Golden Milk Protein Bites, Running Outside Again

Today I ran outside for the first time in 5 days. It was a balmy 4 degrees farenheight and 9 below windchill . Yep! Balmy?

Since Sunday morning, I have been warming up my car, driving across town to the gym for a run on the treadmill. Sure I am fortunate to have this option, and to be perfectly honest with you, I do enjoy speed work on the treadmill, but I do have my limits?. When it comes to long runs....take me outdoors please!

Since it was almost 11 am by the time I got back from my run and workout, I was famished! Guess what I grabbed first thing…(while sipping on a hot cup of my favorite coffee)? I love making healthy snacks, espeically protein bites or bars! These little morsels are my new favorite way to enjoy Golden Milk!

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to recreate the comforting flavors of golden milk in a portable snack. My nightly ritual is either a cup of this delicious peppermint ginger tea or a golden milk latte.

Since I love all the spices in the various golden milks I have tried, why not try them in a convenient snack. These have only 5-ingredients, are packed with warming, anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger and best of all, naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Since I used my favorite plant based protein powder, they are also vegan, gluten & grain free plus they come together in about 20 minutes.

Are you ready to re-create a golden milk snack that goes perfectly with a cup of my favorite tea?. GREAT, me too!

I used almond butter but I personally believe any nut-butter will work. Or if you are avoiding nuts, sunflower or tahini would be a delicious option.

Now you can certainly make your own golden milk if you would like. I have delicious recipe from my friend Ellie, however, these pictured are all delicious. “Who doesn’t love more convenience in their life, especially healthy ones?”.  One of my other faves not pictured above is from Laird?.

So next we add a heaping spoonful of Golden Milk for the warming golden flavor you’re going to fall in love with. My first thought as I was sampling, “I need to make a Golden Milk Smoothie next!”  STAY TUNED!

Finally I added my plant based protein powder, a touch of Maple syrup for natural sweetness, and coconut flour which creates a moldable dough. They have just the right amount sweetness & coconut flavor.

If you want to make these even more crazy luscious, add a little melted coconut butter at the end, or dark chocolate?. OMG….get ready to beam with delight!

I hope you LOVE these luscious golden bites! They’re:

Naturally sweet
So satisfying
Quick & Easy to make
Incredibly Tender
Portable
Perfectly spiced
& Sort of amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-INGREDIENT GOLDEN MILK PROTEN BITES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup unsalted NUT butter (roasted or raw ~ can sub other neutral seed or nut butters, such as tahini or macadamia butter)
• 2-3 Tbsp maple syrup (plus more to taste…I used about 2)
• 2 Tbsp vanilla protein powder
• 1 Tbsp Golden Milk, so many good ones!
• 1 Pinch sea salt 
• 1/3 cup coconut flour
• 2 Tbsp coconut butter (OPTIONAL)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add nut butter to a medium mixing bowl along with maple syrup, protein powder, golden milk mix, and salt (optional). Stir to combine.
2. Add coconut flour a little at a time until a firm cookie dough consistency is reached—not tacky, not crumbly, and moldable into balls.
3. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more golden milk mix for spice/warmth, or maple syrup for sweetness.
4. At this point you can add softened/melted coconut butter and stir loosely into the dough for a swirl effect (optional), but highly recommended. And don’t forget you can also roll in chocolate.
5. Scoop out 1 Tbsp amounts and gently roll into balls (as the recipe is written, there should be about 12). Repeat until all dough is formed into balls.
6. Enjoy as is, roll in shredded coconut, or refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to chill. If desired, after chilling, top with warmed (melted) coconut butter or dark chocolate.
7. Leftovers will keep stored in the refrigerator up to 1 week (sometimes longer), or in the freezer 1 month.

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Have you made your own Golden Milk?

What is your favorite treat after a run?

Did you set any record cold record temps in your area this past week?

These are perfect after a run or to be honest, anytime!