Winter asks for something warm and wholesome that fills the gut and provides energy for a long time. Our body needs to constantly produce energy to keep itself warm. Oftentimes, it's hard to maintain a healthy diet when we're constantly hungry. Therefore, winter is a great time to enjoy energy bars that provide a boost of nutrients and warmth.
Protein bars offer an instant recovery from exhaustion and are a practical choice for those who have busy schedules. They provide a convenient and portable source of protein, which is essential for maintaining muscle mass, promoting satiety, and supporting overall body function. Along with this, they can also be a good sweet for festivals. Processed protein bars are filled with lots of preservatives and added flavours, which is not a good option when it comes to health.
Therefore, we bring you six of the most beloved and energetic protein bar recipes that you can prepare at home and save yourselves from the sin of gluttony.
1) Peanut And Jaggery Chikki
Our old-school peanut jaggery chikki is a powerhouse for our bodies during the winter. To make these, skinned and roasted peanuts are mixed with melted jaggery, frozen, and then cut into bars to bite sizes so anyone can carry them anywhere. It is the most preferred choice for energy bars because of its ease of making and availability.
2) Rolled Oats And Peanuts Energy Bar
Rolled oats are known for their quick digestion and energy providing properties. They are good for making protein bars. Rolled oats and peanut energy bars can be made easily and you can also experiment with different ingredients and dry fruits. Just mix finely chopped dry fruits of your choice with oats, raisins, and preferred spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Add peanut butter and honey and mix well in a food processor, then freeze and cut into bars.
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3) Dates And Nuts Protein Bar
Dates are a good source of natural sugars that can provide energy to the body for a long time. Dates, when combined with nuts, can offer a great supplement for energy during shilling times. To make these, blend dates in the processor, then add flax seeds, cocoa powder, and a little salt. Add roasted, chopped nuts and blend until well combined. Transfer to a tray and allow to freeze, then cut into bars and enjoy.
4) Muesli Bars
Muesli is prepared using a diverse range of healthy ingredients. Muesli bars are a nutritious snack that you can have anytime of the day. Muesli bars are made with honey, oats, and hazelnuts; you can enhance the flavour with dried cranberries, candied ginger, or spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
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5) Peanut Butter Bar
The healthy fats in peanut butter make this bar a comforting meal option during the winter. To make these, just combine oats, honey, flax seeds, protein powder, and salt in a large bowl, ensuring thorough mixing. Add peanut butter and coconut oil and blend the ingredients until a lumpy mixture forms. Transfer the mixture to a tin or baking tray, spreading it evenly. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set. Cut into pieces and serve or store for a convenient and tasty snack.
6) Chocolate Protein Bar
Adding a touch of chocolate to everything makes it a bit more fun and delicious. To make a chocolate protein bar, combine milk, jaggery powder, cocoa powder, and butter in a pan and mix well. Once smooth, turn off the heat and add muesli, chocolate chips, cashews, almonds, and vanilla extract, giving it a good mix. Line a baking tray with butter paper and pour the mixture onto it, spreading evenly. Allow it to cool slightly before refrigerating for 2 hours. Cut the refrigerated mixture into pieces and it's ready!
7) Chickpea Energy Bar
Chickpea protein bars are pretty awesome because they pack in a solid dose of plant-based protein. This means they're great for providing muscle support and keeping you feeling satisfied. For this easy and nutritious chickpea protein bar recipe, you'll need 400 g of boiled chickpeas, a banana, half-a-cup of peanut butter, 2 spoons each of chia seeds, powdered flax seeds, and honey. Simply toss all these ingredients into a blender, blending until a coarse mixture forms. Transfer the mixture to a baking tray, spreading it evenly, and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Once done, cut it into pieces, and you've got yourself a wholesome batch of homemade chickpea protein bars ready to be enjoyed!