Chris is one of those people who has to really work to make sure he doesn't lose weight. He's also one of those people who sometimes forgets to eat. Sure, those two issues may be related but they are problems I've never, ever had. Ever.
Chris also works out a lot. He lifts heavy weights. He tries to stay fit and moderately buff (Do people still say "buff?"). This is where forgetting to eat gets really, really counterproductive.
He loves smoothies but hates making them himself so he relies on protein bars for quick, filling nutrition. Every morning, before we go to the gym, he has a protein bar, sometimes with a few spoonfuls of peanut butter. He also carries a protein bar with him just in case he doesn't have time to stop and eat an actual meal. I'm sure you can imagine what our monthly protein bar bill looks like.
When Vega sent me some of their items to try, I was excited to find several types of protein smoothie powders. One of them was Oh Natural which basically means it has the most subtle flavor and when mixed with other ingredients, it becomes pretty much undetectable. I had been wanting to attempt making protein bars for Chris that came close to the amount of protein his store-bought bars pack (like, 22 grams per bar!) so I knew exactly what I was going to be making with this new protein powder.
I made a couple versions of this bar, but this one is the most simple and the one that I like the most. If you leave them plain (i.e. No chocolate drizzle or crushed peanut topping), you get about 250 calories and 15 grams of protein per bar. With the chocolate and nuts, you get about 300 calories and 16 grams of protein. Plus, they're delicious and filling. If you're like Chris (and me) and love to have your protein bar disguised by a sweet, but good-for-you treat, then these protein bars are for you!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 10 medjool dates, pitted
- 1 cup Vega Oh Natural Protein Smoothie Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup Brown Rice Crisp Cereal
- 1 bar of Vega Maca Chocolate (or 1/2 cup chocolate chips)
- 1/3 cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Pour the peanut butter, applesauce, and dates into a food processor and process until smooth. Add the protein powder and process until combined and rolls around in one big ball. Taste a little piece and add salt if necessary. Add the brown rice crisps and process until just combined.
- Line an 8x8 baking dish with a large piece of plastic wrap. Place the mixture into the dish and press down until flat. Fold the edges of the plastic wrap over the top of the mixture and refrigerated for about an hour (you can also freeze, if desired).
- Using the plastic wrap, lift the block out of the dish. Cut the block into 8 equal pieces.
- If you wish to top them with chocolate and peanuts, lay the bars out on a cooling rack over a baking sheet. Melt the chocolate in a double broiler (or a glass bowl over a small pot of boiling water). Drizzle over the tops of the bars. While the chocolate is still melted, sprinkle chopped peanuts over the tops of the bars. Place the cooling sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate has hardened. Store them in an airtight container. They will keep for about 10 days. Enjoy!
Notes
To make this nut-free, try using sunflower seed butter or tahini.
Disclaimer: Vega gave me this product to try but the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Protein Bars vs. Protein Smoothies: Which one do you prefer?
Photography by Chris Miller
Beth
These look really good! I haven't tried the Oh Natural smoothie powder yet, but this gives me something to do with it. I like protein smoothies and bars, but it depends on where I am and what I'm doing as to which I pick. If I'm at home, smoothie. If I'm not at home, then it's a bar. I've really been enjoying the Vega One nutrition bars. I keep one in my purse for emergencies.
Caitlin
these looks awesome! i wish i had chris' problems, too...
Emily - It Comes Naturally Blog
I've not managed to replicate something with enough protein as the shop bought bars that my hubby enjoys. For me it's got to be a smoothie - lower fat, unprocessed sugars and more natural than bars.
Amanda
Aaron is the same way with having to make an effort to keep weight on and remembering to eat when he gets swamped at work. Like you, I definitely don't have that "problem"! I'll have to give the Natural Vega flavor a try. We pretty much always buy the vanilla and it can be borderline too sweet. Great photos, by the way. 🙂
Annie
Yep. No problem here remembering to eat - in fact - I try to squeeze extra meals into the day, just cuz I like eating SO much. Definitely I'm drizzling these with chocolate… Great flavors!
