Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Tasty Tuesday: Banana Bread Protein Bars
Good morning, and happy Tuesday, my friends 
Although I profess to be a summer girl through and through, I don’t necessarily love temperatures that rise past that 90 degree mark. The air condition gets turned on (although it usually gets turned on once the temps go above 75 per the husband’s request,) the windows close, and the cool breeze no longer passes through the house. Nevertheless, I’m still a summer girl. There’s something about walking outside in shorts, a tank, and flip flops at any time of the day (or night) and knowing that I’ll be perfectly fine.
Summer activities are another favorite of mine: swimming, hiking, boating, camping, barbeques…and baking?
I know, it’s weird. Come dinner time, I absolutely avoid the oven. The grill is our cooking tool of choice when it comes to unbearable summer heat. I’ll do anything to avoid cooking dinner in the heat producing, energy-sucking box that is the oven. But somehow I’m perfectly fine popping in a batch of protein bars in the middle of the day in the middle of July? I don’t get it either.
But trust me. These bars are worth it. Just crank up the A/C, carve out 30 minutes, and then make these bars.
Since I had a little free time this weekend, I found myself in the kitchen and in the mood to bake on Saturday. Remember when I made those MuesliFusion Banana Bars? Well, I made those again but this time with a little protein action!
Since protein powder is more of a “dry ingredient” than almond flour, I had to change up the ingredients a little bit. The protein powder I used was the Vi-Shape powder I used for the pineapple upside down smoothie, and the taste turned out delicious!
Banana Oatmeal Protein Bars
Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake time: 25 minutes
Makes 10-12 bars
1/2 c. Muesli or oats (I used MuesliFusion Morning Zen)
1 c. Almond meal/flour
4-6 scoops Vi-Shape sweet cream protein powder (or vanilla protein powder of choice)
2 large ripe bananas (smashed)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tbsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 eggs
1/2 c. coconut oil (melted)
1 tbsp. raw honey
1/2 c. chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and spray a load pan with nonstick spray. Add all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the rest of the ingredients, and stir until mixed together. Pour the batter into the loaf pan, and cook for 25-30 minutes, using the toothpick method to check for doneness.
Do you love summer?
At what temperature outside do you usually turn on the air conditioning?
TOTALLY making these. I love bar recipes, especially with a kick of protein!
Love this recipe! The chocolate banana combination is one of my favorites!
I do love summer! Too bad here we might only see 2-3 months of true summer weather. AC is rare here since there might only be a few days a year when we really need it.
I will have to try those bars!
Lindsey recently posted…Baby K – Weeks 21-22
I’ve been thinking that I need to make some homemade protein bars, these look perfect! We just put a window AC unit in a few weeks ago, and it could not have come soon enough. Generally, once the humidity makes the temperature feels warmer than around 30 (85) degrees, it goes on.
Yum! These look delicious! Do you think whey protein would do OK with these? Not sure if that’s what the Vi-Shape protein powder is or not.
I LOVE summer, but I agree, anything over 90 degrees isn’t my favorite. Mid 70’s is pretty much perfect in my book!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…How to Know When You’re Overdoing It
I’m gonna say I bet whey powder would work just fine!
We’ve been using the grill pretty much daily. I refuse to turn on the oven at this point – our lows are 77 degrees LOL. I love summer and love the heat (except for running). These look fantastic.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted…Fun For Friday – My 4th of July
Yum! Those look great! I’m with, though…. I love summer, but above 90 and I pretty much stay inside or in a pool!
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted…Butternut Squash Black Bean Burritos
How many grams in one scoop of protein powder? 20 gram or 30 gram scoop? Thks.
30 grams
I LOVE summer! Even though it’s hot and miserable sometimes I still love it.
Those look great!
Kacy recently posted…A side of weird
These look like the perfect breakfast- yum! Can’t wait to try ‘em 🙂
These are actually pretty darn good. I didn’t have almond flour, so I just tossed some raw almonds in the food processor . I made them to take on our road trip to snack on and I think they will be a hit.