Why Make This Recipe
Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars are a delicious and healthy snack option. They are perfect for a quick energy boost, post-workout recovery, or a sweet treat. Packed with protein, healthy fats, and whole grains, these bars are not only good for you but also satisfy your chocolate cravings. Making these bars at home means you can control the ingredients and enjoy a fresh, homemade snack anytime.
How to Make Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond butter (or cashew butter)
- 3/4 cup brown rice cereal
- 1/4 cup oat flour (or almond flour)
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon mint extract
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup mini dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup melting chocolate
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Directions
- Combine the almond butter, brown rice cereal, oat flour, vanilla protein powder, mint extract, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and mini chocolate chips together in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix everything together until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into an 8×8" baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Use a spatula to lightly press down and smooth out the mixture until it’s evenly flat.
- Melt the optional melting chocolate and coconut oil together in the microwave in 30-second increments, mixing in between until the chocolate is smooth.
- Drizzle the melted chocolate over the bar mixture.
- Freeze for about 1 hour.
- Lift the bars out of the baking pan using the edges of the parchment paper and set them on a cutting board.
- Slice into 8-12 bars.
- Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!
How to Serve Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
These bars are perfect on their own as a quick snack. You can also serve them with a glass of milk or a smoothie for a complete meal or workout recovery. Adding fresh mint leaves or a dusting of cocoa on top can enhance their presentation if you’re serving them to guests.
How to Store Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
To keep your bars fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should last about 1 to 2 weeks. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just wrap each bar individually and place them in a freezer bag.
Tips to Make Mint Dark Chocolate Protein Bars
- If you can’t find oat flour, you can easily make your own by blending oats in a blender until they are fine.
- For an extra minty flavor, you can add more mint extract to suit your taste.
- Ensure the melted chocolate is cool enough before drizzling it on the bars, so it doesn’t melt the mixture underneath.
Variation
You can easily switch up the nut butter or use different flavors of protein powder to create your own unique version of these bars. You can also add chopped nuts or seeds for added crunch.
FAQs
1. Can I use another type of sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Yes, you can use honey or agave syrup as alternative sweeteners.
2. Are these bars vegan?
If you use a plant-based protein powder and ensure your chocolate is dairy-free, these bars can be made vegan.
3. Can I skip the melting chocolate on top?
Absolutely! The bars are still tasty without the melted chocolate. You can enjoy them as is or dust with cocoa powder for a different look.
