This was adapted from Jamie Eason’s Cinnamon Swirl Bread recipe, but I made my own changes. I think these are so good! One very important tip. The homemade protein bars have no preservatives in them. So, if you make them you MUST keep them in the fridge or the freezer or they will spoil after one day left on the counter. I learned this the hard way. I usually let them cool then put 4 squares in a Ziploc sandwich bag and stick them in the fridge or freezer. They will be good 4-5 days in the fridge otherwise stick them in the freezer.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups oat flour (I grind my own oat flour in my food processor or blender from old fashioned oats, but if you are in a rush you can just use old fashioned oats instead of oat flour, the bars will just be a little chewier)
- 3 scoops vanilla whey protein (I like MRM brand Rich Vanilla flavor)
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup Stevia in the Raw (you could probably also use Xylitol (Ideal) if you don’t like the taste of Stevia, but I haven’t tried it yet)
- 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (I like Almond Breeze — the 40 calories per serving one)
- One 3.5 oz container of fruit flavored baby food (I used blueberry apple Gerber brand) or 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce if you don’t have baby food handy
- ¼ cup Fage brand 0% Greek yogurt
- 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray an 8 X 8 inch Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.
2. In a large bowl, combine (whisk together) all the dry ingredients.
3. In a medium bowl, combine (whisk together) all the wet ingredients.
4. Once thoroughly blended pour mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients.
5. Mix dry and wet ingredients well.
6. Pour into prepared pan.
7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean when placed in the center. (Mine was closer to the 30 minutes but this will vary depending on your oven).
8. Let cool for 10 min. Bars will be dense.
Nutritional Information:
Makes 16 squares
1 square:
- Calories: 56
- Fat: 1.2g
- Carb: 7.2g
- Protein: 5.4g
- Sugar: 1g
If using as a small meal then 4 squares = 1 serving
If using as the starchy carb in your meal (along with a lean protein source) then 2 squares = 1 serving
These are a tasty, easy, and healthy protein bar that you will love! If you are not a fan of mint chocolate flavor, take a look at my base protein bar recipe and add your own flavors!
