Chocolate of the Day
Made for Food Creation Nation
No Bake Protein Bar Mix
Good +
Weight: 2 oz. (56.6 g.) / 10.5 oz. (297 g.) in total package of mix
Calories: 200 calories in 4 prepared protein balls
Cost: $4.99 for 1 package
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA
Welcome to Day #1 of Chocolate Snacks Theme Week, featuring chocolate in many forms including bars, bites, balls, squares, pieces and truffles. Sometimes these snacks are both sweet and savory/salty. Sometimes they're not as sweet, and may be part of a high-protein snack.
Today's No Bake Protein Bar Mix was made for Food Creation Nation (Calabasas, CA). This starter mix, helped me easily and quickly create my own snacks (with instructions on adding more or less of various fats and liquids/sweeteners to taste).
This offering provided a great base for many different recipes. I made two different flavors (batches) of protein balls today: 1.) Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Banana, and 2.) Cacao Nibs, Cinnamon and Chili. (Later I made other shapes and tried different spice, nut and fruit flavors.)
The base mix had an aroma with chocolate and subtle coconut and nut notes and had the appearance of a thick brown sugar with tiny bits of coconut.
Pea protein added satisfying heft--allowing me to eat a few balls without feeling a sugar high or cravings later. Unlike the first protein dry mixes, there was no overly gritty, grainy or powdery/dry texture. The mix was finely ground enough to provide a relatively smooth, substantial base. It had enough base flavor to be a compelling foundation for protein balls, bars or bites.
The flavor: nutty, substantial, coconut bit texture and flavor, true chocolate (like a brownie without being overly sweet, with a relatively clean finish.
The protein balls I made were fast and easy to make. It was easy to customize the flavors I wanted with this base. I chilled them in the refrigerator for a few minutes and really enjoyed them. For those on the go, this is a great way to get started making protein snacks (and children can help too).
sweetness level - totally adjustable, depending on option level you choose. Like Asian tea places you opt for the sweetness level that fits your taste. Great idea. Semisweet chocolate chips and monk fruit as well as the dried coconut in the mix provided the right level of sweetness for me. Others are invited to add agave, honey or maple syrup (with suggested quantity listed).
Ingredients:
Allergen-related information: Contained Brazil nuts, coconuts. Certified GlutenFree; Non-GMO Project Verified; Certified Vegan; Keto Certified.