Homemade Chocolate & Sea Salt RX Bars

With New Year’s resolutions being made this Homemade Chocolate & Sea Salt RX Bar Recipe comes with perfect timing! This recipe is made with natural, whole ingredients that come together super quick and pack a healthy dose of protein.

The RX bars are very similar to a Lara Bar, but in my opinion have a better texture and flavor profile. RX Bars have become very popular because they’re one of few protein bars allowed on Whole 30.  However, they come at a high cost. (Of course they do, because they’re delicious!) Most places charge $2.00+ for ONE bar that I can finish in 4 bites. It’s unfortunate, yet I would still buy that over many protein bars that are full of unnecessary additives.

So I figured, RX bars are made with only a few ingredients, I should be able to recreate something similar.  AND I DID, HALLELUJAH. Texture is on point, color is exact, and taste is sublime!

For this recipe you’ll need to grab some egg white protein powder – I got this one on Amazon or use Collagen Powder. Nutritionally, the protein in egg whites is high in what is called “biological value.” First, a little primer on proteins. Proteins are composed of different building blocks called amino acids. A good comparison is the alphabet. Words are composed of a specific order and combination of letters. Likewise, proteins are composed of a specific order and combination of amino acids. During digestion, proteins get broken down to amino acids. The body then uses these building blocks to make the proteins it needs: whether that be muscle tissue, hormones, or immune cells, etc. So, when a protein has high biological value, it contains a similar proportion of essential amino acids to what our body typically needs to use.  These bars are satisfying and high in protein, making it easy to have a healthy snack and keep your New Years Resolutions on track.

You’ll also need to grab some cashews & almonds.  I chose to substitute almond flour in place of whole almonds because it’s cheaper, & quicker. Also, the nutrition information is the exact same because it’s literally almonds blended up. Although, if you use blanched almond flour the almonds are first blanched to remove the skin, and then ground up.

These bars are just so convenient to take on the go and store in my lunchbox.  They help prevent me from hitting up a vending machine when the hunger strikes, and keep me satisfied until the next meal.  My favorite thing is that the dates in this recipe provide a natural sweetness that satisfies my sweet tooth and keeps me from scouring the candy jar. They are delicious, nutritious, and easy to make.

Happy Snacking!

 

Homemade Chocolate & Sea Salt RX BARS

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup egg white protein powder or 4-5 scoops (9-10 tablespoons) of collagen powder
• 2 cups dates, or about 18 large medjool dates, 36 small medjool dates, pitted
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1/4 cup water, add more water if needed by the tablespoon to consistency like cookie dough
• 1/2 teaspoon large grain salt (I use pink Himalayan salt)

Directions

1. Line an 8×8 inch square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a food processor, add the almonds and cashews and pulse until chopped up.
3. Add in the water, egg white powder, dates, and cacao powder. Process until combined.
4. Add in water a tablespoon at a time and process until mixture blends together like cookie dough. It should be moist enough to stick together, but not too wet where it’s overly sticky. This may take a minute to fully come together, just keep processing until it does.
5. Press evenly into prepared pan, sprinkle with large grain salt and refrigerate.
6. Cut into squares. Keep refrigerated for best texture. They can be at room temperature, but will soften.