Double Chocolate Protein Banana Bread - Vegetarian + GF

Since being introduced to Naked Nutrition's clean protein powders with minimal, straight-forward ingredients, I've been having so much fun playing around and coming up with new plant-based protein-packed recipes. Their Chocolate Less Naked Pea Protein contains just pea protein, raw cacao, and coconut sugar. That's it! No weird junk and nothing to hide. So naturally, I've been having a blast trying it out in all of the chocolatey goodness that I can think of, and this week is no different! In fact, I was feeling extra chocolatey this week which led me to this double chocolate protein banana bread recipe.

It's not only packed with all of the chocolate. It also brings the protein and other nutrients while being vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free. It can also easily be made vegan by swapping out the eggs with flax eggs or nut free by swapping out the almond milk. It's basically the perfect way to Saturday, and will most likely be gone by the end of the weekend. No joke.

Here's What You'll Need:

-2 ripe (ideally spotty) bananas
-1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
-3/4 cup coconut flour
-2 eggs
-1 scoop Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Less Naked Pea Protein powder
-1 tsp baking powder
-2 tbsp chocolate sunflower seed butter (I used this one) or the nut butter of your choosing
-1 tbsp cacao powder (I used this one)
-1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk of your choosing)
-1/2 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips 

Instructions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2) Mash your bananas in a bowl with a hand mixer or wooden spoon.
3) Mixed in the coconut oil, eggs, sunflower seed butter, and almond milk.
4) Add in the dry ingredients (minus the chocolate chips), and mix until well combined.
5) Fold in the chocolate chips. I reserved a few to add onto the top at the end, but feel free to add them all in if desired.
6) Pour the mixture into a greased or parchment-lined loaf pan, and spread it out evenly.
7) Bake in to the oven for about 50 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean).
8) Let the bread cool a bit for about 15-20 minutes before removing and slicing it.
9) Serve, and enjoy!

Hello chocolate heaven! Am I right? I know what I'm having as my dessert...and pre and post-workout snacks...and probably breakfast, lunch and dinner the next few days. But really, it's hard to keep your hands off (and mouth full) of this banana bread. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Protein Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Happy Friday, everyone! What better way to celebrate than with CHOCOLATE! Not just chocolate but healthy, protein-packed chocolate covered strawberries? Does it get much better than that?!

These babies have just a few, natural ingredients. I'm talking cacao, natural sweeteners, coconut oil, and the best vegan protein powder around! They make for the perfect guilt-free dessert or snack while still bringing the flavor, and they're super quick and easy to whip up. Grab a couple before or after the gym, as a post-dinner dessert, or even to top off your morning oats. They're great any time! 

Here's What You'll Need:

-8 oz fresh strawberries
-1/4 cup coconut oil, softened to room temperature or slightly melted
-1 1/3 tbsp (that's 1 tbsp + 1 tsp) Naked Nutrition Less Naked Chocolate Pea Protein Powder
-1 1/3 tbsp (that's 1 tbsp + 1 tsp) Cacao powder (I used this one)
-1 tsp pure maple syrup
-1/2 tsp vanilla
-Pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1) In a bowl, mix together the coconut oil, Naked Nutrition protein powder, cacao powder, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt until smooth.
2) Dip each strawberry into the chocolate mixture and place on a parchment lined plate. You may want to use a spoon or knife to spread the chocolate.
3) Put the plate of strawberries in the fridge for at least 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
4) Enjoy!

It's that simple, and you have yourself a delicious treat to last the weekend! Yes, they'll go that fast. Let me know what you think in the comment's below!

Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Protein Cookies (Vegan + GF)

Chocolate almond butter banana protein cookies - what a freakin mouthful, am I right? But each ingredient is so important and adds such an extra punch of flavor to this recipe that I couldn't leave one out. So chocolate almond butter banana protein cookies it is!

They're vegan. They're gluten free. They take only 8 (YES 8) minutes to bake. They're delicious. AND you can even eat the batter because did I mention they're vegan and delicious? Plus you get some great protein thanks to Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Less Naked Pea Protein Powder and almond butter. So let's not waste anymore time and get this thing started!

