Snack Hack – How To Make Homemade Protein Bars

Healthy snack bars are all the rage these days. Young and old consume them because they provide a good boost of energy and other dietary essentials very easily. Likewise, people love them because you just pop them in your bag or slip them in your pocket and you have food that can actually sustain you for a long time.

Some say they get their recommended natural fibres from these snack bars as well; they can do without preparing elaborate meals with vegetables and other fibre-rich ingredients which are essential for regular elimination.

Now, here’s the thing about these health bars. They can be pretty pricey, and some, after tests, actually proved to be not that healthy at all — they have extenders and too much sugar. If you wish to save a whole lot of dough and have the assurance that you are eating snacks or replacement meals which are truly good for you, making your own protein bars is something you should try doing.

Homemade protein bars are easy enough to make. Plus, you can be as creative as you want with them so the final result is not only thoroughly nutritious but very pleasing to your palate as well. There are so many recipes available online and if you wish for protein bars that can provide you adequate levels of nutrients, 180 Nutrition has a bounty of quick, completely good-for-you and delicious protein bar recipes everybody will surely love.

One popular recipe is the No-Bake Homemade Protein Bars by Keira Rumble who claims that these treats are “packed full of goodness...delish and can help cure that post-dinner sweet tooth, or is a great on-the-run treat.” For those who are trying to lose weight, these protein bars also make perfect snacks because cacao – an important ingredient in the recipe – can enhance thermogenesis which increases fat burning.

For the No-Bake Homemade Protein Bars, you will need two groups of ingredients and they are provided below.

Base
1 cup hazelnuts
½ cup raw cacao powder
2 scoops 180 Natural Protein Superfood
2 teaspoons stevia
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons of water
1 teaspoon of organic almond butter
Ganache
2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon of stevia (if desired)

To make these homemade protein bars, you will need a small food processor where you will blitz the hazelnuts for a minute before adding the cacao, stevia, protein powder, coconut oil and almond butter. Blitz everything until everything is properly combined. Afterwards, line a freezer-safe baking tray with baking paper and pour the mixture on it, pressing down firmly and evenly. Allow it to harden in the freezer for 15 minutes.

While you’re waiting for the mixture to set, launch into the ganache by whisking all ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Take out the base mixture from the freezer for a bit and pour the ganache over it before popping it back into the fridge. Once everything is properly hardened, slice it up, serve on a cake stand as a dessert, or place in cute plastic bags as snacks you can take on the go.

These protein bars can last you days and they certainly cost so much less, but taste better than the ones you buy from stores.

__________

About the author: Karren Colstone works as a food critic. She has been in this field for five years now. Her specialty is desserts but she also has a background in other types of food. Check out http://180nutrition.com.au for more knowledge about food.

Image via sfgate.com