Homemade Collagen Protein Bars that actually taste like Reese’s Bars (Dairy free, Gluten free, Keto friendly, No refined sugar)

Are you tired of spending money on protein bars that are not that high in protein, full of preservatives that mean they can sit on the shelf for years, full of sugar and dairy and overall not that good for your health? Well I was and set out to conjure a recipe that would be quick to make (these are a no bake recipe!) and tick all the health properties I wanted- high protein,  no refined sugar and generally low in sugar, gluten free, dairy free, high in good fats and with collagen for skin elasticity and gut healing. The thing that happened that surprised me was that my teenage kids think they taste exactly like Reece’s bars which made me laugh given I knew what was in them!

Here’s the recipe for my Homemade Collagen Protein Bars:

• Makes 12 x 50g bars
• Takes approx. 45 mins to make
• Each 50g bar contains approximately 19g protein, 19g fat, 5g unrefined natural sugar and 8g fibre as well as probiotics and plenty of vitamins and nutrients. Win!
• Dairy free, gluten free, vegan if you substitute the collagen powder for a vegan collagen, keto friendly.
• Much cheaper to make than your non-supermarket ‘healthier’ protein bars but also much healthier.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted smooth natural peanut butter, make sure it is nice and runny and not too dry (125g)

1/2 cup almond butter (125g)

2 level tablespoons natural honey (the more natural you can get the better!)

5 tablespoons pure collagen powder (no sugar, just pure collagen) *

3 tablespoons coconut flour

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 teaspoons prebiotic guar gum fibre with probiotics ** Optional

Generous pinch of sea salt (I use Celtic sea salt)

150g sugar free dark choc chips

Sprinkle of sea salt flakes for the top

Approx. 2 tablespoons cashews, peanuts or almonds, chopped  roughly, to put on top (I use cashews)

Method:

1. Line a 20cm  x 20cm (or similar) baking tin with baking paper.
2. Combine peanut butter, almond butter and honey in a medium-sized, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1 minute to soften. Mix well.
3. Stir in collagen powder, coconut flour, vanilla, prebiotic/probiotic powder and salt. Mix until it forms a dough.
4. Press well into lined baking tin and place in the freezer for 5 minutes.
5. Chop the cashews or other nuts and have your sea salt flakes ready. Microwave your choc chips for 1 minute, stir and microwave again for another minute.
6. Stir the choc chips a final time, remove the base from the freezer and cover the top with the sugar free chocolate. Quickly sprinkle sea salt flakes on top and then scatter the chopped nuts pressing down a little so that they attach to the chocolate.
7. Put in the freezer for 30 minutes. Remove and cut into 12 rectangles.

-Will last 1 week in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. I usually keep a few in the fridge and put the rest in the freezer taking them out as required.

-As these bars contain lots of energy, for a child or teenager running around with their fast metabolism a full bar is great for a snack, they are especially good for enhancing cognitive function before a test or during school. For an adult over 25 years which is sadly when the metabolism seems to start to slow, have half a bar (or just cut them into smaller bars) for a snack. I always look at the energy I am using though, if you are doing a lot of exercise for the day have a full bar!

*Not all Collagen powders are pure and contain no sugar. Contact me if you need to source a pure Collagen.

**Quality Prebiotic guar gum fibre with probiotics are typically sourced through a Naturopath. Contact me to source one.

Heath benefits you can enjoy from these bars:

• Collagen powder is remarkable for it’s tissue healing and elasticity promoting properties making it excellent for your skins elasticity and gut healing so if you can get it in your diet it’s a plus!
• High amounts of protein which will make you feel fuller for longer, boost liver function and promote muscle for a good metabolism.
• Essential fatty aids to also keep you full for longer and for reducing cholesterol levels.
• Probiotics and prebiotic fibre for gut health.
• Full of nutrients including antioxidants in the cacao choc chips, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, B vitamins in the nuts and honey, and Iron in the coconut flour. Nutrients have been shown to boost your metabolism and of course the body needs them- you are what you eat.

Enjoy!