Ahhhhh . . Chocolate. Pistachios. Honey. A hint of cinnamon. My Chocolate Protein “Baklava” Bites are a muscle-making take on this ancient honey and nut dessert hailing from Greece and Turkey (both countries lay claim to its origin).
You’ll notice there’s no thin layers of phyllo in this healthy sweet treat! No need to get distracted with difficulty of preparation (and gluten) this adds to the recipe. Instead, I’ve put together a 15 minute recipe that is packed full of great nutrition to fuel your active lifestyle and requires absolutely no cooking. Read on to get all the nutty details along with the full recipe!
Traditional Baklava has no chocolate. However, in my world, the flavor of chocolate makes everything better. I’ve incorporated a chocolate protein powder* to create a filling and flavorful pre or post workout snack that will remind you of a Eastern European dessert tray.
* Millennium Blend sent me the Metabolic Formula whey-based meal replacement shake powder free of charge for my editorial consideration.
This super simple, no-cook recipe mixes together in minutes – it’s just protein powder, nut butter, a Medjool date, cinnamon and coconut oil in the bottom layer and chopped pistachios and honey in the top layer. Absolutely NO COOKING, just compact in cordial candy molds and stick in freezer for 5 minutes to set up! If you don’t have candy molds, mini muffin tins will work just as well!
Each Chocolate Protein Baklava Bite has under 90 calories, with 4.8 grams fat, 7.5 grams carbohydrate and 5.1 gram protein.
If you don’t eat all of these baklava bites on the spot, they can be stored in the fridge or freezer for enjoyment later.
Have you ever had baklava? What is your favorite type of nut? What’s going on this weekend? Please share in the comments – XOXO, Jennifer
- 1/3 cup chocolate protein powder I used whey
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnnamon
- 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice peanut, almond, cashew, etc
- 1 large Medjool date, pitted and chopped
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped raw, shelled pistachios
- 2 teaspoons honey
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Add protein powder, cinnamon, nut butter, date and coconut oil to small food processor and pulse until all ingredients combined and crumbling. If food processor not available, finely mince date, and vigorously mix aforementioned ingredients by hand. Set aside.
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In small bowl, mix together chopped pistachios and honey.
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Coat inside of 6 cordial candy molds lightly with coconut oil. Add approximately 2 teaspoons of pistachio-honey mixture to bottom, pressing down to compact.
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Add approximately 1 ½ tablespoons of chocolate protein mixture in mold on top of pistachio mixture, pressing down to compact.
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Place in freezer for 5 minutes to set. Remove and carefully invert from molds.
Yum! These look delicious and pretty!