While attempting to cut back on added sugar and processed foods and also get in extra protein on the 100 Days of Real Food nutrition plan, I looked for ideas for the occasional yummy, high protein sweet “treat.” When we first started the diet, I made a different version of protein balls but recently made these and found that I liked them more. Plus, I added a few “lactation friendly” ingredients to them for a bonus (oatmeal, flax seeds and Brewer’s Yeast are known natural breast milk production boosters).
This recipe has does have protein power, which is definitely not a “whole food” but I’ve allowed my Vega Performance Protein (and now, Shakeology) while on this plan, so to me, this recipe is fair game! Honey is also an approved sweetener on the diet.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons Brewer’s Yeast (you can leave this out if not breastfeeding, although it has plenty of beneficial qualities!).
- 2 scoops vanilla Vega Performance Protein (or any protein powder)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 T ground flax seeds
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)
- 2 T natural honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 T almond milk (or other milk or even water)
- Add oats, protein powder, cinnamon, Brewer’s Yeast and flax seeds to a large bowl.
- Add in peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Mixture should be slightly sticky but still crumbly.
- Slowly add in liquid 1 tablespoon at a time and using hands and combine until it comes together in a sticky ball that hold together. If mixture is too dry, add in more liquid but not so much that it won’t hold shape (for me, this was about 6 tablespoons).
- Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Store in fridge until ready to eat.
Based on the way I rolled them, this made 20 balls. They are a bit crumbly but pretty good! Nutrition information below.
Adapted from this recipe.
Have you ever made your own homemade protein bars or balls?
I think I actually made these exact ones (without the brewer’s yeast) and I didn’t get it quite right! I’m going to try again since I love the convenience of having them!!
These look yummy! It’s so easy to make homemade high protein snacks like this and they’re always tastier than bought versions in my opinion.
Just when I have been looking around for different snack options… this seems like a tasty easy treat to make. I have been loving anything with peanut butter lately, so I might have to give these a try. What is brewer’s yeast? I don’t know much about this. Do they get pretty messy when you are mixing everything together?
Yeah it’s pretty messy! The original recipe actually called for 3 tablespoons of honey and I might try that next time to make them even more sticky. You can definitely omit the brewer’s yeast but it’s known to increase breast milk supply (I already had it on hand because it’s an ingredient in pretty much all lactation cookies). It’s literally the yeast that they use to make beer ! It’s high in B vitamins and is pretty protein rich. But it’s very bitter if you use too much.
Yum! These look delish. I’ve found a similar recipe online that I’ve been making a lot lately but will now have to try these. My problem is just not eating too many in one sitting 🙂 xoxo