Microwave Fruity and Nutty Protein Bars

If you are in a hurry for your fitness class or exercise in the gym and you do not have time to eat a proper breakfast or lunch or dinner or whatever meal it is to supply the energy you need, then keep a stash of this delicious and nutritious portable protein bars.

The fat content was lowered by using some banana for what would have been more peanut butter plus this fruit gave the bars added sweetness and flavor not to mention potassium.  You can choose the nuts and berries you want.  They do increase the calories but they are not empty ones.  Aside from the peanut butter, whey protein powder was added to boost the content of this food group in the bar.  I decided to use cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips not only to lower the calories but also to cover the sometimes aftertaste of whey powder.  The protein powder can be increased if you desire.   The bars are so good you will not even notice that they are one of those healthy energy treats.

They are firm enough so you can store them in your handbag and needs no refrigeration to keep its shape and texture through the day.  Do refrigerate the leftovers though to keep their freshness.   

This recipe is for two generous servings but bigger batches can be prepared.  I decided to use the microwave for baking the bars for convenience but they can also be baked in the oven.

 

Microwave Fruity and Nutty Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Splenda or sugar
• 1 tbsp Agave
• 1 tbsp peanut butter
• 1/4 of a banana, mashed
• 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tbsp protein whey powder (I used chocolate flavored)
• 3/4 cups quick cooking oats
• 1/2 tbsp chopped walnuts or other nuts
• 1/2 tbsp dried cranberries or other dried fruit

Mix the Splenda or sugar and Agave until the Splenda dissolves. You can warm the mixture for 5 seconds in the microwave if you like. 

Meanwhile thoroughly mix the mashed banana and peanut butter and add them to the Splenda and Agave mixture.  Then add to the mixture. the cocoa powder and protein whey powder and  throughly mix all the ingredients together.

Add the oats, nuts, cranberries to the mixture and thoroughly blend them together so the ingredients are distributed uniformly throughout. 

For this small batch, you can just shape the mixture into a 2 inch square and place in a microwaveable plate.   Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds.  Cool and cut into bars of the size you want.    .