This high-protein granola is super simple and requires ingredients you probably have in your pantry. It’s quick, simple, and of course perfectly sweet (using only natural sweeteners).
This gluten-free granola is also dairy-free and can easily be made vegan with a few substitutions.
What You Need For Healthy High-Protein Gluten-free Granola
Your favorite natural nut-butter (yes- we’re talking the drippy stuff- other peanut butter like Jif may not work since it has added ingredients that alters it’s texture)
Vegan plant-based butter of choice (I used Earth Balance)
Honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
Vanilla extract
Certified Gluten-Free rolled oats (I get mine from Trader Joe’s since they’re the cheapest)
Collagen peptides (omit for vegan)
Your Favorite Dairy-free (or vegan) Chocolate chips
Your favorite nuts (I used honey roasted peanuts)
Cinnamon
Sea Salt
How To Make That Perfect CRUNCH
Remember to flip! Both sides of the granola should be flipped half-way through. This makes the granola bake evenly, making both sides of the granola as crunchy as it can be!
Watch the oven! Granola can get burnt very easily if you take your eyes off of it or forget to flip it. Once you see the granola turn golden brown, give it a good flip!
Let the granola cool for at least 45 minutes. The granola hardens when it cools so this is a critical step!
A Note To Remember about Natural Granola
Since this is natural granola, it will not be as crunchy as the typical store brand that has sugar cane and other preservative ingredients.
Looking for more simple snack recipes? Check out my other recipes below:
High-protein Gluten-Free Granola made with simple ingredients. This go-to recipe can be made in a snap!
Ingredients
Scale
2 tbsp natural peanut butter (The drippy kind)
2 tbsp melted vegan butter of choice ( I used the Earth Balance brand)
Heaping 1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups Certified Gluten-Free rolled oats
2 scoops of collagen (2 scoops = 2 servings for the collagen peptides I used)
3/4 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 F and spray a large baking sheet with non-stick spray. You can also use parchment paper.
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, except for the chocolate chips. Mix everything well so that the granola is evenly coated in the honey and that there are no dry areas.
Transfer the granola to the large baking sheet and spread it out into an even layer. A trick that works for me is hitting the baking sheet on the counter a few times. It makes the granola spread easier across the baking sheet.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the granola halfway through. When the granola is done baking it should appear golden brown
Let the granola cool for at least 45 minutes.
Break the granola into clumps once cooled.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips into the granola.
Store in an air-tight container at room temp for about 1 week.
Nutrition
Serving Size:1/2 cup
Calories:239
Sugar:9 grams
Fat:11 grams
Carbohydrates:26 grams
Fiber:5 grams
Protein:9 grams
Keywords: Gluten free granola, collagen peptides, high protein granola, healthy granola, dairy free granola, vegan granola, dairy free
This delicious Healthy Protein Packed Hot Chocolate (or Hot Pro-Coa as I would call it) is made with minimal ingredients and is the perfect go-to drink in the morning, afternoon, or night!
What You Need To Make Hot Pro-Coa
Cocoa powder (or Cacao powder for vegan)
Vegan protein of choice (vanilla or chocolate) (I used Orgain Chocolate peanut butter)
Vanilla extract
Non-dairy milk of choice
Cane sugar
Cinnamon
Sea salt
The Key To Making The Perfect Healthy Dairy Free Protein Hot Chocolate
In order to create the perfect texture that results in no clumps in your hot chocolate I recommend adding all the ingredients in a blender bottle and giving it a good shake before pouring it into your favorite festive mug and heating it up in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
By doing this you will break apart most of the clumps that could occur.
Another option for those who have rather clumpy protein powders or cocoa is to sift the cocoa and the protein powder.
The Perfect Topping
After you’ve heated up your hot chocolate in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute I recommend pairing it with your favorite dairy free whipped cream and adding a dash of cinnamon on the top (for taste and esthetic of course)!
Now that your Healthy Protein Hot Cocoa is ready you can turn on your favorite holiday movie, slip into your comfiest jammies and enjoy!
The simplest and healthiest protein hot cocoa you’ll ever make! Guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit!
