I have a love hate relationship with things labeled “protein” this or “protein” that. Some of them are made with really good, really clean ingredients with short ingredient lists. Others are made with essentially crap and are full of junk. So what to do when you are in a rush and need to grab something? Make your own!!

The latest research on protein is that we aren’t getting enough. There are plenty of podcasts and experts to listen to, podcasts to explore and articles to read. What all the experts are telling us is that in order to maintain muscle and then to grow muscle we need almost double what we are currently being told my the RDA.

So, I’m here to help give you some suggestions on how to increase that protein without feeling like you are a caveman! I’m striving to get protein at every meal with a combination of plant and animal. And this protein bar includes both of those things as well. Plus it’s SO good, Drizzlers, you’ll need to stop yourself at just one!

There are many days when we or our kids or our partners are having a rushed morning and need a grab and go situation or the kids need something for after school. I’m sure there are plenty of other reasons as well. I certainly have them!! My Monday mornings tend to be so hectic that often I’ll reach for a bar. And while I like to think I’m pretty savvy and pick very clean bars I think there are few bars cleaner than this recipe below for what I think is the best recipe for protein bars. 7 ingredients is all that makes up these beauties. They’re unbelievably easy to put together and really tasty. If you prefer you can also make them into protein balls and dip them in the chocolate rather than having a topping of the chocolate layer. Or you could skip that step all together and just make little nourishing “truffle” bites!

While being easy this is also a flexible recipe. Love sunflower seed butter? Use that! Love almond butter? Use that! Can’t have any seed or nut butter? Try chickpea butter! Love white chocolate? Try using the new Enjoy Life Foods White Chocolate Mini Chips! Prefer to use maple syrup over date puree? No problem! Use 3 Tbsp. of that in lieu of the date puree! Make it your own. Just be sure to make these chocolate protein bars, you’ll be happy you did!

xo,

Kendra

Chocolate Chunk Protein Bars

Free From the Top-9 Food Allergens

Vegan, SIBO Phase II

**contains coconut

Ingredients

• approx 8 fresh Medjool dates, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes OR 3 Tbs. maple syrup OR 3 Tbs. honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. favorite seed or nut butter, unsweetened
• 1/4 c. grass fed, plain collagen
• 3-4 Tbsp. coconut flour*
• 1/3 c. chopped Hu Chocolate Gems (or your favorite chocolate)

Topping

• 1/2 c. Hu Chocolate Gems (or your favorite chocolate)
• 2 tsp. coconut or olive oil
• flaky sea salt

Directions

1. Drain the soaked dates and add them to a mini food processor. Add the vanilla and blend until you have as smooth of a paste as you can get.
2. Add the date-vanilla paste to a bowl and all remaining bar ingredients. Mix with a spoon and let sit for 5 minutes for the coconut flour to absorb the moisture. Check it and add more coconut flour as needed, but not too much as it will get crumbly!
3. Line a 9×5 Loaf pan with parchment and press the bar mixture into the pan in a single layer. Refrigerate while you make the topping.
4. Melt together the 1/2 c. Hu Chocolate Gems with the 2 tsp. coconut or olive oil until smooth.
5. Pour over the top of the packed bars in the loaf pan and sprinkle some sea salt over the top. Refrigerate for a couple hours, cut into 8 bars and wrap for easy grab and go!

*While I haven’t tested it out, if you aren’t able to have coconut I think you could use some chickpea flour in lieu.

Happy Foods are the Best Foods!