Getting your daily dose of protein may seem tricky during this time of the year, especially with cookies and other treats in abundance. Luckily, TV personality and former Bachelorette Ali Manno-Fedotowsky is offering some simple tips for adding a protein kick to treats thanks to her new partnership with the protein powder company Orgain. Saying protein powder is more than a smoothie add-in is an understatement as she shares ideas for using it to create healthy protein desserts, including her recipe for peanut butter bites. Enjoying them during the holidays (and year-round) will satisfy your sweet tooth and could help you feel your best. Keep reading for our exclusive interview with Ali and tips for whipping up nutritious treats.
How Ali manages indulgent eating during the holidays
Like many of us, Ali considers the holidays to be a time when it’s especially fine to savor rich foods and drinks without guilt. “I know that I eat a little more, I indulge in more sweets,” she says. “I maybe drink a little bit more cocktails than I normally would, and I think that’s okay.”
On the other hand, she recognizes that balance is important too. So rather than forfeiting her favorite treats, it’s worth making them healthier. “But then, I also think there’s other ways of just, especially if you are making the desserts, making healthier swaps, right?” she adds. This provided an opportunity to partner with Orgain to give cookies, pancakes and other goodies a protein boost.
Her go-to ingredient for adding a protein kick to sweet treats
Protein is a key nutrient with benefits ranging from weight loss to increased muscle mass, and protein powder offers a convenient way to boost your intake as one 39-gram scoop can contain 25 grams of protein. Ali prefers using protein powder as a dry ingredient in batters, cookie dough and other sweet mixtures. “You can switch out flour in a lot of recipes or at least some of the flour for the Orgain protein powder,” she says. “Pancakes, waffles, yogurt, [there are] just so, so many things you can mix it into.”
She also notes that you can stir it into drinks like hot chocolate for a feel-good version of the classic sip. While it’s easy to sneak protein powder into these dishes, Ali says her son is fully on board with protein powder being included in various foods. “He loves the taste of it…So, he’s like, ‘Put it in the pancakes,’” she says.
Ali’s easy protein-packed protein bites recipe
Along with the ideas above, Ali shares her Peanut Butter Protein Bites recipe—which uses Orgain’s Vanilla Almond Butter Powder for a sweet and nutty flavor. Make them as a fun, no-bake holiday treat or as a healthy everyday snack you can enjoy on-the-go! (Bonus: Head to Orgain’s Instagram page as they’re doing a giveaway of one year’s supply of their protein powder and a $250 digital gift card to Caraway until December 31.)
Peanut Butter Protein Bites
Ingredients:
- ½ cup peanut butter, such as JUSTIN’S® Classic Peanut Butter Spread
- 2 Tbs. coconut oil
- 2 Tbs. honey (use coconut palm syrup if vegan)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ½ cup vanilla almond butter protein powder
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 Tbs. chia seeds
- ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- Optional: 2 Tbs. cashew milk, plus more if needed
- 2 Tbs. chocolate chips
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- Fancy sea salt and/or holiday-themed sprinkles, for topping
Directions:
- Mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil, honey and vanilla in a saucepan over low heat so they get nice and smooth.
- Stir in protein powder, then fold in yummy add-ins: oats, chia seeds and coconut. Add cashew milk if mixture is too dry, using enough to form into a dough. Use a medium cookie scoop or your hands to grab dough and roll into 12 balls.
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a saucepan over low heat and melt it. (Note: You can also do this in a microwave safe dish!) Drizzle over the balls and top with sea salt or sprinkles.
- Put balls in refrigerator to set about 1 hour. Serve and enjoy!
