Paleo Cacao Coffee Protein Bars made with dates, nuts, egg white protein, cacao powder, and espresso or instant coffee. Simple and quick, perfect for the morning or even a midday snack. Vegetarian, no added sugars, Whole30 compliant.
You know what is tough? Getting back into the swing of things. Getting back into routines and work mode and exercise and more nutritious foods. It can be tough because we (must) allow ourselves to take breaks.
A break from routine to feel free again.
A break from work to feel relaxed.
A break from exercise to feel rested.
A break from greens to enjoy the sweets.
Jill Coleman on Instagram asked something along the lines of “Can you find/reach/know balance without going through an extreme?” The poll seemed to be about 60/40, with 60% of people saying “No.”
My thoughts? I’m not sure… My first thought is “No.” Kind of like sometimes you have to experience the lows to appreciate the highs. But then I think maybe it possible? I think about the future generations–maybe my future children–and hope somehow we can instill in them what it means to know balance, without having to go through an extreme (i.e. over/under-eating, exercise obsession, etc.).
There was definitely a trend in 2017 of practicing self-care, finding balance, meditation and taking more time for oneself… At least in the wellness space. I hope that trend carries into 2018 and we can continue to learn from one another while discovering more about ourselves.
At the same time we also need to remember everyone is different, and everyone’s journey in wellness (or whatever it may be) is different. To become inspired by someone is one thing, but to allow their actions to question your own is not something we want.
I want to (gently) remind all of you that when following people (including me) in the “healthy living” space that you should consume everything with a little asterisk * – meaning what works for one person may not work for you. I often see so many people promoting their “no excuses” workouts exclaiming “I may be tired and exhausted but got my workout in!” That may be great for them but I do wonder if that workout they’re doing is coming from a place of self-love.
And while I am kind of over those types of exclamations influencing my thoughts and practices, I know not everyone is there yet. Just because someone likes to workout 5-6 days a week and you’re better off with 3-4 (or less!) that shouldn’t change your own approach to your own wellness journey. You know what I am saying?
Take the Whole30 diet, for example. Everyone who knows what it is seems to have an opinion on it. I sure had some negative thoughts and judgements about the diet before I fully understood what it was. But the thing is sometimes a diet works for people. I don’t advocate for any diet long-term but some people may need that structure to kickstart their healthy journey.
I will not be completing a Whole30 myself this month like I did last year, but I do plan on continuing to offer some real food recipes that may be Whole30-friendly.
Enter:
Paleo Cacao Coffee Protein Bars
what you need
- medjool dates
- nuts
- egg white protein powder
- cacao powder
- espresso powder
- cacao nibs
I based these off of my basic 4-ingredient Homemade Protein Bars but wanted to give you guys a delicious new flavor combo, so cacao coffee protein bars it is!
These coffee protein bars are great for a grab-n-go in the morning or as a midday pick-me-up – Unless you’re sensitive to caffeine then consuming one of these midday may not be the best for you. Just use your best judgement 😉
They’re basically a take on the RXBAR, but made at home in your food processor (or high-powered blender). They take just minutes to mix together and then you just press them into a pan and chill them before cutting. Simple and quick!
Definitely my new favorite snack bar. Let me know if you try them!
How to Make…
Paleo Cacao Coffee Protein Bars [RXBAR copycat]
Paleo Cacao Coffee Protein Bars made with dates, nuts, egg white protein, cacao powder, and espresso or instant coffee. Simple and quick, perfect for the morning or even a midday snack. Vegetarian, no added sugars, Whole30 compliant.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups nuts (I used half almonds, half pecans, but cashews or walnuts would also work)
- 1 cup egg white protein powder
- 1/4 cup cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa)
- 3 TBS instant coffee, or espresso powder (can adjust to taste)
- 18 large Medjool dates, pitted (10 ounces)
- 3–5 TBS water, as needed to blend
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs, optional
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper or use square silicone pan; set aside.
- In the bowl of your food processor, process nuts, egg white protein, cacao powder and coffee powder until nuts have broken down into small pieces. Careful not to over-process, as the nuts will continue to break down in the next step.
- Add in pitted dates and process until combined–the mixture will look a little dry. With the motor running about 1 tablespoon of water at a time until mixture is sticky and everything comes together. Depending on if your dates were juicy or dry, you may need less or more water. I used 6 tablespoons.
- Once mixtures has come together and is sticky, remove S-blade and stir in cacao nibs if using.
- Transfer mixture to lined 8×8 pan. Use slightly wet hands to press evenly into pan. I use his fun little pastry roller to make it extra flat.
- Place pan in fridge for 1 hour, or freezer for 30 minutes before cutting into bars. Use large sharp knife and cutting board, cutting bars into 12 or 16 squares.
- Store bars in airtight container in fridge for about 2-3 weeks, or wrapped tightly in freezer for longer.
Recipes Notes:
Bars can be enjoyed at room temperature but keep best in fridge. Store bars in covered container, with parchment paper in between layers.
Approximate nutrition – 1/12 bars: 216 calories, 12g fat, 26g carbs, 5g fiber, 17g sugar, 9g protein
*nutrition will change based on type of nuts used, this is a rough estimate.
SOME OF THE PRODUCTS I USED IN TODAY’S RECIPE
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Julia says
Would it help to soak my dates overnight or do you think the water is enough? I only own a small blender and am worried it won’t be powerful enough to break everything down.
Ashley says
Hi Julia, I don’t think soaking overnight is going to make too much of a difference here. What you could do is try breaking down the ingredients in batches. For example start by pulsing nuts and cacao together then remove and make a date paste (adding a touch of water to dates while blending) then combining in bowl. I’ve made recipes like this in my NutriBullet before if that is the type of small blender you have. Let me know if you try!
Kim says
What if you don’t have egg white powder?
Ashley says
You can use collagen peptides (another recipe here for amount) or try adding about 2/3 cup plant based protein. You may need more or less water – I always suggest adding 1 TBS of water at a time until the mixture comes together. Hope that helps!
Chomp says
I don’t have egg white powder and collagen peptide … what should I use instead, please?
Ashley says
You can either omit and decrease the water amount, or try adding about 1/2 cup plant protein and adjust the water accordingly. I have no tried these with whey. The main thing is once you get to adding the dates, only add water 1-2 TBSP at a time and process until slightly sticky. If changing protein powder options, the water amount will likely change as well. Hope that helps!
Sabrina Sentino says
Made these last night and just ate 1/2 of a bar so my afternoon snack. So yummy! I was tempted to eat the other half, that’s how much I liked it. But I resisted since I’m strict with my calories right now. Your website is wonderful. I have several recipes of yours that I’m trying this week.
★★★★★
Ashley says
Thank you for your comment and review! Glad you liked them 🙂
Hannah Ketcham says
approx how much caffeine would be in each of these bars? Just wondering if it would be enough in the afternoons or evenings to affect my sleep at night.
Ashley says
I don’t think very much at all – only 3TBSP of instant coffee for the entire recipe. Everyone’s caffeine tolerance is different, but I imagine you’d be okay enjoying these late afternoon or so.