Since my senior mom has become a picky eater I spend more money on protein drinks and bars than I do on meat. One of my rules is she must eat real food -- unprocessed meat, carbohydrates, and either fruit or vegetables for dinner. At times, it's a struggle. So I buy 30-gram protein drinks and strive for 20-gram protein bars that are low in sugar. They are more costly than real food and not as tasty, but what am I to do?
I found 2 recipes for High Protein Granola Bars. Both are 20 grams of protein per bar, count as real food, and are easy to make. Since the recipes are on multiple websites without credit, I have no idea who created them.
Nearly the same, the 1st recipe requires 5 ingredients and no baking. Add eggs and bake recipe #2:
I. No Bake 5 Ingredient High Protein Granola Bars
Ingredients3 cups rolled oats
1 cup vanilla protein powder
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions
1) In a large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients, oats, and protein powder.
2) In a 2nd mixing bowl, microwave the peanut butter and honey for a few seconds to soften them.
3) Combine the wet with the dry ingredients. You can add a few spoons of water to the mixture if it's too dry.
4) Press the mixture into an 8" by 8" pan lined with parchment paper.
5) Evenly distribute the chocolate chips and press them into the batter.
6) Refrigerate until the bars are firm before cutting with a knife dipped in water (to avoid sticking) into 16 bars.
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II. Baked 6 Ingredient High Protein Granola Bars
Ingredients
1 cup vanilla protein powder
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions
1) Mix the dry ingredients, oats and protein powder.
2) Mix in the eggs.
3) Microwave the peanut butter and honey for a few seconds to soften them and combine them into the mixture.
4) Pour into an 8" by 8" pan sprayed with cooking spray and lined with parchment paper.
5) Distribute and press the chocolate chips into the dough.
6) Bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 10 - 15 minutes. Check and remove when the outside edges start to turn slightly brown.
7) Cool, and cut while still warm into 16 bars.
To bake or not to bake, that is the question. My answer: First try the unbaked granola bars and if you like them go no further. If curious, make the baked granola bar recipe and decide which texture you prefer. Also if you want add-ins like whole almonds, or sunflower seeds, or white chocolate chips, or coconut flakes, or raisins it's up to you. Feel free to dip your baked granola bars into melted dark chocolate with baker's wax if you desire.
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