Ingredients
Scale
1/2 Tbsp Cocoa or Cacao powder ( I recommend increasing this to 1 TBSP if you use vanilla protein powder)
2 TBSP Vanilla or chocolate vegan protein powder (I used Orgain chocolate peanut butter)
2 tsp. cane sugar
1 cup non-dairy milk of choice
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
dash of sea salt (very small amount)
dash of cinnamon
Instructions
Add all ingredients into a blender bottle and give it a good shake until there are no clumps and all ingredients are combined. If you have clumpy cocoa/cacao powder or protein powder I recommend sifting it prior to adding it to the blender bottle. If you are not a fan of hies of cinnamon in your hot chocolate omit the dash of cinnamon. If you use a vanilla protein powder I recommend using 1 Tbsp of cocoa/cacao powder.
Pour the ingredients into your favorite festive mug and microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. This time may vary depending on your microwave and the size of your mug.
Top with your favorite dairy free whipped cream and an additional decorative dash of cinnamon.
Notes
The protein powder you use may yield an alternate texture as all protein powders are not created equally.
Nutrition
Serving Size:1 Hot Cocoa W/o whipped cream
Sugar:8
Fat:4
Carbohydrates:13
Fiber:2
Protein:9
Keywords: hot cocoa, dairy free hot cocoa, hot chocolate, protein hot cocoa, protein hot chocolate, vegan hot cocoa, healthy holiday drink
My low carb Buffalo Dip is packed with protein and flavor! It’s the perfect appetizer to enjoy at a game day potluck or a yummy lunch to pair with crackers or carrots and celery.
Here’s the Deets on this Healthy Recipe
To make this yummy dip you’ll need greek yogurt and cream cheese for the bulk of this recipe. The greek yogurt will be where we will get the added protein in addition to the chicken.
I swapped out the sour cream in this recipe with greek yogurt to boost the protein content and reduce the fat content as well.
I kept the classic parts of this dip the same though by using the buffalo sauce as the key for doctoring this up along with the cheese. You can certainly choose a lower fat cheese such as mozzarella, but for this recipe I used my favorite cheese, which is a 4 cheese blend.
Here’s The Key Ingredients:
Buffalo sauce
Greek yogurt
Cream cheese (softened)
Garlic powder
Shredded chicken
Cheese of choice
Green onions
You are going to need a pretty large bowl for this recipe as the yield is a generous 8×8 dip that is Thick.
I would also recommend getting some carrots, celery, and crackers to pair with this as it makes for a great crunchy combo!
It’s Super Simple
This dip is by far one of the quickest recipes you can make for a potluck or even as a part of your meal prep for the week.
It’s as simple as
Let the cream cheese soften and combine everything in a bowl
Spread the contents from the bowl in an 8×8 pan and add half the shredded cheese on the first layer
Pour the remaining batter into the 8×8 pan and top with the rest of the cheese and bake for 30 minutes
Let cool and garnish with green onions
Bam, just like that a Low Carb Buffalo Dip is done!
Fresh, tasty, and healthy! These 6 ingredient Tostadas are the perfect simple lunch or dinner that is packed with protein and of course guac!
You’re in a pinch! You don’t even want to eye another lean meat and vegetable meal that you’ve had for the last 3 days…
Then these Super Simple Healthy Tostadas are for You!
What do I need?
Good news! It isn’t much!
corn tortillas
guacamole (I used good foods as i’s my favorite store bought guacamole)
cilantro
taco seasoning
shrimp
feta cheese
Aside from a dash of salt and optional oil you should be good.
How In The Heck Do I Make A Crunchy Tostada?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees
Spray one or both sides of the corn tortillas with avocado or olive oil non-stick spray
Add them flat onto a pan and sprinkle sea salt over them
Bake them in the oven for 4-5 minutes on each side and flip them halfway through. If you would like extra crispy tostadas bake them for another 2 minutes on each side, just watch them closely to be sure they don’t burn.
What Seasoning Should I Use?
Unfortunately, most taco seasonings you find in the store contain added sugar. Sigh, I know it’s a shame, but you are in luck! I have a natural recipe that involves zero added sugar and contains most spices you likely have in your cubboards.
2 Tbsp cumin
3 Tbsp chili powder
1.5 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1.5 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp sea salt
Just mix this all up in a small bowl and then store the seasoning in either a ziploc bag or in a small airtight container.
You can use any taco seasoning for this recipe though if you’re in a pinch. I know I would be lying if I said I always had my taco seasoning on deck to use at all times.
Perhaps one of my favorite things about making these is how fancy I feel eating a tostada from my couch, although I know it only took about 15 minutes.
