Wondering what the first three things that most of our clients notice when they start seeing us and changing their diets? First, they notice how we feel about protein…if you want to feel satisfied and prevent overeating, be sure to get some at all your meals and snacks. Second, they notice how they feel so satisfied and are excited and surprised to see how quickly this change in their eating habits helps them to drop a few LBs as they are less hungry later in the day.
So while we’re excited that making protein bars seems to be all the rage these days, we’re equally unexcited that most are so dry and chalky tasting. Well not anymore! A sweet, indulgent concoction boasting both flavor and an awesome texture—these ooey gooey protein bars are too tasty to only be 140 calories! They’re the perfect choice for a low cal, healthy, and mouthwatering dessert especially on those days when you want or need a little longer lasting satisfaction.
As if the decadent taste of the bars aren’t enough, the melted PB & chocolate swirl will send your taste buds right to heaven. Plus, they are so easy to make, the hardest part is only eating one! This luscious bar is an amazing chewy, yet gooey, dessert.
(Psst….Have you seen one of our favorite ways to squash a sweet tooth with these healthy chocolatey date alternatives? You can see the video here. Or have you tried our Chocolate Coconut Chia Balls? Thanks to our sugar tooth, we have combined the science from our years of nutrition education with what actually works for us and for our clients to help you to achieve success with health and fat loss goals! That’s why we also created these waistline-friendly sugar craving busters –like our Skinny Speedy Walnut Oatmeal Cookies and our White Chocolate Drizzled wild Blueberry Granola Balls and our Microwave Peanut Butter and Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, just to name a few! 🙂 )
Guess what? This delish bar is healthy! It’s made with wholesome ingredients including Greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, almond milk, peanut butter We will formulate the ingredients for mixing, you do the fixing—you can have these done in a half hour. You’ll be set with 12 bars that last up to 2 weeks! Psst…. Guess what? You don’t even turn on your oven for these devilish indulgences!
Protein Bars
(Yields 12 bars)
Ingredients
2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs (gluten free is fine)
2 cups flavored protein powder (we used Optimal Nutrition Vanilla)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup non-fat, plain Greek yogurt
1 cup + 4 tablespoons powdered Peanut butter (like PB2)
½ cup water
¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the graham crackers, prepared PB2 (1 cup of PB2 and 1/2 cup water stirred to peanut butter consistency), and powdered protein powder.
Add the Greek yogurt and applesauce. Mix well.
Spread evenly in the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan.
Refrigerate for 30 mins.
Once peanut butter mixture in the pan has set for 30 minutes, in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. Microwave for 30 seconds, mix, microwave for 15 seconds, mix, and continue in 15 second intervals until the mixture is perfectly smooth and melted. Stir in last ¼ cup of dry PB2 and ¼ cup almond milk.
Spread the chocolate/PB mix over top of the peanut butter mixture in the pan, evenly.
Cut the bars evenly (4×6). Then eat up, buttercup!
Nutritional Information per serving:
Calories 140; Fat 3g; Saturated Fat 1g; Carbohydrates 20g; Protein 10g; Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 206mg; Fiber 2g
- 2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs (gluten free is fine)
- 2 cups flavored protein powder (we used Optimal Nutrition Vanilla)
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup non-fat, plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup + 4 tablespoons powdered Peanut butter (like PB2)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- In a large bowl, combine the graham crackers, prepared PB2 (1 cup of PB2 and ½ cup water stirred to peanut butter consistency), and powdered protein powder.
- Add the Greek yogurt and applesauce. Mix well.
- Spread evenly in the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan.
- Refrigerate for 30 mins.
- Once peanut butter mixture in the pan has set for 30 minutes, in a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. Microwave for 30 seconds, mix, microwave for 15 seconds, mix, and continue in 15 second intervals until the mixture is perfectly smooth and melted. Stir in last ¼ cup of dry PB2 and ¼ cup almond milk.
- Spread the chocolate/PB mix over top of the peanut butter mixture in the pan, evenly.
- Cut the bars evenly (4x6). Then eat up, buttercup!