Here's What You'll Need:

-2 scoops Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Less Naked Pea Protein Powder
-1 tbsp cacao powder (I use this one)
-2 tbsp coconut flour
-1 banana
-1/2 tsp baking powder
-1/2 tsp vanilla
-2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
-2 tbsp unsweetened almond butter (I use this one)
-1 tbsp maple syrup
-2 tbsp sweet almond coconut butter (optional; I use this one)

Makes about 8 cookies

Instructions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2) Mash the banana in a bowl until relatively smooth.
3) Add in all of the other ingredients minus the almond coconut butter and mix thoroughly until it forms a dough-like consistency.
4) Form the dough into balls about an inch in diameter and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5) Flatten the balls slightly using your hand or the back of a spoon to form a cookie shape.
6) Bake in the oven for about 8 minutes, and then remove to cool.
7) (Optional) Warm up the almond coconut butter until it becomes semi-liquid and drizzle-able. Drizzle some on top of each cookie.
8) Allow the cookies to cool (and the almond coconut butter to harden).
9) Serve, and enjoy!

If you just can't wait, I do have to say that they're also great warm! Either way, they're a great pre or post-workout treat or just a great protein-packed snack or dessert. Also make sure to check out Naked Nutrition's other vegan protein products, and let me know what you think of the recipe in the comments below!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oats

In the land of flavor combos, peanut butter with banana and chocolate with peanut butter are both pretty high up on the list. I honestly don't know if I could choose if I had to. Which is exactly where this baked oats recipe comes in. Why compare them when I can throw them all together into one delicious flavor party in a pan?!

I used my favorite superfood powder, Ka'Chava, to bring the chocolate flavor while kicking up the nutritional content. So these oats don't just taste great, they're also packed with protein, fiber, greens (YES greens), omega 3's, and I could go on . You can use the code allroadshealthy10 for a $10 store credit over on their website.

I also brought in one of my favorite peanut butters, Nut Butter Nation's traditional recipe. It's just SO good and creamy. It's the perfect addition to the oats and of course to drizzle all over the top!

Here's What You'll Need:

-2 cups rolled oats
-2 scoops chocolate Ka'Chava
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/4 tsp sea salt
-2 bananas, sliced
-1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or the milk of your choosing)
-1 egg (or egg replacement)
-1 tsp vanilla
-1/4 cup pure maple syrup
-1/2 cup Nut Butter Nation traditional recipe peanut butter (plus more to drizzle on top)
-2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

Instructions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2) In a large bowl, mix together the oats, Ka'Chava powder, sea salt, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3) In another bowl, whisk together the almond milk, egg, vanilla, maple syrup, peanut butter, and coconut oil.
4) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix together thoroughly.
5) Grease or line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper.
6) Spread the slices of one banana on the bottom of the pan.
7) Pour the mixture into the baking dish over the banana slices.
8) Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, spread the remaining banana slices over the top of the oats, and return to the oven for an additional 30-35 minutes until fully cooked. 
9) Slice into 6 pieces, drizzle with extra peanut butter, serve, and enjoy!

You can easily make this recipe vegan by using an egg replacement. Also, on the opposite end of the spectrum, if you also prefer dairy to almond milk, feel free to switch it out! This recipe is definitely adaptable, and I'm sure it'll still taste just as delicious. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Chocolate Banana Superfood Pancakes (GF)

Is there anything better than a nice stack of pancakes to start the morning off? Yes, actually there is - chocolate banana superfood pancakes because we all know that there is no better way to start the day than with some chocolate (especially when it involves bananas and peanut butter).

Let me tell you guys a little about Ka'Chava. They make a whole body meal powder that is packed with 70 superfoods and nutrients. It's also vegan, gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and I could really go on and on. You should really go check out their website to learn all about this delicious powder that's perfect in smoothies, waffles, and in this case pancakes. You can also use the code allroadshealthy10 for a $10 store credit while you're there!

So back to the recipe. Chocolate is great, but superfood packed pancakes? That's an entire other level. Plus they're just plain delicious. Top them with caramelized bananas and PB like I did or whatever you're craving. There's really no bad way to eat a stack!

Here's What You'll Need:

-1 cup quinoa flour
-1 tsp baking powder
-1 scoop chocolate Ka'Chava 
-1 egg
-1/2 cup water
-1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
-1/2 banana

Serves 2-4 (makes about 12 small pancakes)

Instructions:

1) In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, Ka'Chava powder).
2) In a smaller bowl, mash the banana, and mix it with the egg.
3) Add the egg and banana mixture to the dry ingredients along with the water and almond milk. Mix until smooth.
4) Heat a pan over medium high heat. Coat with cooking oil of choice (coconut oil or ghee is recommended).
5) Ladle out 3 small circular pancakes into the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes (give or take) per side until the edges turn a lighter color and form small bubble like other pancakes. 
6) Flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 3 or so minutes. Continue until all of the batter is used.
7) Serve the pancakes, and top them with your favorite topping. 
8) Enjoy!

These babies are good on their own, but toppings are never a bad idea! Let me know what toppings you used on yours and what you think in the comments below!