The protein from the shrimp, fat from guacamole, and carbs from corn tortilla make for a healthy and satisfying meal that keeps me full well after that 3 PM snack attack time.
The Taco’s BFF boasting with flavor, guac, feta, and everything in between! With grams of protein you can kick your hunger to the curb!
Ingredients
Scale
4corn tortillas
12 large shrimp (deveined and peeled)
2 tsp avocado oil
1.5 tsp taco seasoning (my recipe for this is above, but any taco seasoning will do)
dash of sea salt
3 Tbsp guacamole (I used Good Foods Store bought Guac, and it’s the best I’ve ever had from a store)
3 Tbsp crumbled feta (I used reduced fat feta, but feel free to use whichever you like)
1 Tbsp cilantro
Optional: Lime
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray the corn tortilla shells with non-stick spray on one or both sides.
Sprinkle sea salt over the corn tortillas and bake in the oven for 4-5 minutes on each side, flipping them over halfway through. if you prefer very crispy tostadas you can add another 1-2 minutes on each side but watch them carefully so they don’t burn.
While the tostadas burn heat a pan over medium-high heat with the oil. Add the seasoning to the shrimp and then add the shrimp to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes on each side. If you have larger shrimp you may want to cook them closer to 3 minutes. once they are done cooking set aside.
Chop the cilantro and set aside.
Remove the tostadas from the oven and let the tostadas cool for a few minutes and then add the guacamole to the tostadas.
Add the shrimp to the tostadas, then the feta and chopped cilantro.
I don’t know about you, but I think these Peanut Butter Banana Blondies are the legit Bomb .Com
After all, what could beat the most satisfying combo of Peanut Butter, Bananas, and Honey?
We’ve all been there, those spotty bananas eyeing you as soon as you enter the kitchen…
They have one day before their bad, but you don’t want to waste the sweetness of the fructose coming to its full bloom!
Then it hits! Not banana bread, but Banana Blondies! With hues of honey and peanut butter the ultimate breakfast and snack overtakes your mind!
And your tastebuds 😉
One of the best things about these is how versatile they are. Since they are gluten free and dairy free all your dietary restricted friends can enjoy! I have a few friends who fall into these categories and whenever we attend a potluck I always make it a priority to make something they can enjoy.
As well as for myself of course because I fall into both of those categories. Gluten free 100% of the time and dairy free about 70% of the time. Some days are better than others…and some are full of goat cheese staring you in the face with crackers and red pepper jam…
Any-who, as I was saying these Peanut Butter Banana Blondies are great for breakfast, a mid afternoon snack, second breakfast, and dessert.
You are not seeing it wrong I did say second breakfast because some days you need a breakfast after your breakfast.
I know what you’re thinking…that looks like a lot of collagen and you’re right in a sense (these ingredients are spread over many servings) but let me tell you why I opt for collagen in this case instead of a typical vegan/dairy free protein.
Frankly, I am fed up with using pea protein blends. Yes there is egg protein as well and hemp but I despise the texture and the taste. Every time I hear people say you can mask the taste I have to wonder…
Why would someone lie about that?
Seriously though, if you’ve tried straight or even flavored hemp protein and pea protein you know what I’m talking about!
Yes there are good brands and blends here and there but the beauty of collagen is that you can add it to baked goods without the texture changing. When you use a pea or a hemp beyond it’s serving size things usually tend to get, well…
Earthy…
You can draw your own conclusions there but trust me! Collagen is the way to go for this recipe. You can also omit this if you would prefer not to have it in the recipe just remember, as I mentioned before collagen doesn’t affect the texture of the recipe so there is no reducing liquid or changing ingredient amounts.
The same goes for my collagen glaze, you can omit the collagen if you would like but you will miss out on the added benefits of a higher protein treat that will keep you satiated longer.
But it’s your choice, either way these Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Blondies will turn out divine!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8×8 pan with non-stick spray
Microwave the peanut butter in a small bowl for 30 seconds
In a food processor add the honey, mashed bananas, and vanilla and blend until all ingredients are combined.
Sift the flour into the food processor and add in the baking soda and powder.
Add the chocolate chips in and pulse them in short bursts to slightly spread and break up the chips.
Spread the mixture into the pan and bake for 35-40 minutes. This may vary based on the all-purpose flour you used and if you used natural drippy peanut butter.
Notes
The nutrition was calculated using 1/2 batch of the protein collagen icing.
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