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DIY Protein Bars (Three Ways)

Three homemade protein bar recipes: baked muesli bars, no-bake real fruit bars, and no-bake cranberry-orange bars.

Muesli Bars

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups quinoa flakes
  • ½ cup nuts, chopped
  • ¼ cup seeds
  • ¼ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
  • ½ cup vanilla protein powder, sweetened
  • 1 large egg
  • ⅔ cup plain nonfat Greek yoghurt
  • ⅓ cup nut or seed butter, unsweetened
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • ½ cup dried fruit

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Line an 8 inch (20 cm) square pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
  3. Spread the quinoa, nuts, seeds and coconut on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool.
  4. Combine the quinoa mixture with the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended.
  5. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan and bake for about 14 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
  6. Cut into 12 bars.

Real Fruit Protein Bars

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried fruit
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1½ cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup vanilla whey protein powder
  • 3 tbsp low-fat milk
  • 2 tsp finely grated lemon or orange zest

Instructions

  1. Line a 9 by 5 inch (23 by 13 cm) loaf pan with cling film and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Combine the dried fruit and warm water in a small bowl. Let stand until the fruit is soft, about 5-10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
  3. Place the oats in a food processor and process to a fine powder. Add the fruit, protein powder, milk and zest. Process, using the pulse mode, until the fruit is finely chopped and the mixture begins to clump together on the sides of the bowl.
  4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a piece of cling film (coated with nonstick spray) on top and use it to flatten the mixture evenly; leave it in place. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  5. Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan onto a cutting board. Uncover and cut into six bars.

Cranberry-Orange Power Grab Bars

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup nut or seed butter
  • 1⅓ cups low-fat milk
  • 1⅓ cups vanilla vegan protein powder
  • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
  • 2 tsp finely grated orange zest

Instructions

  1. Line an 8 inch (20 cm) square baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a food processor, process the oats into a fine powder.
  3. Add the nut butter and milk to the processor and pulse until smooth.
  4. Add the protein powder and pulse until incorporated, scraping the sides and bottom once or twice. Stir in the cranberries and orange zest.
  5. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a large piece of cling film (coated with nonstick spray) on top and use it to spread and flatten the mixture evenly. Cover and refrigerate overnight until very firm.
  6. Using the liner, lift the mixture from the pan onto a cutting board. Uncover and cut into eight bars.

Source

Adapted from: 3 Protein Bars You Can Make At Home - Men's Fitness