The other day I went right to the grocery store from the gym and forgot to pack a snack (I’m like Chrissy in Now and Then – I need to eat every two hours). I saw that the Luna Protein bars were a dollar a pop and honestly I think I tore the wrapper ope and devoured it before I got my daughter situated in the front of the cart. I was crazed. But they’re so good! They’re like candy! Challenge – I shopped for the ingredients I didn’t have on hand and made the bars that afternoon.
One reason homemade bars tend to be higher calorie than store-bought is those puffy soy or rice crisps. As I perused the organic cereal aisle I saw a box of “healthy” Cocoa Krispies for sale. I put two cups into my bars (and ate the rest over the course of 24 hours because even if they’re sprouted rice and organic cocoa, it’s been years since I’ve had anything akin to Cocoa Krispies).
It came together quickly and I was happy with the look of the ingredients – all pronounceable and easily recognizable! Happy to feed them to my daughter on the run (or for breakfast) and to be perfectly honest I’m having to put a mental block over their existence in my fridge – they’re so delicious! Because the batch makes 20, I wrapped ten individually in plastic and froze them. If you can’t find those healthy cocoa krispies you could use any puffed cereal. These clock in under 200 calories and will supply you with enough protein and fiber to get you through till the next meal.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bar
Makes 20
1 c. peanut butter
1 c. pitted dates, pureed or finely chopped
2/3 c. honey
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 c. old fashioned oats
1/2 c. ground flaxseed
1/2 c. shredded coconut (ideally unsweetened)
1/3 c. chocolate protein powder
1 c. dried cranberries or cherries
2 c. puffed chocolate rice cereal
1/3 c. bittersweet chocolate chips
1. In a small saucepan over medium low heat, cook peanut butter, dates, honey, and salt, whisking frequently, until smooth and melted.
2. In a second bowl, combine oats, flaxseed, coconut, protein powder, and dried cranberries. Add peanut butter mixture and stir to combine. Add chocolate cereal and stir to coat.
3. Spray a 9×13 baking dish lightly with nonstick spray and dump mixture inside. With dampened fingers or a spatula, press mixture flat into the pan and smooth.
4. Next, microwave chocolate chips in a small glass bowl, 30 seconds. Stir and microwave again for 15 seconds. Stir again and repeat if necessary.
5. Scrape melted chocolate into a small plastic sandwich bag and press into one corner of bag. Snip the corner and drizzle chocolate over bars in zigzag pattern.
6. Refrigerate, covered with plastic wrap, at least 1 hour or until thoroughly chilled. Cut into 20 bars and store, refrigerated, in between sheets of waxed paper or foil. Bars may be frozen, wrapped individually in plastic wrap.
Becca,
I’m obsessed with Luna’s bars too! This looks like a great option, but can you suggest anything else other than the rice cereal? My husband has an intolerance to rice 🙁 Thank you!
Hey Sarah! Any puffed cereal will work – puffed wheat or kamut are both readily available. Just sub equal amounts. Let me know how that turns out!
Great, thanks! I’ll let you know- I’m sure they’ll taste great 🙂
HI Becca,
These bars look fantastic! And, I am all in! Trying to use a really good protein bar the mornings that I work and then TRY getting to “lunchtime” without chewing on a child’s arm…..I am going out tomorrow to find all the ingredients. Can you get chocolate protein powder in a normal grocery store? Not a fan of traveling all over to find special ingredients.
Deb! Yes chocolate protein powder will be at your regular grocery store – in the aisle with the protein/nutrition bars (at my Giant it’s near the candy, oddly enough). Let me know how they turn out for you!
Hi Becca! Check out the energy bar cookbook Power Hungry when you get a chance. The author has a blog by the same name. I got it out of the library two weeks ago and have made something almost every day. I love your idea of using the cocoa crispy cereal! Question: what brand of honey do you prefer? I also shop at Giant! Since I’ve been making my own WW sandwich bread and, now, these bars I’m going through A LOT of honey!
Heather! I will check out that blog/book. As for honey – I buy local honey at my Growers Market and use that for Tessa and for our salads etc., but I buy the big Giant brand honey to use in baking. That could save you some cash because I agree – honey is expensive!