Fruit & Nut Protein Bar

If you’ve read this blog for any amount of time, you already know that I greatly dislike protein powder. You’re not ever going to catch me drinking a protein shake. Ever. (It would at least take some pretty serious convincing).

With that being said—I’m fully aware that proper amounts of protein is essential for muscle recovery and growth. I’m also aware it’s fairly difficult to get the proper amounts of proteins without some sort of supplementation. My way to get around it is to find or create recipes that use protein powder. I’ve found that when I add it to foods, it’s really not so bad after all.

I can’t take any credit for this recipe because the whole concept behind it came from the Cooking with Coconut Oil Cookbook. I simply tweaked the recipe to my liking, added some ingredients and took some away.

I’ve been chomping down on one of these in the mornings before heading to the gym, and I take a few with me to work just incase I start to crave something sweet. I don’t even know that I would call it a “bar” it sort of reminds me of a cross between and brownie and opera fudge.

Fruit & Nut Protein Bar

Ingredients:

• 6 medjool dates
• 1 1/2 c. almond meal
• 1/3 c. coconut oil
• 1/4 c. natural peanut butter
• 1/4 c. maple syrup
• 1 tsp. coconut extract
• 2 heaping scoops chocolate protein powder
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 c. chopped walnuts
• 1 c. dried cranberries

Instructions

1. Soak the dates in water to soften them (about 20-30 minutes). Drain the dates and add them to a food processor along with the almond meal, coconut oil, peanut butter, syrup & coconut extract. Pulse until smooth.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and put food processor on “dough” setting. Mix until everything is completely combined and looks like a dough.
3. Place ingredients in an 8×8 pan, and using parchment paper, press in to pan evenly.
4. Refrigerate for an hour before cutting in to 12 squares.

Hope you enjoy! Apart from being rich in protein, these protein bars/brownies are the perfect snack for me to munch on during breaks at work. It’s so good to finally come across a recipe that doesn’t require any cooking. I’m scared to cook with dates for some reason!