No-Bake Carrot Cake Collagen Protein Bars (Low Carb, Low Calorie Treats!)
makes 3 protein bars. Please use the 2x 3x adjustable servings button for larger batches
Ingredients
Protein Bars
- ¼ cup shredded carrots , packed (about 30 grams)
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 6 Tbsp collagen peptides powder* see notes for substitutes
- 6 Tbsp coconut flour
- ¼ cup cream cheese of choice , low fat/full fat or vegan
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
For the greek yogurt frosting (optional)
- ½ recipe almond flour frosting recipe , click link to go to recipe
Instructions
- Stir the shredded carrots and maple syrup together and cook in a microwave safe glass bowl for 60-90 seconds until the carrots are hot and appear cooked. Wait until cool enough to handle.
- In another clean bowl, mix the dry ingredients: collagen peptides powder, coconut flour, and cinnamon powder.
- Next, mix in the cooked carrots (along with the maple syrup in the bowl), as well as the cream cheese --and use your hands to knead and get the dough to combine together.Add more coconut flour if the dough is too soft, add a teaspoon or more of water, maple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice if the dough is too thick
- Add some chopped nuts or raisins into the dough for additional texture, if desired.
- Shape dough into a rectangular mound, then wrap in plastic wrap or an airtight container, and let the dough set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice into bars.
- Top with frosting if desired. The protein bars can be enjoyed with or without additional frosting, which I added for decoration purposes.
Notes
*I used Vital Protein's Collagen Peptides Powder. I used a standard measuring cup to measure out the protein powder, but for reference: 6 Tbsp of collagen peptides was equivalent to 3 scoops, or 30 grams
Note on using other Protein Powders in this recipe: I haven't tried using other types of protein powders (i.e. whey, casein, pea, hemp, brown rice, egg protein, etc) in this recipe, but just from experience I know that collagen recipes require less liquid to hold the protein dough together. My suggestion for substituting collagen peptides is to add additional almond milk or water. 1-2 Tablespoons should be enough (just my guess, so I could be wrong!), but DO add half tablespoons of liquid at a time just in case, so you don't overhydrate the dough.
Nutrition
Calories: 176kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 13gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 164mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 6gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1894IUVitamin C: 1mgVitamin D: 0.1µgCalcium: 54mgIron: 0.5mgZinc: 0.2mg***Net Carbs: 14g
Did You Like this Recipe?I'd love to know more about it! Please leave a rating or comment below so I know what to add and which recipes to share with you next!