As I mentioned earlier in the week I haven’t been using a whole lot of protein powder recently. Instead I’ve been opting for more protein rich foods…plenty of hummus, tempeh, tofu, hemp seeds, chia seeds, peanut butter…not exactly a hardship 
I went through a run of using Sunwarrior day in day out in smoothies, then instant bakes, a few pancakes here and there and then when the bag ran dry I replaced it but I’ve only dipped in to it once or twice. I spend a monumental amount on food and buying something classed as a supplement is just an added and quite frankly luxury expense these days.
That said, I’m happy to make a little extra purchase here and there if it serves a double purpose. High protein snackage? Yes please! Some sweet, yet not overly so, that satisfies and keeps hunger at bay any time of the day.
If it requires minimal effort to make..even better! Not having to turn on the oven is most definitely a bonus.
With my new to me pea protein in hand I go to blending, creating and experimenting and first on my list, aside from the smoothie was a raw protein bar that would serve as a post workout snack and an evening sweet hit treat. Two in one, in one fell swoop…
Raw Peanut Butter Protein Bars! Drizzled with dark chocolate for a little indulgence, it could be left off but I highly recommend it
I made a batch of nine, froze 4, ate 4 and parted with one as a taste tester to one of the girls in work – I had originally intended on sharing more but I just couldn’t part with them! They have the texture of a soft fudge, peanut buttery but not overwhelmingly so. Just sweet enough with no additional sugar added aside from the date blend base.
100% whole food, no quirky ingredients…although the pea protein is the most expensive ingredient these babies still come way under the protein bar packed up in a pretty package price. They freeze and thaw perfectly, stay fresh in the fridge for a good 4 days – possibly a week but the ones I’d left out to snack on didn’t last long enough for me to find out.
Each bar comes in with a whopping 11g of pure plant protein, they’re incredibly satisfying and altogether nourishing. I tried one crumbled up in a bowl of banana softserve for breakfast one morning…a little extra swirl of peanut butter…my oh my it was superb!
If your not a peanut butter fan you could totally sub in your favourite alternative nut butter…
I’ll be sticking with the PB combo, in love with these wonderful pick me ups! With running still off the agenda I’ve been pushing myself a little harder on the strength front resulting in some sore muscles….the good building kind that are calling out for an extra protein hit!
I of course used my favourite all natural peanut butter…smooth, but I’ll be giving crunchy a whirl in the next batch!
What’s your favourite no bake protein snack? It doesn’t have to be sweet! Roasted chickpeas with cinnamon and a little maple syrup are one of my favs!
Peanut Butter Protein Blondies
by Michelle Hunt
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Keywords: blender raw dessert snack breakfast gluten-free vegan vegetarian peanut butter oats pea protein
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Ingredients (9 large squares)
1 2/3 cup (300g) pitted Medjool dates
1/4 cup (60g) smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup (65g) raw cashews
1.5 cup (150g) gluten free oats
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup (60g) pea protein
2 tbsp of water will vary depending on the dates used…
Optional Topping
1 tbsp peanut butter
3 tbsp dark chocolate chips – dairy free – approx. 30g, just shy of 1/4 cup!)
Instructions
Blend dates in a food processor to smooth consistency; you want a thick sticky paste. Blend in peanut butter, remove and set to one side.
Remove and process oats and cashews to a coarse crumb. Whizz in the protein powder.
Add back in peanut butter and date paste along with vanilla extract and process to combine. Add a couple of tablespoons of water..you want the mixture to come together in one clump in the processor. Not sticky but sticks together when pressed. Add a little more water if necessary – ensure it isn’t just soaking the bottom layer of the mixture!
Place dough in a non stick lined (I used a silicon one which makes them easy to remove) 8 inch square tray. Press down and smooth over the surface using a mini roller – like a paint roller! Alternatively just press and smooth out using the back of a spoon.
Place in the fridge to firm up.
Meanwhile melt dark chocolate in the microwave…1 minute 30 seconds worked for me, 30 second interval stirring to ensure it didn’t burn! Combine with peanut butter – you may need to heat the peanut butter if yours isn’t smooth and drippy!
Remove bars from the fridge, drizzle over chocolate peanut butter mixture and return to the fridge to firm up for a couple of hours before slicing.
Will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks or can be frozen!
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