Got Lemons? Make Raspberry Lemonade Protein Bites

With temperatures topping out over 90 degrees yesterday and bluebonnets popping up everywhere, it’s safe to say spring has definitely sprung in Austin. And, just in time for SXSW , paddle boarding on Lady Bird Lake and running the trails over Spring Break. This time last year I was making my Watermelon Brisket Tacos in the SXSW Taco Takedown, that was definitely a #KeepAustinWeird day. This year I am nursing some battle wounds from Spartan Houston and the Crossfit Games 16.4 Open WOD.  However, nothing serious enough from keeping me out of the kitchen.

Raspberry Lemonade Protein Bites are perfect for a post-workout snack or quick breakfast.Today, I’m sharing a protein snack that is fitting for the warm-weather season – Raspberry Lemonade Protein Bites. The sweet-tart zing of this no-bake recipe will remind you of sipping on a refreshing glass of raspberry lemonade on the porch.

Raspberry Lemonade Protein Bites are perfect for a post-workout snack or quick breakfast.Perfect for a post-workout snack or grab-and-go breakfast, these protein bites have about 5g protein and 65 calories per bite and are gluten-free, nut-free and have no-added sugar.

calcium). This could vary slightly on the protein powder you are using.Make these ahead of time and keep in the fridge or freezer so you always have a healthy snack at hand – and, if you love the flavor combo of raspberries  and lemons and have a five minutes to make breakfast, you’ll love my Raspberry Lemonade Protein Mug Muffin recipe.

 

Here are some important words of wisdom I have for you- haha:

 

By the way, I’ve added maca powder to this protein bite recipe for an extra nutrition boost.  Maca, a root vegetable indigenous to Peru, has been beloved for thousands of years for its ability to improve stamina, endurance and hormonal balance. Maca root and maca powder includes vital nutrients including healthy fatty acids, dietary fiber, proteins, carbohydrates and minerals. If you want to omit, just replace with an equal amount of gluten-free baking mix.

When life hands you lemons, ask for something with more protein!It’s hard to believe that the vibrant fushia red color dusted on these protein bits is all natural and not some weird artificial dye mixed into sugar. Instead, the clever ingredient is simply raspberry powder I made by pulverizing freeze-dried raspberries in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin! This raspberry dust would also be fun and festive mixed into yogurt, sprinkled on your Easter desserts or even rimmed on a cocktail or healthy beverage.

Raspberry Lemonade Protein Bites are perfect for a post-workout snack or quick breakfast.

Raspberry Lemonade Protein Bites Recipe

  • 2/3 cup vanilla protein powder (2 scoops)
  • 1/3 cup almond meal
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons maca powder
  • 4 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed Meyer lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons zest from Meyer lemon
  • 1/3 cup freeze-dried raspberries
  1. Add protein powder, almond meal, maca powder and salt to bowl and stir until combined.  Mix in coconut oil, lemon juice and mix until everything incorporated. Mixture should be a bit crumbly but holds together when squeezed.  If too dry, add a few more drops of lemon juice. If too wet, add a dry ingredient like a gluten-free baking blend, more almond meal or more protein powder a half-tablespoon at a time.
  2. Using about 1 tablespoon of dough, form into 12 balls rolling between the palms of your hands.
  3. Place freeze-dried raspberries in small zip-top bag and use rolling pin or side of coffee mug to pulverize.  Add a lemon ball, one at a time, into the sealed bag and shake to coat with raspberry dust.
  4. May be kept covered in air-tight container in refrigerator for a week or freezer for several months. Makes 12.

What are you doing over Spring Break? What events are you training for? Are you a lemon lover?  I’d love to know, please share in the comments below – XOXO, Jennifer

‘Whey Cool’ Strawberry Sherbet Pie with Protein Powder Recipe

Pie has a bad reputation and it’s no wonder why. A small slice of apple pie with a modest ½ cup scoop of vanilla ice cream has 571 calories, 27 grams of fat and scant protein.  Of course, a piece of decadent pie on special occasions isn’t going to ruin results earned from working out, running or whatever you do; but, it just isn’t the right fuel to keep an active person feeling well and going strong.  If you have a sweet tooth (like me) and want a little slice of heaven more frequently than on July 4th and Thanksgiving, whip up my ‘Whey Cool’ Strawberry Sherbet Pie with Protein Powder tonight. Based on a super-easy summer recipe my mom used to make during my childhood in blazing hot Arizona, this no-bake pie is modified for maximum performance with no-sugar added and fat-free products along with a couple scoops of protein powder. Yeah, that’s right, I said protein powder.


‘Whey Cool’ Strawberry Sherbet Pie with Protein Powder Recipe

  • 1 quart no-sugar added sherbet
  • 2 scoops whey protein powder, vanilla flavor
  • 1 8-oz container no-fat, dairy-free whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 pre-made chocolate cookie pie crust (Keebler Ready-Crust Chocolate)
  • ½ cup fat-free chocolate syrup
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed, cored and sliced

Scoop entire container of sherbet into large mixing bowl; let sit for a few minutes to soften a bit. Sprinkle protein powder over sherbet a little at a time (to prevent clumping); mix in by hand or with beaters. After all protein powder is incorporated, fold in whipped topping with spatula until combined. Spoon entire mixture into prepared chocolate cookie crust; freeze for 3 hours or overnight until firm. To serve, cut into 8 slices with knife run through hot water. Top each slice with 2 ounces of strawberries and 1 tablespoon of chocolate syrup. Serves 8.

Nutrition information (per 1/8 of pie with toppings): calories 275, total fat 6g, saturated fat 1g, trans fat 2g, total carbs 48g, sugars 9g, protein 9g.

Note: If you want to clean this recipe up even more, skip the pie crust and just spoon the sherbet mixture into the pie pan.  This removes about 100 calories, 4g of total fat (2 of which are trans fat), 14g carbs and 6g sugars.