No Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars

Having easy-peasy snacks like these No Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars can be a game-changer. Here’s the scoop…

If acne and its BFF, mood swings, are giving you a hard time, it’s super important to keep your blood sugar levels steady. Missing out on meals can send your blood sugar on a rollercoaster ride. This not only boosts sebum production (which clogs your pores) but can also send your mood on that crazy twisty-turny adventure. So, grabbing a quick snack can be a small yet mighty step in your journey to clearer skin.

The Acne-Triggering Culprits in Your Protein Powder

1. Dairy: Many protein powders, especially the popular whey-based ones, are derived from dairy. Unfortunately, conventional dairy can contribute to leaky gut and cause digestive issues, which in turn can lead to skin inflammation and acne breakouts.

2. Refined Sugar: Many protein powders contain added sugars to make them taste better. Sugar, however, can lead to an insulin spike which may increase the production of skin oils and result in clogged pores.

3. Artificial Additives: Not only can these be potential allergens for some individuals, but artificial flavours and colours can also be a source of hidden toxins that might aggravate the skin.

Tips on Choosing a Healthier Protein Powder:

Lately, there’s been a lot more healthy protein powders added to stores shelves. Some of our favourite brands we recommend to acne clients in The Clear Skin Solution are:

• Genuine Health Vegan Fermented Proteins (I used this one for the No Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars)
• Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein
• Iron Vegan Sprouted Protein
• Sunwarrior Classic Plus Protein

Want to source you own? Here are some parameters to keep in mind while on the hunt for a healthy protein powder:

1. Opt for Plant-Based: There are several plant-based protein sources like pea, hemp, rice, and chia which are less likely to trigger acne.
2. Check the Sweeteners: Look for powders that use natural sweeteners like stevia, monk fruit, or are naturally sweetened by ingredients like cacao.
3. Read Labels for Additives: The fewer ingredients, the better. Avoid those with a long list of hard-to-pronounce additives.
4. Opt for Organic: This ensures the ingredients haven’t been treated with pesticides or other chemicals.

The Glowing Benefits of Coconut Flour

Coconut flour isn’t just some trendy foodie trend; it’s like the superhero of ingredients! For starters, it’s gluten-free (yay for acne sufferers!). It’s chock-full of fibre which is like a spa day for your gut – and a happy gut = happy skin.

It also has these awesome fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that keep your energy cruising smoothly without any sugar drama. And the star feature? Lauric acid! Think of it as your skin’s trusty sidekick, fighting off the bad guys like acne-causing bacteria. So, when you’re whipping up something with coconut flour, you’re basically giving a nod to both deliciousness and a glow-up from the inside.

Here are a few more recipes on the KSW featuring coconut flour:

• Paleo Pumpkin Pie
• Coconut Lemon Squares
• Salted Caramel Turtle Bars

Skin-Loving Snacks

Need some more inspiration for acne-friendly snacks? I gotchu. 😉

1. Fresh Fruit: Apples, bananas, berries, oranges, pineapple or any seasonal fruits.
2. Veggie Sticks with Hummus: Carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers, and broccoli paired with your favourite hummus.
3. Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. (Opt for the unsalted variety and ideally raw.)
4. Nut & Seed Butter: Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Dollop on fruit, stuff into pitted Medjool dates or spread on celery sticks.
5. Trail Mix: Make your own with a mixture of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits like unsweetened cranberries.
6. Crunchy Roasted Chickpeas: Crunchy and packed with protein, season with your favourite spices.
7. Chia Seed Pudding: Made with almond, coconut, or any other dairy-free milk.
8. Coconut Yogurt: A dairy-free alternative to regular yogurt. Mix some chia seed jam for extra flavour.
9. Dried Seaweed Snacks: These are light, crispy, and full of essential minerals.
10. Olives: A great source of healthy fats.
11. Frozen Grapes: They taste like sweet, mini popsicles!
12. Smoothies: Blend fruits, spinach or kale, chia seeds, and dairy-free milk for a nutritious drink.
13. Dark Chocolate: Look for a high cocoa content (70% or more) and ensure it doesn’t contain any dairy ingredients.
14. Kale Chips: Seasoned and baked until crispy.
15. Mashed Avocado on Sweet Potato “Toast”: Slice sweet potatoes 1/2″ thick and roast in the oven until fork tender (not too soft or they’ll break!) and top with mashed avocado.

Remember, when buying packaged snacks, always check the labels to ensure they’re free from gluten and dairy, and to avoid any hidden additives or ingredients. Enjoy snacking!

No Bake Cookie Dough Protein Bars

Quick and delicious cookie dough protein bars that doesn't require any baking. The perfect grab'n'go snack when you need some quick fuel.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cooling: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup nut or seed butter of choice
• ½ cup non-dairy milk
• ¼ cup raw honey
• ½ cup protein powder (see notes)
• ½ cup coconut flour
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

• Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper leaving enough hanging out the sides to cover the top (you’ll use this to help flatten). Set aside.
• Add the nut/seed butter, non-dairy milk and raw honey to a medium sized bowl. Mix until well combined.
• Mix in protein powder, coconut flour and sea salt.
• Fold in chocolate chips. The batter will be a slightly sticky, slightly crumbly texture.
• Mix into a ball as best as you can and place onto the lined baking pan.
• Gently press the batter into the shape of the pan.
• Fold the extra parchment paper over top and gently press to help smooth the surface.
• Place in the fridge or freezer to firm up for about 30 minutes.
• Remove from the fridge, gently pull up on the parchment paper “handles” and place onto a cutting board.
• Cut your bars into the desired size.
• Keep in a well sealed container in the fridge. Keeps up to 5 days.

Notes

• This was tested with Genuine Health’s Vanilla Fermented Vegan Protein. If you use a different powder, you may need to adjust the non-dairy milk either way. 
• Mix it up and swap apple juice sweetened cranberries in place of the chocolate chips.
• I’ve used Hu, Lily’s Chips & Pascha chocolate chips in this recipe. Look for unsweetened or sweetened with coconut sugar or stevia.