Who doesn't crave pumpkin this time of year? It's everywhere!
Coffee.
Cheesecake.
Muffins.
Bread.
I even saw a "limited edition" pumpkin spice chicken sausage in the butcher case at the grocery store over the weekend. Unfortunately, most of these items (with maybe the exception of the sausage) are pretty unhealthy, loaded with sugar and artificial flavors. Even still, they're so darn delicious!
If only there was a healthy option that would satisfy that pumpkin craving...
Well, you're in luck.
PUMPKIN PROTEIN BARS!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Xylitol Brown Sugar Blend (such as Splenda, Truvia)
- 4-oz. jar baby food applesauce
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large egg whites
- 15-oz. can raw pumpkin
- 2 cups oat flour
- 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray a 9 X 13 Pyrex dish with nonstick spray.
- Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well.
- Add the oat flour, whey protein, almond milk, and walnuts, and mix until incorporated. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min.
- Makes 24 squares.
These protein bars are perfect quick snacks. They can be used to "fill in the gap" when you're hungry and not quite up for a full meal. They're also great if you are craving something sweet at night and don't want to indulge too much. Finally, they can be used to put something in your stomach before you work out.
Give em' a try and let us know what you think.
*Original recipe came from here