Protein Brownie Bites: Guilt-Free Indulgence Recipe

Introduction

These Delicious Protein Brownie Bites are a perfect guilt-free indulgence for anyone craving a sweet treat with a nutritious boost. Made with ripe bananas, protein powder, and cocoa, they offer a rich chocolaty flavor while keeping things healthy and simple.

Ingredients

• 2 medium very ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter (use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option)
• 1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla or chocolate, plant-based for a vegan version)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (raw cacao powder recommended)
• Optional: 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (dairy-free for a fully vegan treat)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare silicone baking cups placed in a muffin tin.
2. Step 2: Mash the ripe bananas in a medium bowl until smooth with some small lumps remaining.
3. Step 3: Add the peanut butter or your choice of nut or seed butter to the bananas and stir until the mixture is creamy.
4. Step 4: Mix in the protein powder and cocoa powder until the batter is smooth and well combined.
5. Step 5: Fill the silicone cups about three-quarters full with the batter.
6. Step 6: If using, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of each filled cup.
7. Step 7: Bake the brownie bites for 20 minutes, or until the tops are set.
8. Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before taking them out of the silicone cups.

Tips & Variations

• Use very ripe bananas to enhance natural sweetness and moisture in the brownies.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to keep a tender texture.
• Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit for additional texture and flavor.
• Substitute maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness if desired, adjusting the wet ingredients accordingly.

Storage

Store the protein brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds for a soft and chewy texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these brownie bites gluten-free?

Yes, these brownie bites are naturally gluten-free as long as your protein powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Can I use a different protein powder?

Absolutely. You can choose any protein powder you prefer, such as whey, casein, or plant-based powders. Just keep in mind the flavor and texture might vary slightly.

Protein Brownie Bites: Guilt-Free Indulgence Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 71 reviews

Delicious Protein Brownie Bites are a guilt-free indulgence combining ripe bananas, peanut butter, protein powder, and cocoa powder to create a moist, flavorful treat. These bites are perfect as a healthy snack or dessert, offering a great balance of protein and sweetness with optional chocolate chips for extra delight. They’re vegan-friendly when using plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips, making them suitable for various dietary preferences.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 brownie bites 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

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For the Batter

• 2 medium bananas, very ripe
• 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free option)
• 1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla or chocolate, plant-based for vegan version)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (raw cacao powder recommended)

Optional Add-ins

• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (dairy-free for a fully vegan treat)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare silicone baking cups by placing them in a muffin tin for easy handling.
2. Mash Bananas: In a medium-sized bowl, mash 2 very ripe bananas until mostly smooth with some small lumps remaining for texture.
3. Mix Nut Butter: Add 1/2 cup of your chosen peanut butter or almond butter to the mashed bananas and stir until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
4. Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate 1/2 cup protein powder and 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into the wet mixture. Stir thoroughly until the batter is smooth and uniform without overmixing.
5. Fill Molds: Spoon the batter into the silicone baking cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
6. Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top of each filled cup if desired, adding extra bursts of chocolate flavor.
7. Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the tops of the brownie bites are set and a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean.
8. Cool and Serve: Remove the tin from the oven and let the brownie bites cool for 10 minutes before carefully removing them from the silicone cups. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain a tender crumb texture.
• Opt for plant-based protein powder and dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe vegan.
• Silicone baking cups make removal easy and reduce cleanup.
• Store leftover brownie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.

Keywords: protein brownie bites, healthy snacks, vegan desserts, peanut butter brownies, banana brownies, guilt-free dessert