DIY Protein Bars

Protein bars have been a staple breakfast for me even since before weight loss surgery. I’m also always on the hunt for something to eat right after a long run–both because I’m always hungry and I know it’s important to refuel.

I came across this DIY version on Food.com. Ever since the liquid stage of my weight loss surgery I am SO over protein shakes. Which means I have a lot of powder sitting in the cupboard. I like that I was able to use some of it up with this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 cups whey protein powder (vanilla flavor)
• 2 cups dry uncooked oatmeal (not the quick cooking kind)
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, combine peanut butter, honey and milk. Warm over low heat, add the protein powder and mix well. Note that you don’t want to cook it, just warm it through so you can stir it. Add the oats, and more milk if it is too thick to stir. Add raisins.
2. Press in a 9×13 pan. Let cool and cut into 16 equal sized bars. Wrap individually in foil or plastic wrap.
3. The original recipe says they don’t need refrigeration, but mine molded after a week (YUCK!) so I definitely recommend storing them in the refrigerator

The Verdict: At 140 calories and 5.6 grams of protein each, these are not bad. The store-bought bars I normally use are 180 calories and 21 grams of protein, but they also include a lot of artificial ingredients. So are these “better?” Not sure about nutritionally, but taste-wise I loved them.