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You guys. I am so excited about these bars. I have been trying for a long time to make the perfect paleo protein bar. I do have some really good recipes, but there was just something missing.
I guess you could call me a protein bar connoisseur. (Try to spell that without spellcheck!) My favorite “treat” has been Think Thin protein bars for a while (terrible ingredients; beware! They are my splurge), but I also really like the Evo Hemp brand bars (good ingredients although no animal protein) There are some other brands that I’ve tried that, while being nutritious, taste absolutely terrible.
My goal with this recipe was to create a protein bar that wasn’t a big wad of fruit and nuts (sorry Larabar…) and didn’t have a ton of sugar in it, but also didn’t use artificial sweeteners, eggs, nuts, or dairy. I also wanted my protein bar to have animal protein in it, as well as antioxidants and good fats. So I made a collagen protein bars recipe!
Phew! That’s a tall order, but this recipe fills the bill. I brought them to work to share (aren’t I generous?) and everyone loved them. My dad loved them too, even though he initially thought I was super weird for putting collagen in a bar with chocolate.
Speaking of collagen, I want to talk about one of my new favorite paleo companies. So let’s talk about Vital Proteins. They have two products, Beef Gelatin and Collagen Peptides. Beef Gelatin is collagen that “gels” in liquids. Which means that I need to make a gummy bear recipe. Collagen Peptides doesn’t gel; it’s a powder that you can mix with any liquid and drink it down to get your collagen awesomeness. Or do what I do and put it in pancakes. #becauseican
Why do you need collagen? Well, for one, it’s amazing for gut health because it helps repair the gut lining. So if you have digestive issues or leaky gut, collagen is what you need!
It’s also amazing for skin health. The skin has a lot of protein in it, and collagen is a main ingredient. Collagen is wonderful for youthful skin.
It’s also great for joints because it’s the stuff that cushions the joints!
You can read a lot more about collagen health benefits here: Vital Proteins
Why am I using collagen? Well, I love that the amino acid profile can balance the normal profile of muscle meats (which I eat a lot of), and I also have had a very busy fall and winter, so I’m getting back to basics and making my health a priority. On a culinary note, collagen and gelatin can yield some really fun results in the kitchen!
Which brings us back to these bars. What more can I say; who wouldn’t want to nourish his/her skin, gut, and joints while eating chocolate?
Shared at Fat Tuesday
Where to find:
- Collagen Peptides
- Sunflower seeds
- Coconut flakes
- My favorite coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Raw cacao (it’s amazing!!!)
- Bars:
- raw sunflower seeds – 1 cup
- unsweetened coconut flakes – 1 cup
- coconut oil – 1/2 cup, melted
- collagen peptides – 3/4 cup
- pure maple syrup – 1/4 cup
- salt – 1/2 teaspoon
- vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Coating:
- coconut oil – 1/3 cup
- raw cacao powder – 1/4 cup
- salt – dash
- pure maple syrup – 1 tablespoon
- vanilla extract – 1/4 teaspoon
- In a food processor, combine the sunflower seeds, coconut flakes, and coconut oil. Process until a smooth butter forms. This will take 5-10 minutes.
- Scrape the coconut sunbutter into a bowl and add the collagen peptides, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla. Mix well.
- Form the mixture into a 1/3 inch thick rectangle on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the coating: to a small microwave-safe bowl, add all the coating ingredients. Microwave a few seconds, just until melted, and stir.
- Use a knife to cut the the sunbutter and coconut rectangle into bars. Then coat them in chocolate. I did this by spreading a thin layer of coating on a plate, then placing the bar on top and spooning the coating over the top of the bar to cover. Then transfer the bars back to the baking sheet and pour the rest of coating over them.
- Freeze just until set, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.
If I were to use a store bought nut butter, how much do I use and would I not add any coconut oil or flakes then?
I would use 1/2 cup sunbutter and 1/4 cup coconut butter.
This looks great and I am going to make them. Thanks for doing all the work so I don’t have to spend the time and ingredients on failures!
Have you ever added chia seeds to help the fiber and fat profile? I don’t know what that does to a recipe by the end (dry not soaked)
I have not but I bet it would be delish!
Confession: I’m HOOKED on these.
Can’t wait to try these! Can we sub honey for syrup?
For sure! Hope you like them!
I don’t have a microwave, what else could j do with the coating ingredients ?
You can use a saucepan 🙂
all of your bar recipes are genius! just made these and they are incredible. I thought the coconut cherry bars were my favorite, but these might have just taken over. thank you!
These look great, I’ve been looking for something exactly like this that I can pack with me on a trip. Are these realy soft? Do you think they would hold up packed in a carry-on during a flight? Thanks!
They might hold up a little better if you don’t put the chocolate on and/or pack with an ice pack if possible because they do need to stay cool.
This is an awesome way to use collagen!!! You’re very creative and I love your recipes on your site. I can’t wait to try to make these and I think my readers would love this unique recipe. I would love to have you do a guest post of these bars on my blog, if you want to check out my blog. I just had a baby… trying to find time to post a blog is literally near impossible. You can contact me at my e-mail (that I included with this reply) and let me know if you have time to do a guest post. 🙂
Thanks for having your blog!! I’m looking forward to checking out more of your recipes, the photos look delicious!! 🙂
Can I replace the sunflower with peanut butter? Thanks!
Yes! 1/2 cup PB should do the trick 🙂
Thanks!
Hi – can’t wait to make these! I also ordered items through your links. Thanks for providing!
Hi Lisa, Thank you and I hope you enjoy them; they are really delicious! 😀
These look yummy!!! I love using their collagen! 😀
These look yummy! Do you know how many grams of protein per bar?
According to this calculator, 1/12 of recipe has 7.5 grams. http://www.caloriecount.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php