Lemon Protein Bars
I describe these Lemon Protein Bars as a cross between lemon cake and a lemon brownie, with one exception- they are good for you!
Servings: 12
Calories: 177kcal
Ingredients
- 1 and ¼ cups oat flour*
- ⅔ cups vanilla protein powder* Orgain Simple Creamy Vanilla
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large banana over-ripe, mashed
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup maple syrup*
- ⅓ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest the zest of one large or two small lemons
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper and set it aside. Here is a quick tutorial on how to line your pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk the oat flour, protein powder, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a medium size bowl , mash the banana using a fork or masher until no large lumps remain. Whisk in the eggs, maple syrup, lemon juice, lemon zest, and melted butter together with the banana.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and whisk until everything is well incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 19-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs).
- Allow the bars to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired and cut into 12 squares. Enjoy!
Notes
- Oat Flour- You can buy oat flour at most supermarkets, or you can make your own by blending old-fashioned oats in a blender until the oats become a fine powder (about 30 seconds to a minute). Store your oat flour in an air-tight container for up to three months.
- Vanilla Protein Powder- I used Orgain Simple Creamy Vanilla Protein Powder, which is plant-based. Feel free to substitute any plant-based vanilla protein powder, although I can't guarantee the exact results unless you use that specific one. Plant-based protein powders are more absorbent than whey, so if you choose to substitute a vanilla whey protein powder, it will most likely affect the texture and baking time.
- Maple Syrup- You can substitute your favorite liquid sweetener, such as honey. A sugar-free liquid sweetener works, too.
- Store your lemon protein bars covered at room temperature for a day or in the refrigerator for up to a week. I store mine individually in the fridge so I can grab one easily.
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 171IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg