Vegan Protein Bars with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

You might be bummed about getting back to the daily grind until Hanukkah, but I love this stretch of the year.

Finally, I can get back to my favorite eating routine, set new goals, and actually start doing everything I've been putting off until "after the holidays."

That's it. No more excuses.

So this morning, right after my coffee, I sat down and made a long list of everything waiting for me.

One item on that list: make a vegan protein bar I can take to class or the office instead of hauling around a shaker bottle and a bag of protein powder.

These bars also come in handy when I want something sweet with my coffee. Hello, 4 p.m. cravings.

Now, you're probably wondering: Do I have to eat protein bars or use protein powder if I work out?

My answer is always the same: Absolutely not. They're not always necessary. It really depends on your goals, your needs, and how you eat day to day.

I always, always recommend getting your daily protein from food whenever possible. That way, you get a wide range of other essential nutrients along with the protein. But there's nothing wrong with occasionally supplementing with protein powder or a vegan protein bar.

A Little About These Vegan Protein Bars

This snack is all that. (Admit it, that rhyme made you laugh. Don't play it cool!) It starts with 2 gluten-free flours with a lot to offer nutritionally: almond flour and soy flour. Both are high in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates.

Almond flour has a mild flavor that works beautifully in baked goods. Soy flour, on the other hand, has a strong, distinctive flavor, so I usually combine it with other flours.

Fair warning—don't say I didn't tell you! Soy flour has a characteristic taste that isn't for everyone. I think the peanut butter and chocolate do a great job of masking it.

If you're an unapologetic soy flour fan, increase its share of the mix and use less almond flour. You'll save a few bucks, too, because almond flour is expensive.

And if you like experimenting with other less-common flours, try replacing some of the flour with chickpea flour. Another heads-up: It has a strong, distinctive flavor of its own. Definitely one for the fans.

I also added 2 scoops of vanilla soy protein powder. If you don't have any, you can leave it out and add another 30 g (about 1 oz) of each flour, for 60 g (about 2 oz) total.

For this recipe, use a firm, no-stir peanut butter.

If you want to replace the peanut butter—someone's holding you at gunpoint, right?—use the same amount of almond butter or tahini straight from the jar.

Nutrition Information from Clinical Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer Noam Bachar (an Israeli nutrition and fitness professional):

One 50 g (1.8 oz) bar, from a batch of 12, contains:

• 246 calories
• 15 grams protein
• 16 grams carbohydrates
• 13 grams fat

Want another protein-packed snack recipe? Click here