My husband’s preferred snack is a homemade protein bar, so I’m constantly on the lookout for a good one. I found this on Pinterest and it is so versatile. You can add any kind of dried fruit you want, even chocolate chips or nuts. The chocolate topping is totally optional, and my husband actually prefers it without.

• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2/3 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1/3 cup dried fruit of your choice
• 1/3 cup dessicated or shredded coconut, optional
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips + 1 teaspoon coconut oil, optional

In a sauce pan, combine the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil. Heat until thoroughly mixed and smooth, then remove from heat and add in the vanilla. In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter mixture and the protein powder until smooth. Then add the oats, chia seeds, dried fruit and coconut if using. Once the mixture is fully combined, press into a lined 8×4 loaf pan and refrigerate for at least an hour. Cut into bars and store tightly sealed in the fridge.

This recipe is another gem we found on the Centr app. The first time I read the ingredients I was very interested/perplexed to see how maple syrup, peanut butter and coconut milk would taste like caramel but it really does. This snack is incredibly addicting; I suggest making multiple batches at a time. (But make this exact recipe multiple times, for some reason when I’ve tried to double it it hasn’t turned out as well.)

• 3 ounces (1/3 cup) popping corn
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons coconut milk, canned

Preheat the oven to 250° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pop your corn kernels, either in a stock pot on the stove or in something like this super cool microwave container (I bought this after burning a couple of batches on the stove and it is so awesome). Put your popped corn in a large bowl and set aside. Heat peanut butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat until just beginning to boil. Stir through coconut milk and continue to simmer for 5 minutes until golden and thickened. Pour caramel over popcorn and toss well to coat. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing the batch to cook it evenly after 15 minutes. Serve once cooled.

This stuff does not last long in my house, maybe a couple of days so store in an airtight container.

I saw this recipe of Trisha Yearwood’s show on Food Network.  They are great snack to grab before a workout, or for a breakfast on the go. I add chocolate protein powder to up the protein. Recipe and photo courtesy of Food Network.

• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 scoop protein powder
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 2 tablespoons flax seed

In a food processor, pulse the oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips, cranberries, protein powder and flax seeds until fully combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Form balls from the mixture (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each) and place them on the baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

This recipe came from the blog “in the kitchen with Kath”.These are a dead ringer for the red boxed cheese crackers. If you want them to be crunchier make them even thinner, otherwise they will be slightly puffier, but still really tasty.

• 6 oz grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces 3⁄4 cup flour, plus more for dusting
• 1⁄2  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2  teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 350°. Put everything except the milk in a food processor. Pulse the processor, 5 seconds at a time, for about 5 or 6 times, until the dough is in coarse crumbs. Add the milk and process until the dough gathers into a ball. Roll the dough out on a floured board with a rolling pin that has been floured until it is about 1⁄8” thick. Cut the dough into 1 inch squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. You can put a bit of flour on the blade of the knife to keep it from sticking. Use the flat end of a wooden skewer to poke a hole in the center of each cracker. Place the crackers on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are starting to brown. Put the baking sheet on a rack and let the crackers cook completely. Store in an airtight container to eat within a day or two.