Richa
ahh men.. hubbs has the same problem and another problem that even when i make any bars for him we doesnt forget to take those to work. i need to package these in some bright colored things and the problem will be solved:)
Ted
Like so many others, I have no problem keeping the weight on and I probably eat too many protein bars. Sure they're vegan, but they're still somewhat processed and usually have too much sugar. Yours, however, look awesome and, I imagine, are much healthier. I will be making these soon! Thanks for sharing!
kim
i usually don't care for peanut butter, but these look great!
i'm giving away a kitchenaid mixer on my blog! i'd love it if you came by and said hi!:
http://lovintheoven.com/2013/11/dulce-de-leche-espresso-bean-cookies.html
Gabby @ the veggie nook
These look so great! And like so many other women I would kill for Chris' problems 🙂
Heather
These look so awesome Kristy! I too have never suffered from "not gaining weight" or "forgetting a meal" Justin on the other hand could inhale an entire cake and not gain a pound, I on the other hand merely take one sniff and I have an extra 2 pounds on my hips 🙂 I just was not blessed with a super amazing metabolism 🙂
Bobbie {the vegan crew}
These look so fantastic! I hate doing it because they're filled with so much sugar (and they're super expensive at the store across the street from my gym), but a lack of planning ahead often leads me to pick up a post-workout Clif Builder Bar. And it's usually the crunchy PB bar, which makes this recipe especially appealing!
Becky
I have been looking for a great protein bar and I finally found it! These are wonderful and thanks so much for sharing!!
Jane
These are some of the prettiest protein bars I've seen! Not to mention they look so tasty they might even inspire me to add a extra half hour or two on to my morning walk!
Maggie Muggins
I'm baffled that somebody could forget to eat, all I ever think about is food! Ha ha. Protein bars are something I've never attempted to make at home, but I really should since I haven't beed able to find one I really like. These almost look too pretty to eat!
Bex @ VeganSparkles.com
I lurrrrve smoothies but I just showed these photos to Dom and he yelled: "DOWNLOAD IT!" So I think we know which one he prefers. 🙂 They look SO GOOD! xx
Daniel
It's been a while since I last made my own protein bars, but this looks really good.
Love the chocolate drizzle with nuts on top! Great pictures by the way. 🙂
Dana Angela Williams
Wow! The chocolate drizzle nuts on top of the protein bar is so attractive. Thats an amazing info that the peanut butter crunch protein bars fills a meal and helps to balance diet. Here is another one which I came across: http://papasteves.com/ which is Papa Steve's protein bars, an healthy alternative to a protein bar that is made of non gmo ingredients, its gluten free, tastes great and its perishable.
Inez
These look good! I don't always have the best of luck with making any type of protein bars. Would any other vegan protein powder work? I only have Sunwarrior right now!
keepinitkind
I haven't tried it with any other protein powders but it's worth a shot! 🙂
Kasia
This recipe sounds great and I will try it out. Just wondering if rice cereal can be replaced by something else?
keepinitkind
Thanks, Kasia. You can leave them out completely or add some rolled oats. 🙂
Jen
hi! these look absolutely wonderful! but, i'm low on peanut butter - have you tried making these with almond butter before? i can't tell if i'd have to change the proportion because of consistency differences... thanks so much!
keepinitkind
I'm all for experimentation. Give the almond butter a try! I don't think the texture will cause too much of a difference. 🙂
Susan
This look amazing I am always looking for a snack bar that is high in protein that my teenage daughter will love. These just might be the ones!
Katherine
Hi! I just wanted to let you know how much my husband and I love these protein bars! I make a batch every week, and I've pretty much memorized the recipe by now 🙂 I've tried several vegan protein bar recipes, but this is by far the tastiest and easiest recipe I've found and we are hooked!