These soft and chewy one-bowl protein bars are the perfect healthy, on-the-go snack.
When it comes to making food, I like to enjoy fresh, local (preferably home-grown) foods that are in season. I do this for a few reasons: namely, the health of the environment as well as the health of my family. Before living on the road full-time, I was lucky enough to live in a place where eating local was possible. Now that I’m traveling the majority of the time, my goals for ingredients have shifted. While I can no longer walk out to my garden or root cellar to grab something, I can still make homemade meals and snacks from scratch.
These Paleo bars are a great option when I need extra protein in my diet but don’t want to reach for expensive, questionably “healthy” supermarket protein bars. What’s more, they come together in just one bowl (perfect for my micro-sized kitchen!). They’re tasty, filling, and portable. And thanks to the six simple ingredients, they’re quite versatile, too.
Are These Paleo Protein Bars Healthy?
Yes, these Paleo bars are a great way to get in some extra protein. They’re high in healthy fats thanks to almond butter, are naturally sweet thanks to the honey, and contain plenty of protein thanks to the egg and protein powder. Many supermarket protein bars contain a hefty amount of unhealthy, processed ingredients. If you want to snack smartly, reach for this recipe. It’s a winner.
What Is The Paleo Diet?
The Paleo diet, also known as the Paleolithic (or Caveman) diet, is based on the idea of only eating foods that were available to our prehistoric ancestors. Its primary focus is on whole foods that closely align with the eating habits of hunter-gatherers. The idea is that our bodies thrive on whole, unprocessed food, with a focus on protein and quality fats.
Some say that there should be no sweeteners used in a Paleo diet, while others agree that natural sweeteners, such as honey and maple syrup, come from a direct, minimally-processed source (bees and trees, in this example). For this recipe, we’ve used honey as the Paleo-friendly sweetener of choice.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any protein bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Stored on the counter in an airtight container, they’ll last for up to 2 days. The bars can also be frozen in a Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
Recipes that have fewer ingredients are often more versatile. With the neutral flavors of almond butter and honey, you can mix it up a bit and still have a tasty, high-quality homemade protein bar. You can swap out the almond butter for your favorite nut butter, for example. You can also use a protein powder with a different flavor, such as chocolate or peanut butter chocolate. And in place of honey, you can use pure maple syrup as a sweetener. It’ll still be Paleo, and it’ll provide a mellow maple flavor that pairs well with almond butter.
I love to serve these bars with a Peanut Butter-Chocolate Protein Shake for an afternoon snack that keeps my energy levels stable. I also enjoy a bar as a side to this vibrant Fruit Salad Recipe and a few slices of cheese. And when I’m really in the mood to make a variety of snacks to keep on hand, I make a batch of these Homemade Protein Bars With Chocolate And Almonds as another option.
Ingredients
- Coconut oil for greasing pan
- 1/2 cup almond butter 120 grams
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 cup grass-fed vanilla protein powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325℉ and rub an 8×8-inch pan with coconut oil. Set aside.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt the almond butter and honey until the almond butter is soft and creamy, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the egg and egg yolk until well combined and the almond butter begins to thicken. Stir in the protein powder, salt, and baking soda. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press out evenly. If your mixture is sticky, rub your fingers with some coconut oil; this should help spread it out easily.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the bars comes out clean and the edges are golden brown, about 11-13 minutes. Do not overbake, as you want them soft.
- Cool in the pan until room temperature, slice into bars, and DEVOUR.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment