Homemade Protein Bars

This guide explains that making homemade protein bars is simple and quick. Homemade protein bars have no preservatives and you control the sugar content In addition recipes and storage suggestions are readily available in books and on the internet.

Ingredients

Homemade protein and fiber bars have a foundation of a combination of fiber cereal, oats, Wheat germ, peanut butter, butter or margarine, powdered nonfat milk, vanilla extract, chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry flavored protein powder. You can sweeten the bars with Splenda artificial sweetener, natural honey, brown sugar or raw sugar. You can also add raisins, chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, cinnamon, shredded coconut, marshmallows, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, carob chips, sesame seeds or sunflower seeds.

Cooking process
Before hands get stickyit is a good idea to prepare the pan (if baking is involved) with non stick spray, greasing and dusting with flour, washing and drying the cutting board, or whatever the recipe calls for. Standard cooking methods usually start with the measuring of all dry ingredients first. Butter or margarine is softened quickly in the microwave. Sugar, sweetener, or honey is mixed in with the softened butter and stirred in a method known as creaming. If eggs or liquids are in the recipe they would be added to the creamed mixture. The dry ingredients are added next to the mixture. Finally all the goodies like nuts, berries, chocolate chips, and shredded coconuts are folded into the mixture. Depending on the recipe being followed it is either time to bake or spread the mixture on a prepare plate, cutting board or pan.

Storing Homemade Protein Bars

Keep in mind that unlike commercially produced protein bars there will be no preservatives in homemade protein and fiber bars. Therefore extra care in storing must be taken to keep the homemade protein bars fresh. Freezer zip bags work well for storage especially when the extra air is forced out of the bag before closing. Plastic containers with air tight lids are another option. If properly packaged homemade protein bars can be frozen. Never leave the bars in a container that is not air tight. In most cases the homemade protein bars should be stored in the refrigerator. Check the recipe for storage suggestion.

Finding recipes

Recipes can be found in many places. Most likely the protein powder used in the homemade protein bars will have recipe suggestion on the label or on their website. Natural cookbooks from the bookstore or library will have endless suggestions and recipes for creating high protein meals and snacks. The internet is a wealth of homemade protein and fiber bar recipes. An internet search will reveal countless Blogs and websites full of recipes submitted by cooks who have created or tried the recipe. You will find endless ideas for creative ingredients that can be added or different storage suggestions.

Tip

These recipes are simple to follow and are not excessively time consuming. Because maintaining freshness can be an issue it is a good plan to just make the amount needed for a few days.