Homemade Protein Bar or How I Saved My Wallet

I love protein/fiber bars, especially the Kashi ones. (I have one at LEAST once a day)

Unfortunately, my wallet does not love protein bars and lately has been threatening me with the reminder that I have student loans to pay!

So, necessity being the mother of invention and all that, I took a trip to Wegman's this weekend and bought myself a bunch of ingredients to make some homemade bars. In short, they turned out absolutely delicious (chocolate chip peanut butter) and I would love to share the recipe with you.

Just click on the link to my blog below and you'll see a step by step guide (with pictures) on how to make your own fabulous bars.

Bonus: Hot hot pictures of Rafael Nadal and Michael Phelps

Mangia bene!

Hey, who would have thought?  Thanks, these are worth the effort!

I made the ones that were featured on Foodnetwork's Good Eats some time ago...With alittle modification for my own tastes, I have several different varieties that I can freeze...Not too bad.

My boyfriend and I have all 10 seasons of Good Eats. I love that show so much! His bar recipe was pretty good too, but this one is my favorite so far.

You'll have to post it then, cuz I think the protein bars by Alton Brown really rock...Especially if you use chocolate protein powder and then carob chips...I sub strawberry protein powder and then dried strawberries if I can find organic ones (or have ones I've dried myself)... Pretty please?

Ask and ye shall receive! (Stolen shamelessly from the food network)

Ingredients:

4 ounces soy protein powder, approximately 1 cup
2 1/4 ounces oat bran, approximately 1/2 cup
2 3/4 ounces whole-wheat flour, approximately 1/2 cup
3/4-ounce wheat germ, approximately 1/4 cup
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 ounces raisins, approximately 1/2 cup
2 1/2 ounces dried cherries, approximately 1/2 cup
3 ounces dried blueberries, approximately 1/2 cup
2 1/2 ounces dried apricots, approximately 1/2 cup
1 (12.3-ounce) package soft silken tofu
1/2 cup unfiltered apple juice
4 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/2 cup packed
2 large whole eggs, beaten
2/3 cup natural peanut butter
Canola oil, for pan

Method:

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper and lightly coat with canola oil. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, oat bran, wheat flour, wheat germ, and salt. Set aside.

Coarsely chop the raisins, dried cherries, blueberries and apricots and place in a small bowl and set aside.

In a third mixing bowl, whisk the tofu until smooth. Add the apple juice, brown sugar, eggs, and peanut butter, 1 at a time, and whisk to combine after each addition. Add this to the protein powder mixture and stir well to combine. Fold in the dried fruit. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish and bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F. Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting into squares. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Very cool!  You know splenda has a brown sugar too? (for the carb phobics who want to try this minus the sugar)  I never tried it....I use honey and stevia for sweetener because that fake stuff kills my pouch and so does real sugar if it's more than 18-24 g of carbs...So half of one of these would suit me fine....I try not to push the sugar...cause when it hits me...I'm a goner for two hours.   I love your blog and the recipe I'll try a modified version for sure!  Thanks so much for posting! It really sounds yummy.

Yes, unfortunately I have a mild sucralose allergy, so splenda and I have never been friendly. If I do substitute sugar in anything, I use Nature Sweet (maltitol). It's gotten more expensive recently, so I'm using it pretty sparingly these days.

I hope you enjoy them!

they look delish-sound easy enough- love the photos! how do you store them ?????

Generally, I store them in sealable bags and keep them on the counter if it's only a few days. More long term? They'll keep in the fridge for a week or so (put them in a toaster to re-crisp) and they also freeze well. Just defrost them and toss in the toaster for a minute or two.