Vanilla Crunch Protein Bars

Ingredients

  • 15g of Quinoa Pops (you can use puffed rice or roasted nuts too)
  • 130g of Vanilla Protein Powder (I use Form, Sunwarrior or Nuzest)
  • 170g of Almond Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon of Maple Syrup
  • 90-180ml of Nut Milk
  • 150g of Dark Chocolate
  • 1 Teaspoon of Coconut Oil

These are so delicious. Like a lot of people I’m hesitant about using protein powders because most of them contain so many processed ingredients and additives but if you use a good quality, plant based one (Sunwarrior and Nuzest are my favourites) then they can be a delicious and really nutritious addition to smoothies and treats like these. These bars have a fudgey, slightly crumbly filling with a satisfying crunch from the toasted quinoa pops and, of course, I couldn’t resist coating them in some rich dark chocolate. Vanilla Crunch Protein Bars 1

Preheat the oven to 180’C.

Add the quinoa pops to a baking tray and pop them in the oven at 180’C for about 5 minutes, just until crisp. Set them aside.

Add the protein, almond butter, maple syrup and 90ml of nut milk to your food processor and blend on high until well combined. Drizzle in any extra nut milk gradually while blending, depending on the type of protein you are using you will need different amounts- you should have a crumbly paste that’s kind of squishy when you squeeze it. You don’t want it to be wet so add it gradually.

Line a small baking tin with parchment paper and press the mixture really firmly into it. Sprinkle the quinoa pops evenly on top and then press them into the base. Use your palm and the back of a spoon to really, really press them in so that the top is as smooth as possible for the chocolate layer. You can shake off a few of the excess quinoa pops that won’t stick in.

Pop the tray in the freezer for an hour.

Slowly melt the chocolate and coconut oil and whisk together until smooth. Take the tray out of the freezer and slice into bars. Dip each one in the dark chocolate to coat and then pop them in the fridge to set.

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12 Comments to Vanilla Crunch Protein Bars

  1. Jillian Molloy says:

    Hiya..im just wondering where do you buy your protein powder..?.I find it very hard to get gluten and dairy free and dose that I find have alot of additives in them?

    • Indy Power says:

      I get mine in my local health store or online. I use the Nuzest clean and lean one or the Sunwarrior one, both of which are gluten and dairy free. Hope you can find them!x

  2. suzi says:

    just wondering… what do you think about subbing the quinoa pops for brown rice cereal? yes? would I not need to toast then? ps these look amazing!!

  3. Emma says:

    Where can I get quinoa pops? Is it different to ordinary quinoa?

    • Indy Power says:

      Quinoa pops are to quinoa like puffed rice is to rice. They have such a good texture for treats! you can get them in most good health stores and online x

  4. Kirsty says:

    Hey just wondering if you can tell me how many calories per bar these are please

  5. Donncha says:

    Hi Indy, I’ve a preference to using roasted nuts instead of the quinoa pops/puffed rice, which nuts would you advise and what’s the procedure in using them. Thank you.
    (I really love your recipes, I’ve recently purchased your book and save every recipe you write, both online and in Saturday’s Indo

    • Indy Power says:

      Hi Donncha, so happy you are loving my recipes! For this one roasted almonds are my favourite. I pop them on a baking tray and roast them at 180’C for about 8 minutes, then roughly chop them. Hope you love the bars!x