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 past few years have been full of information that we need to focus more on protein. There are plenty of podcasts and experts to listen to, podcasts to explore and articles to read. It’s so important to help protect our bones and also help with longevity. In a perfect world we would get our protein from whole foods but often we are busy and need to have things that work within that lifestyle. So instead of getting a packaged bar, make the recipe below! I promise it tastes so much better than what is at the store and you know exactly what it is made from.

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  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

**contains coconut

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 8

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. favorite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate works great)
• 1/4 c. chopped Hu Chocolate Gems (or your favorite chocolate)

Topping

• 1/3 c. Hu Chocolate Gems (or your favorite chocolate)
• 1 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 protein powder to absorb the moisture. Check it and add more protein powder 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 1/3 c. Hu Chocolate Gems with the 1 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 1 hour, cut into 8 bars and wrap for easy grab and go!

Happy Foods are the Best Foods!