When it comes to food, one of my favorite things to do is develop recipes to solve an issue… got a sweet tooth? I gotchu! My sweets are always dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. On the go and need a quick snack? I gotchu! I like focusing on higher healthy fats and protein for satiety. Need some fuel post-workout, but don’t have enough time to make a meal? I gotchu with these Raw AB&J Protein Bars I created with Lottie from @runningonveggies for an Adidas workshop we recently hosted.
The main thing I love about this recipe is that they’re very easy to modify and make your own! The original recipe calls for GF sprouted oats, but I subbed that for almond flour + unflavored protein powder to make them grain-free as my body feels better when I choose to eat grain-free.
You can customize with different nuts/seeds, freeze dried or fresh organic berries, flavors and seasonings. Basically, all you need is a food processor and you can make any of your raw treat dreams come true. I’m serious! It takes 2 seconds to throw all your ingredients in, give a quick pulse, assess the situation to see if you need more liquids (typically water) or dry ingredients (nuts, almond flour, oats, etc.) and then press into a parchment paper-covered dish or loaf tin. Toss in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for a couple hours, remove & cut into bars.
You’re welcome 😉
I hope you enjoy the recipe below! Again, if you’re good with grains, you can substitute the almond flour + protein powder for oats, and same with almond butter– go for any nut or seed butter you’re comfortable with (I see you, peanut butter lover).
This will give you a boost of healthy fats from the nuts/nut butter, quality plant protein from hemp seeds (10g per 2 tbsp!!), nuts and plant-protein powder, if using, and a delicious burst of flavor from the freeze dried strawberries. I picked the strawbs up from Trader Joe’s and I love incorporating them into different recipes like raw treats, baked goods, trail mixes instead of dried (*sugar-filled) fruit.
Oh and P.S. they’re BEST when frozen!!
Raw AB&J Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 4-5 small pitted dates (soaked in hot water for 15 min)
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- 1/3 cup pecans
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/2 cup almond flour (or sub GF rolled oats)
- 1/4 cup plant protein powder (I prefer unflavored), or sub GF rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/3-1/2 cup water
- 3/4 cup freeze dried strawberries
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in food processor, minus the freeze dried strawberries-- save these for last. Also, less is more with the water! Start out small and add as needed to get mixture to combine.
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Pulse, not too long, because you still want those chunks of nuts, but enough to form a dough-like consistency. May need to stop pulsing and use a silicone spatula to push down the sides of the dough.
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Add in freeze dried strawberries last and pulse once more.
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Prepare a loaf tin or deep dish by pressing down parchment paper into the base.
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Press AB&J dough mixture over the parchment paper (smaller the pan, thicker the bars) with a silicone spatula until even. Sprinkle on more freeze dried strawberries and hemp seeds, and gently press down. Refrigerate (or freeze) for 2-3 hours.
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Remove and slice into bars. Store in airtight container in fridge or freezer (my personal favorite) for an easy snack or dessert.
what I used to make this recipe
Hi! Do you think there is any way to sub out the dates? (Using stevia or monkfruit instead) Also: can collagen peptides be used as the protein powder?
Thanks!
What’s your favorite protein powder to use?
Nutraorganics Clean protein!
I can’t find freeze dried strawberries- could I use frozen or fresh?
I just made these using peanut butter and dried cherries – they are so good! I am doing the 7 day no sugar added detox using some of your recipes and this was perfect for a healthy dessert!
Made these as energy balls instead! Added collagen and flax seeds. Delicious. 🙂
First time making protein bars and it was a success!!! These were a huge hit in my family. So glad I don’t have to buy bars anymore!
So so glad you all loved them 🙂 Perfect grab-n-go! x