Sharing a super delicious and super easy homemade peanut butter protein bar recipe. It’s gluten-free and dairy-free, too!

Hi friends! How are you? I hope that you’re having a wonderful week. Leading up to our trip, I was doing a ton of meal prepping. With P home and doing the homeschool thing, she’s helped me a lot, and it’s so amazing for the kids to be stocked with staples and healthy snacks, too.

Even when I don’t meal prep a lot, there’s something that I emphasize: protein. I think protein is the hardest macro to hit if it’s not prepped and ready to go. When I open the fridge and see a pack of raw chicken or anything else, I’ll choose anything else lol. If the chicken is cooked, I’ll eat it!

Getting enough protein is essential for overall health, muscle recovery, and staying full and satisfied throughout the day. Whether you’re trying to build muscle, maintain a healthy weight, or to ensure you’re meeting your daily nutritional needs, protein plays a significant role.

How much protein do you actually need each day?

While the recommended daily intake varies depending on factors like age, activity level, and fitness goals, a general guideline is around 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for the average person. Athletes or those with active lifestyles may require even more. I found that there’s a sweet spot for protein, and for myself, I try to hit at least 100g per day.

One of the easiest ways to increase your protein intake is by incorporating protein-rich snacks into your day. Somethine we LOVE: these homemade protein butter bars. They’re packed with wholesome ingredients, easy to make, and absolutely delicious – I think you’ll love them as much as we do!

Peanut Butter Protein Bar Recipe

These peanut butter protein bars are the perfect balance of chewy, nutty, and naturally sweetened goodness. They’re packed with protein, thanks to vanilla protein powder, and they’re a convenient snack on the go. Unlike many store-bought protein bars, this recipe is made with clean, simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Plus, they’re gluten-free, naturally sweetened, and can easily be made dairy-free by choosing the right chocolate.

Each serving contains approximately 10-12 grams of protein, making it an excellent way to fuel your body and keep your energy levels stable throughout the day.

Does Peanut Butter Have Protein?

Peanut butter has a small amount of protein, along with healthy fats that help keep you full and satisfied. On average, one tablespoon of peanut butter contains about 4 grams of protein. While it’s not as protein-dense as foods like chicken or fish, peanut butter can be paired with other protein-rich ingredients like vanilla protein powder or greek yogurt. Even though it has a little protein, I consider it to be more of a fat in my daily nutrient balance.

How To Make Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter/cashew butter for variation)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

1/2 cup almond flour or oat flour

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate (melted for toppin

How to Smoke Salmon Recipe [+Video]

Smoked salmon is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or part of a main course. Learn how to smoke salmon at home with our easy-to-follow recipe and video tutorial below.

We start this recipe with a dry brine that loads the salmon fillets with flavor and prepares them to soak in all the smoky flavor. This is a hot-smoked salmon recipe made on a wood pellet smoker.

We have covered all our bases when it comes to salmon here on the blog. We have air fryer salmon, grilled salmon, baked salmon, salmon in a salad, salmon bowls and stuffed salmon. We have been working on a smoked salmon recipe for years, and we have finally nailed it!

Ingredients for Smoked Salmon

Aside from the salmon filets, you’ll need just a few ingredients for the dry brine rub and then a few ingredients for the seasoning mix you rub all over it before smoking it. Here is what you will need:

Dry Brine

• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and flavor
• Black Pepper: adds flavor and tiny bit of heat

Smoked Salmon

• Salmon Filets: You can get smaller individual filets or get one big filet and then slice it into servings afterward
• Dijon Mustard: adds flavor
• Butter: adds rich flavor and helps keep the salmon moist
• Brown Sugar: adds a little sweetness and helps caramelize the outside of the salmon
• Dill: I almost always prefer fresh herbs for recipes, but for this one, I prefer dried dill.
• Smoked Paprika: adds more smoky flavor
• Salt and Black Pepper: adds flavor
• Maple Syrup: used to baste the fillets as they smoke

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

What is the Best Salmon for Smoking?

I always look for farm-raised salmon when it comes to smoking. They tend to have a higher fat content which helps them stay tender and flaky through the smoking process. King salmon is my go-to. Coho or Atlantic salmon is my backup. You want to avoid really lean salmon like sockeye salmon.

Why Brine Salmon

This brining process will eliminate some of the moisture from the inside of the fish while simultaneously infusing it with salt, which will help preserve the salmon and its moisture and help create a pellicle (see section below).

What is a Pellicle?

Cream of Wheat Raspberry Muffins [+Video]

These Cream of Wheat Raspberry Muffins are soft, fluffy, and bursting with juicy raspberries. With the hearty texture of Cream of Wheat blended into the batter, each bite offers a perfect balance of warmth and sweetness.

The texture of a cream of wheat muffin is so satisfying. They are still so soft and delicious, but that little touch of texture will create the most wonderful crumb in a muffin that you’ve ever had.

Perfect for breakfast or a snack, these muffins are light yet satisfying, and the fresh raspberry touch adds a burst of flavor in every bite. They’re easy to make, irresistibly delicious, and a must-try for any muffin lover!

Ingredients for Cream of Wheat Raspberry Muffins

I’m going to let you know right up front what you will need to make this muffins recipe! For all the details and measurements needed, keep scrolling down to the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Dry Ingredients: All-Purpose Flour, Cream of Wheat Cereal, Baking Powder, Baking Soda and Salt
• Wet Ingredients: Sugar, Milk, Eggs, Vegetable Oil, Vanilla and Almond Extract
• Fresh Raspberries
• Turbinado Sugar

Besides the Cream of Wheat and possibly the almond extract, you likely have everything on hand already! Let’s make some muffins!

