These cashew cream bars are a no bake protein bar with nutrients that enhance energy levels and metabolism. They are high in fiber and protein, gluten free, and great to make ahead and freeze for a nutritious breakfast or any time snack or dessert.
Does the idea of cashew cream, coconut and chocolate go together? If you think so, I have got ya covered with these heavenly “to-die-for’ bars. They consist of a base layer of cashews, oats and coconut topped with a chocolate frosting for a rich, delectable dessert or healthy treat.
Made with simple, clean ingredients they are perfect as gift-giving treats or when you are craving candy bars only these are way better! You can also customize them easily with your own creative twists!
As a long term fitness professional who is immersed in the health and wellness field, it’s fun to keep tabs on the latest trends. Traditionally, many trends over the last decade or more have (unfortunately) revolved around elimination diets in which certain foods or food groups are restricted or eliminated entirely. Think grains, dairy, carbs, fats, meat and so on.
In their place came foods marketed as low-calorie, low-fat, low-this, low-that were usually interpreted by novice consumers to mean “healthy” right? However, we are now finally starting to see a paradigm shift. People are beginning to change their mindset around food and paying closer attention to not only the nutrition label, but also the ingredients.
Consumers are becoming more interested in ADDING more nutritious ingredients to their diet, as opposed to eliminating foods or entire food groups.
What perhaps is even more exciting is that fat is no longer demonized. Items like coconut oil, avocado oil, nuts and nut flours are being used more widely for their nutritional benefits with less emphasis on their caloric value.
People trying to reduce their sugar intake often complain about the lack of sweets in their quest to get healthier. That’s because a low-carb way of eating is very focused on eliminating harmful sugar from your diet. But there are options for that lingering sweet tooth in your life.
Hence these good for you Cashew Cream Chocolate Protein bars are packed with healthy fats and antioxidants. Eating more healthy fats is a great way to help satisfying your sweet cravings without the sugar.
Not only is this candy replacement insanely delicious and easy to prepare, it also comes with some surprising health benefits. From vitamins and minerals to plenty of healthy fats that support hormone health and neurotransmitter production, these scrummy bars are the perfect addition to any healthy eating plan.
One small square makes me happy in an instant. It’s soft and chewy and you are going to love this superfood candy. This recipe is a simple and delicious way to incorporate the amazing health benefits of coconut and cashews into your lifestyle.
Why you must make this recipe:
Like a candy bar. These cashew bars have a chewy texture like rice krispies with a chocolate top, only the texture is from nutritious oatmeal.
Surprising nutrition. Baked bars often use butter as a binder, but this recipe uses cashews instead. While butter is made up of saturated fat, cashews are more nutritious and heart healthy with unsaturated fat. Oats provide exception fiber, also lower cholesterol and provide heart-healthy support.
No bake and easy to make. Once you have soaked the cashews and the dates so they blend into a gorgeous creamy paste, you can whip these bars up fast. Press the batter into a loaf pan, top with chocolate and slice. Bars are ready in 20 minutes.
These simple yet oh-so-delicious cashew butter chocolate protein bars are made with plenty of pantry staples and your go-to protein powder. The result seriously tastes like dessert, so you are gonna want to keep some in the fridge for when that sweet tooth hits!
Cashew Cream Oat Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line an 7 x 5-inch loaf pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.Add cashews and dates to a food processor and process until a thick paste is formed. Add oats, coconut, protein powder, coconut and vanilla and continue to process until well combined.Be careful not to over process as its nice to have texture variance and different sized “bits” in your protein bars.Press the mixture into the lined pan and spread out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.
Chocolate Topping
- Place chocolate chips and coconut oil in small dish and microwave with 20 second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once melted, pour on top of bars and spread out evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.Place in fridge for 10 minutes for chocolate to set then slice into 8 bars or more smaller squares.Store in fridge for up to 1 week or up to 3 months in freezer.
