If your life revolves around health and fitness, or perhaps you just like to eat on the healthy side, then you know most protein bars taste absolutely horrible and are super expensive. They taste like you are chewing on a mixture of cardboard and Christmas fudge that has been left out on the counter for months. It is less than appetizing and knowing that you spent way too much money on these less than tasty protein bars, you should be kicking yourself twice, then you gave up on them.
However, don’t despair. I am here to help you create your own protein brownies and bars so you will no longer have to purchase them for an arm and a leg. Plus, all those unhealthy preservatives to make them last for years on the shelf will not be needed. You will be able to make your own healthy brownies with only four or five ingredients.
Delicious Protein Brownies
If you like your sweets like I do, then you seldom ever turn down a brownie at any point in your life. I don’t care if you just ate a big meal or you have been feeling nauseous for three straight days, first rule for brownie lovers is there is always more room for brownies. Won’t it feel good to know that these protein brownies are actually good for you?
What you will need:
- 1 Cup mashed bananas, or (Optional: use 1/2 cup mashed bananas, 1/2 cup applesauce)
- 1/2 Cup peanut butter or almond butter
- Couple scoops of casein protein powder (or as much as you would like)
- 1/4 Cup of cocoa powder
The ingredients are rather simple. To start off with, you take either a cup of mashed bananas or as I like to make them myself, half mashed bananas and half applesauce. Make a batch of both and see which one you like better.
Next, add half a cup of your favorite peanut butter or almond butter. On top of this, mix in a couple scoops of protein powder. Unfortunately, whey protein can have mixed results once you put it in the oven. Using casein protein powder will usually yield better results. The peanut butter and protein powder will provide you a double dose of protein in your brownies.
Finally, throw in about a quarter of a cup of cocoa powder. Mix it all together, preferably in a blender from Target, and bake it in a greased pan at 350 degrees. You might have to check on them as they bake. It could take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes in the oven. They taste better refrigerated than when they are cold, so move them into the fridge quickly after finishing. If you would like to bake more at once, make one large batch of them and freeze the ones you don’t think you can eat right away. They taste the same after they thaw.
Bonus: Homemade Protein Bars!
I like to think of myself as an amateur bodybuilder. I say amateur because I have never thrown on those tiny bikini briefs and strutted around on stage in front of a large crowd. But I tend to look just as good as many of them.
Because I am not a big eater, so it is important for me to take in as much protein as possible so I can maintain my weight (220 pounds). This means anything I eat should have protein in it. I want to keep my muscle mass and even add to it if I can and that all comes from strength training and protein.
What you will need:
- 1 Cup of oats
- 2 Scoops of whey protein powder
- Honey (as much as you would like)
- 1 Cup of peanut butter
After some experimentation in the kitchen, I came up with my own homemade protein bars that actually taste pretty good. I started off with a cup of oats if I am making just a small batch. At this point, I usually toss in two scoops of protein and mix it all around. Since I am not throwing it in the oven, I use whey protein. Since honey is a superfood with many benefits to it, I pour in a bunch of honey on top of the oats and then throw in about a cup of peanut butter.
At this point, you can get pretty creative. I like to throw the mixture in the microwave for about 30 seconds to get it a bit warm and gooey. Once out of the microwave, press it into a small pan and cool in the refrigerator. These protein bars will give you just as much protein as the ones in the stores but they will taste so much better! Put your sweet tooth to use as a way to get all the protein you need.
Trying to incorporate protein shakes into your daily workout routine? Don’t know which one to choose? Check out your options here!