How to Make Cream of Wheat Muffins with Raspberries

Sometimes I like to slip into the kitchen a little early and make this easy raspberry muffin recipe for my family for breakfast. Is there anything better than waking up to the smell of something baking for breakfast?! I think not! The good news is, you don’t have to wake up too early! They are ready in under 30 minutes!

1. Prep: Grease two standard sized muffin pans (or use paper liners) and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients.
3. Wet Ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together all the wet ingredients.
4. Combine: Carefully stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Fold: Add the fresh raspberries and gently fold them into the batter.
6. Sprinkle: Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin tin filling the muffin cups about 2/3 full. Sprinkle the tops with turbinado sugar.
7. Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and the tops spring back when you gently press them.

For the full recipe, head down to the recipe card below where you can also save or print the recipe.

Video on How to Make Raspberry Cream of Wheat M

5 Minute Easter Snack Mix [+Video]

Snack mixes are the easiest way to feed a crowd for any gathering. My kids love this Easter snack mix because of the little bunny snickerdoodle cookies in it and the candy. I love this snack mix because it comes together in 5 minutes and makes everyone happy!

This is a sweet snack mix with loads of spring colors. It is quick and tasty and disappears in our house in no time. Try these salty snacks to balance of the sweetness in this snack mix recipe: rosemary parmesan popcorn, best cheese ball, creamy artichoke dip, or the ranch slow cooker chex mix.

One of my absolute favorite holidays is Easter. I love the decorations, the food, the meaning behind everything, all of it!! As a kid I couldn’t wait to wake up and find Easter eggs hidden all over our house and oh how lucky we were if we got a giant chocolate bunny or those big Cadbury Eggs! 

Now I’ll be honest, I feel sick trying to eat those BIG Cadbury eggs, but man, those mini Cadbury eggs that are pure chocolate with a candy shell are irresistible! The best news is, no baking or cooking needed to make this treat!

What Goes into an Easter Snack Mix?

The beauty of a snack mix is that you can add anything that you want! Around the holidays, it is fun to find ingredients that really bring out the color of whatever holiday it is. This is Easter Snack Mix recipe is all about the beautiful bright pastel colors:

• Berry Cherrios
• Easter Pretzels (you could also make your own with the colors you want)
• Speckled Malt Eggs (I know a few people who don’t like malt…they are a wrong…but nonetheless, I saw they have speckled peanut butter m&m’s now which are delicious and will get you the same color)
• Annie’s Gluten Free Snickerdoodle Bunny Cookies
• Pastel Candy Corn
• Easter Caramel M&Ms
• Mini Marshmallows (I did just white because I already had some at home, but doing the multi-colored pack would be so fun)

How to Make this Snack Mix Recipe

There’s not much to make this recipe. You open all the bags of ingredients and pour them all in the large bowl. Stir everything together to combine, and then dig in! I like to serve it with some festive cups so people can snack from their own serving. It also makes a great gift for neighbors and friends or to put in Easter baskets.

Storing Snack Mix

This snack mix recipe can be stored for 4-6 weeks if it is kept in an air tight container.  The mini marshmallows and pretzels will get stale first, so we recommend keeping them separa

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

Indulge in a guilt-free treat with these easy-to-make peanut butter chocolate chip breakfast cookies. Made with whole grain oats and creamy peanut butter, these cookies are both nutritious and delicious. Try out the recipe today!

We have an apple cinnamon breakfast cookie and a spiced white chocolate craisin breakfast cookie so I thought it was high time to get a peanut butter chocolate breakfast cookie out there!

We use ripe bananas, molasses and pure maple syrup for natural sweeteners and oats for heartiness that will keep you satisfied and fueled for your morning. Our family can’t get enough of these!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies

Just 7 household ingredients is all you need to make this breakfast cookie recipe! Here is everything you’ll need:

• Peanut Butter: we prefer creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy
• Overripe Bananas: adds natural sweetness, you want bananas with lots of brown spots on them
• Maple Syrup: adds more natural sweetness
• Molasses: adds sweetness and rich flavor, substitute honey if desired
• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: provides the best structure and texture for the cookies
• Milk Chocolate Chips: We like the flavor of milk chocolate in these cookies, but feel free to use whatever chocolate chips like love best.
• Salt: enhances all the flavors

Keep scrolling down to the end of the post for all the measurements and details for this recipe.

How to Make Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies

One of the most beautiful things about this peanut butter oatmeal cookie recipe is that it’s all made in one bowl! Grab a wooden spoon, a large mixing bowl and our measuring spoons/cups and let’s make these easy oatmeal breakfast cookies!

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.
2. Mix: Add the peanut butter to a large bowl along with the bananas, maple syrup, molasses and salt and mix mashing the bananas as you stir.
3. Fold: Add the oats and chocolate chips and fold everything together until well incorporated.
4. Scoop: Using a cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough into balls on the prepared baking sheet. Press the tops gently to flatten them out as these will not spread at all.
5. Bake: Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes and serve warm.

The recipe card below contains these instructions and the recipe in full detail. You can also save or print the recipe there.

Alternatives and Variations

If you aren’t a peanut butter fan or want a different nutty f