7 Ways to Make Your PI Bars Even Better

As an athlete or health enthusiast, you understand how tough it is to get enough clean protein in your diet or find a natural protein bar that actually tastes good. But we have the solution: Performance Inspired Nutrition Bars put an end to your quest for a better protein bar!

Packed with 20 grams of clean protein, 18 grams of fiber, and nutrients like BCAA, MCTs, glutamine, chromium, and probiotics, this gluten-free energy bar makes a perfect healthy snack or meal replacement. And as with all of the Performance Inspired products, these bars are 100% natural.

Plus, did you know that Mark Wahlberg and his team devoted a whole year to perfecting the taste of these bars? With flavors like Brownie Chocolate Blast, Cookies N’ Cream Extreme, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Thunder the PI bars are an #allnatural treat that your taste buds will love. But at PI we’re always looking for new ways to #eatclean. Which is why we’re sharing with you 7 ways to make your PI bars even better.

1. Healthy Protein Trail Mix

Prep a batch of this healthy protein trail mix and you’ll be set for your next adventure. Whether that is hiking the great outdoors, a tough cycling workout, or just your day-to-day adventures, this trail mix recipe will provide you with a go-to snack that can be stored for up to one month.

Ingredients:

• 1 PI Peanut Butter Chocolate Thunder Protein Bar
• 3/4 cup raw pecans*
• 3/4 cup raw cashews*
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cherries
• 1/2 cup unsweetened raisins
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg

*Try toasting your pecans and cashews in a 350 degree F oven for 10 minutes to enhance their flavor.

Directions:

1. Break the PI bar into small, bite-size pieces.
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Store in a ziploc bag or glass tupperware.

2. No Bake Protein Energy Bites

These easy no bake protein energy bites make the perfect #allnatural snack, breakfast, or even dessert. The PI bar packs a ton of clean protein into this recipe. Plus, the flax and chia seeds add an extra dose of fiber as well as healthy omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants. The following recipe will make about a dozen energy bites.

Ingredients:

• 1 PI Peanut Butter Chocolate Thunder Protein Bar
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ cup of natural peanut butter*
• ⅓ cup raw honey
• 2 Tbsp. flax seeds
• 2 Tbsp. chia seeds

*Can substitute with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.

Directions:

1. Break the PI bar into small, bite-size pieces.
2. Stir oats, peanut butter, honey, flax seeds, chia seeds, and protein bar pieces together in a bowl until all of the ingredients are evenly mixed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Scoop out the chilled mixture and roll it into balls. Keep the protein bites chilled until you’re ready to eat.

3. Toppings for Ice Cream

At Performance Inspired Nutrition, we’re dedicated to giving you the resources to train harder and #eatclean so you can see results. Of course, indulging in a cheat meal every now and then can be beneficial, if not necessary, to the overall success of your diet. This is because strict diets can often cause too much deprivation, which leads to cravings for the foods and drinks that you tell yourself you can’t have. This idea for making your PI bars even better combines the sweetness of your favorite ice cream topped with the protein and nutrients that are in all flavors of the PI bars.

Ingredients:

• 1 serving of your favorite ice cream flavor
• 1 PI protein bar (any flavor)

Directions:

1. Break your PI bar into small, bite-size pieces.
2. Scoop ice cream into bowl and top with pieces of your bar.

4. Mini Pancake Bites

These mini pancake bites from the SOL Fit Project are not only a delicious way to make your PI bars even better, they also provide a healthy breakfast that will keep you feeling full throughout the day.

Ingredients:

• 1 PI Brownie Chocolate Blast Protein Bar
• 1 cup oat flour
• 3 cups water
• 2 eggs
• Sprinkle of sea salt (optional)
• 1 tsp raw cocoa
• 1 tsp pumpkin spice
• Baking spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. Break your PI bar into small, bite-size pieces.
3. Combine all ingredients in a blender except your PI bar pieces.
4. Blend ingredients until the mixture is uniform.
5. Spray a mini muffin pan with baking spray.
6. Fill each cup ⅔ of the way full with pancake mix.
7. Top with pieces of PI bar.
8. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes.

5. Peanut Butter Brownie Protein Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 PI Brownie Chocolate Blast Bar
• 1 PI Peanut Butter Chocolate Thunder

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Microwave each PI bar for 10 seconds.
3. Break brownie bar into 3 large pieces and 3 small pieces.
4. Roll the 3 smaller brownie pieces into balls, then place in the bottom of a baking cup and push flat.
5. Break the peanut butter bar into 3 pieces, roll them into 3 flat circles, then place on top of brownie base.
6. Place the remaining 3 pieces of brownie bar on top of the peanut butter middle.
7. Bake at 375 degrees F for 3 minutes.
8. Serve and enjoy these treats while they are warm!

6. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait with Protein Granola

A fruit and yogurt parfait topped with granola can make the perfect breakfast or snack. However, many store-bought granolas can be highly processed and also have a high sugar content. Which is why this recipe shows you how to make a homemade granola that is healthy and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Greek Yogurt (or yogurt of your choice)
• ½ cup fresh or defrosted frozen strawberries
• ½ cup fresh blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries
• 1 PI Peanut Butter Chocolate Thunder Protein Bar
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup raw nuts (i.e. almonds, walnuts, cashews, etc.)
• ¼ cup raw seeds (i.e. sunflower or pumpkin seeds)
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. raw honey
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• ½ tsp. Vanilla or almond extract

Directions:

For the granola:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Break your PI bar into small, bite-size pieces.
3. Combine the pieces of PI bar with the rolled oats, nuts, seeds, honey, coconut oil, and vanilla or almond extract.
4. Spread mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes until very lightly toasted.

For the parfait:

1. Layer ⅓ cup of the yogurt into the bottom of your glass.
2. Add a layer of fruit.
3. Alternate layers of yogurt and granola until you are close to the top of your glass.
4. Top with granola.
5. Serve immediately.

7. PI Cookies N’ Cream Coconut Bites

Ingredients:

• ½ cup coconut butter
• 1 PI Cookies N’ Cream Extreme Bar

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Break your PI bar into small, bite-size pieces.
3. Melt the coconut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat until the butter is a thick, liquid consistency.
4. Combine the melted coconut butter with half of the PI bar pieces.
5. Using a tablespoon, spoon the mixture onto the parchment paper into the size bites you desire.
6. Once all of the mix is spooned onto the sheet, top each bite with the remaining PI bar pieces.
7. Place bites in refrigerator until they are firm.

What do you think of these 7 ways to make your PI bars even better? Do you have any favorite #allnatural protein bar recipes? Leave us a comment below!