My teenage son is officially part of the protein-loading crowd. I remember my brother as a teenager standing in the garage drinking egg whites straight from some giant white tub he ordered online. Very Gaston of him. Apparently every generation has its version (and all of us over 40 are catching on to).
Asher has a Fitbit, uses a tracking app, and asks me about 20 times a day how big a portion on his plate is or how much protein I think it has. He’s still figuring out what 4 ounces of chicken actually looks like. I mean, same here.
Maybe I should tell him his mom has been creating protein- and fiber-focused recipes here on Make It Good for the last three years? ;)
He makes himself protein smoothies all the time, but has yet to find a protein bar he actually enjoys. He doesn’t love the texture of most of them, and honestly, I don’t love the ingredients in most of them.
He does, however, love anything chocolate and peanut butter (just like his Nanny did), and I knew a crispy bar would be much more his speed than the dense, chewy bars on the market. So I created these Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Protein Bars for him.
Each bar has about 15 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, and I feel great about tossing one in his backpack for school. The melted chocolate that solidifies in the fridge helps them stay firm at room temperature (as long as it’s not a hot day!), which is a huge plus. The texture lands somewhere between a rice crispy treat and a cookie, and my whole family loves them.
I also rolled the mixture into 10 to 12 bites the first time I made them, and they worked beautifully. You just need to compress the mixture in your hand before rolling so they hold together.
And now that I have the base down, I’m already thinking ahead. Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars….Apple Cinnamon Crunch…. Gingerbread?
I chose sprouted buckwheat for added protein and fiber, plus it gives that light, crispy texture. Puffed quinoa or other puffed cereal like amaranth, millet, or rice works too. Hemp hearts add an easy boost of protein and healthy fats, and oats add more fiber to help keep him full, and a little extra protein. I have quite a few grain-free granola bars and protein bites if the gluten-free grains in this recipe don’t work for you, and have also provided some substituon suggestions just below the recipe as well.
Yield: 6 bars
Recipe Author: Danielle Walker
TOOLS
Heatproof bowl
Parchment paper
Rubber spatula
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