I'm posting this recipe because all too often, we just need something quick and nourishing to eat. Sweet, too. Did I mention we need something sweet? I originally wanted to have a quick snack that I could pack for Georgia in her diaper bag, as I'm trying to avoid the sugar-coated, highly refined foods that are all too often considered snack food. I've had a few people ask me about whole-foods snacks for kiddos, and thus far (I'm only a year in remember…) we've found that these snack options work great for G-baby on the go: – Dried fruit (homemade) cut into little pieces – Raw cheese, cut into little bite-size squares – Cucumber, skin removed, cut into bite-size pieces – Cherry tomatoes, quartered – Grapes, quartered – Soaked whole wheat bread or soaked waffles, torn into little pieces – Soaked & cooked beans (she loves these!) – Bananas, cut into pieces – …and introducing….homemade protein bars! I made these last week and we've all been enjoying them for the past few days (especially G baby…it's like dessert!). They also serve as a perfect snack in Stuart's lunches – quick, easy, & full of goodness. These took me approximately ten minutes to make – next time, I may even double it so we can enjoy them for even longer! Plus, it would save me dishes. Aren't I efficient?!
Homemade Protein Bars You will need: – 2 cups raw almonds (soaked & dehydrated is best) – 1/2 cup ground flax seed – 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened) – 1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter (watch those added ingredients!) – 1/2 cup coconut oil or a melted high-quality butter – 1/4 cup raw honey or rapadura – 1 tablespoon vanilla extract – 2-4 tablespoons cocoa powder or carob powder OR 1 cup dark chocolate chips, melted
Step One: In your food processor, mix together the almonds, salt, ground flax seed, coconut, and peanut butter or almond butter. Pulse, pulse, pulse until just combined.
Step Two: Mix together the coconut oil or butter and vanilla together in a saucepan and gently melt. Then, pour this into the almond mixture…Pulse, pulse, pulse a few times to get it all mixed.
Step Three: Add in your honey or rapadura. If you use honey, the bars will be a little more gooey – though you could increase the amount of almonds & flax slightly to compensate for this. Feel free to decrease the amount of sweetener to your personal taste preferences. Pulse a few more times.
Step Four: Pour the almond mixture into a greased baking pan, smooshing it down with the back of a spoon.
Step Five: After the mixture is spread evenly, sprinkle the top of the bars with either cocoa powder, carob powder, or smear the top with melted dark chocolate chips. Mmmm.
Step Six: Refrigerate the bars for thirty minutes or so to help them set up. Then, cut them to the desired size and enjoy!
Next time I make these, I might even try shaping them into little individual bars on a cookie sheet! Or maybe I'll use a cookie cutter and shape them into hearts! Or clovers! Or rainbows! Ok. I probably won't do that. But what I will do is gladly eat these bars. They are rich in healthy fats and downright delicious. Just my style. Give 'em a try and let me know what you think! As usual, that's an order, not an option. And Amen.
For other great meal ideas, no matter what your dietary restrictions, check out the meal planning service I use: Real Plans.
Homemade Protein Bars
- 2 cups raw almonds (soaked & dehydrated is best)
- ½ cup ground flax seed
- ½ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- ½ cup almond butter or peanut butter (watch those added ingredients!)
- ½ cup coconut oil or a melted high-quality butter
- ¼ cup raw honey or rapadura
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2-4 tbsp cocoa powder or carob powder OR 1 cup dark chocolate chips, melted
In your food processor, mix together the almonds, salt, ground flax seed, coconut, and peanut butter or almond butter. Pulse, pulse, pulse until just combined.
Mix together the coconut oil or butter and vanilla together in a saucepan and gently melt. Then, pour this into the almond mixture…Pulse, pulse, pulse a few times to get it all mixed.
Add in your honey or rapadura. If you use honey, the bars will be a little more gooey – though you could increase the amount of almonds & flax slightly to compensate for this. Feel free to decrease the amount of sweetener to your personal taste preferences. Pulse a few more times.
Pour the almond mixture into a greased baking pan, smooshing it down with the back of a spoon.
After the mixture is spread evenly, sprinkle the top of the bars with either cocoa powder, carob powder, or smear the top with melted dark chocolate chips. Mmmm.
Refrigerate the bars for thirty minutes or so to help them set up. Then, cut them to the desired size and enjoy!
Lyda
I have a fruit nut bar recipe that I love. It’s by far my most requested snack. http://lydaclark.blogspot.com/2011/04/secret-is-out-fruit-nut-bars.html
Jenni at Treacle and Ink
oh my word these look soooo good. isn’t it amazing how easy it is to make healthy homemade snacks? definitely going to try these. consider it pinned!
Jenni x
Jamie
I wanted to let you know that I enjoy your blog so much that I awarded you with the Liebster award.
http://meadowcreek-tobin.blogspot.com/
Jill
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. Hope to see you next week! Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for
Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/09/fat-tuesday-september-27-2011/
Shaye @ The Elliott Homestead
Thank you Jamie!! And thanks for the pin Jenni! 🙂
Liberty
I love these!! I add a teensy bit of melted dark choc to the top – doesn’t add many calories, but sure does make it more dessert-y!
speaking of choc check this out:http://bit.ly/odzYCI
Blessings
Sarah Moorman
Do you know how much protein is in each serving? I’ve been wanting to make homemade protein bars for my boyfriend ever since I convinced him to stop using protein powder for pre/post workout 😉
Marcia
do these to be stored in the fridge??
Shaye Elliott
Yes, well, depending on the heat of your house. During the summer, the coconut oil will melt. In the winter, it may stay cold enough to keep them solid.
Patrica
I can not believe I actually had all the ingredients for this! I don’t know why I bought flaxseed one day, but it seems as though I read it somewhere! I have the not so good peanut butter, & accidentally bought the sweetened coconut! But hay, it’s better than a candy bar I say!
Thanks!
Shaye Elliott
Glad you liked it!
Arianna
Thank you Shaye for this recipe, it is so yummy!!!
AW
I love the recipe, but unfortunately cannot have tree nuts. Do you think it would work with pumpkins seeds or sunflower seeds? Thanks!
Shaye Elliott
Yes! It’d be worth a try!
Dana
In step one it says to add salt but i dont see where it says how much. Eager to try this as soon as i figure out how to soak/dehydrate nuts, thank you for sharing!
Shaye Elliott
Just a pinch 🙂 Thanks for pointing that out – I’ll get it fixed.
Denise
How do you soak/dehydrate nuts?
Shaye Elliott
Check out this post for soaking nuts: https://theelliotthomestead.com/2011/06/soaking-nuts-pastime/
Natalie Smith
This is literally the best protien bar recipe. WAY better than clif bars. Thank you!!!