I totally stole this recipe idea from Julien Solomita, but tried it out and I will post more recipe combos as I try them out.
I tried the recipe out and perfected the balance...
One Batch
1 banana
4 scoops protein (I chose Vanilla)
2 cups of Flaked/Rolled oats (Raw Long-Cook version, not quick-oats)
1/2 cup Almond Butter (or other Nut butter of your choosing)
*Bonus: Add 1/2 cup of dried sour cherries for some tartness*
-Mix in an electric Mixer on Low "Dough" setting for 5 mins until combined. (Or with your hands for 15 minutes).
-Roll into 1-1.5 inch diameter balls.
-Place on Parchment Paper in Fridge for 20 mins until firm.
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They are great if you are feeling a bit peckish, or you can throw 3-4 in a baggie in your gym bag and have them post-workout for fast recovery. And the Banana gives them a sweetness, so they help crush sweets cravings. Oh and don't keep them around, eat them within a day or so. Make a new batch often, as they are super fast and cheap!
So, don't keep them around for a week! They will have a tendency to get fridge burn, and won't taste right after that, unless you have a tupperware container for them and maybe some baking soda for ambient fridge odors.
4 scoops of most Whey powder is 180/scoop X 4=720 (for the whole batch), plus calories from nut butter and banana. One batch should be eaten within 2-3 days if you are a single person. If you can't eat them all in that time frame you probably don't use protein powder as much as most people who workout do, and maybe you should consider it.
On the question of fresh or ripened Bananas... ripened Banana does not gain nutrients, it loses some. As Bananas get riper they get sweeter (90%+ of sugar) because the sugars develop in the ripening process and they have higher concentrations of Anti-oxidants. Greener Bananas are generally better for your health, but won't work as nicely for this recipe.
These bars/balls are Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, & Vegan. They don't need to be refrigerated for freshness, only for consistency purposes.
Try mixing some cinnamon, raisins, and dried apple for a bit of a different flavour.
