Granola Protein Bars

I don’t like supplementing with protein powders – yup you heard me right. In fact I HATE supplementing with protein shakes. Protein shakes taste like arse (sorry but they do), are ridiculously filling (so much so that I end up gipping half way through knocking it back), and they make life inconvenient – shaking it up, cleaning out the bloody shaker afterward, and a big shaker just isn’t something you want to cart around with you. And it isn’t just all of these little inconveniences that bother me, but rather the lack of nutrition!

That’s why I have created these gorgeous Granola Protein Bars; they will leave you feeling satiated but not bulging, are packed full of good fats essential for giving you energy (if you’re a fat burner that is), and they are delicious yet compact – so you can shove them into your gym bag and they won’t take up half of the room.

I’ve used my favourite vegan protein for these bars  Sunwarrior. I find that vegan proteins don’t leave me with that bloaty feeling (or the yucky protein sh**s either) and they don’t leave me feeling too full either like whey protein does – and don’t think grass-fed whey is any different because it isn’t. I love the Warrior Blend as it is a raw, plant-based, fermented, and sprouted protein – it contains; raw pea protein which has a full amino acid complex including BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), cranberry protein which is the only plant source to contain 25% protein and all essential amino acids, coconut MCT’s, and leucine. There’s also some ancient sea salt in there too which definitely helps with hydrating and replenishing any minerals lost through excess sweating. To read more about its benefits click here. I also used the ‘natural’ flavour but you can use whichever you like, I just find that an un-flavoured protein gives you plenty of room to be creative and sweeten to your taste, if you use a flavoured version be sure to add in your maple syrup gradually or else you may find it too sweet to eat!

Anyway I hope you enjoy this recipe! Just be sure to defrost them for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before eating to ensure you don’t break any teeth, and they also taste amazing chilled! Always make sure that they are stored in an airtight container, in the freezer, for up to 1 month.

Yields: 10 bars

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Setting Time: 1-2 hours

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oil
50g cacao butter
1 heaped cup mixed nuts
3 scoops Sunwarrior Naturals Blend
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 cup mixed seeds
1/4 cup sultanas
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp cacao nibs
4 drops vanilla extract organic essential oil or 1/4 tsp of vanilla powder
Pinch Himalayan pink salt (grind if coarse)
10g raw dark chocolate (optional topping)

Method:

1. Start by melting your coconut oil and cacao butter in a bain marie over a low heat. Once fully melted very carefully remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes.
2. Place your mixed nuts, protein powder, and maple syrup into the bowl of your food processor and slowly pour in your melted cacao butter and coconut oil. Pulse a few times until your mixture comes together and your nuts are processed into a variety of sizes.
3. Next remove the blade from your processor and stir through the remaining ingredients until fully combined. Grease and line a brownie tin and pour your mixture in. Knuckle down the mixture until evenly spread. Place into the freezer until nice and firm – about 1 to 2 hours. Remove and cut into 10 rectangles. You can dip the bars into melted chocolate or drizzle them for an added flavour explosion!