronounce! These are filled with healthy ingredients like flaxseed and oats. And then you bring in the flavor with your protein powder, honey, peanut butter, and a few mini chocolate chips.
The great thing about these protein bars is that once you have all of these ingredients on hand then you can just make these whenever! Make them ahead of time and use them all week long. They are a great source of protein and actually taste super delicious. You will never go back to your store-bought ones again! You can use these as a midday snack or pair them with a delicious smoothie or oatmeal for breakfast. They only take a few minutes to put together so there shouldnt be anything stopping you!
Ingredients You Need To Make Your Diy Protein Bars
Dry ingredients
- Super fine blanched almond flour + Coconut flour: our favorite paleo and low carb flours we like to use for the right structure in place of white wheat flour.
- Protein Powder: We like NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Pea Protein but you can use your favorite. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference. If you prefer homemade protein bars without protein powder, simply add more coconut flour or use collagen if you prefer.
- Fine Sea Salt: balances out the sweetness and adds amazing flavor.
Wet ingredients
- Unsalted Creamy Cashew Butter: You can also use almond butter or peanut butter for different flavors! Be sure to use drippy or fresh nut butter and not near the bottom of the jar.
- Coconut Nectar Syrup: Feel free to use honey or maple syrup instead. For low carb keto protein bars, use Organic Yacon Syrup, Lakanto Sugar-Free Maple Syrup or another liquid sweetener.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: Or your favorite dairy-free milk of choice.
- Vanilla Extract: balances out the sweetness and makes these paleo protein bars delicious
- Dairy-Free Mini Chocolate Chips: adds extra sweetness and makes them pretty. Be sure to use a paleo or sugar-free brand as needed. We like Pascha, Hu Kitchen Gems or Lilys Sweets. You can also use melted chocolate and drizzle them over the bars if you prefer.
Don’t Miss: High Protein Low Carb Desserts