Chocolate Coconut Protein Donuts

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My protein donuts have always been my most popular recipes. I mean, who doesn't LOVE a good donut, especially when they are a healthier alternative to the traditional fried and sugar-filled treat!?

I've done Pumpkin and Apple Cider, but I hadn't to created a CHOCOLATE protein donut. GASP!! This coming from the girl who has a major soft spot for chocolate. I knew it needed to be changed. 

I also took to Instagram and asked a few of my devoted pronut enthusiasts (you know who you girls are!!) what flavors they would like to see for a new donut creation. Chocolate coconut was suggested and I couldn't agree more with that flavor combo.  

These donuts seriously taste waaaay too naughty to be nice. Nothing is overly complicated about these protein donuts, but the combination of seemingly simple ingredients make these donuts pack a punch of deliciousness. The chocolate donut is a great base, but what really shines are the toppings. 

A simple 2-ingredient glaze sets things off, followed by a small drizzle of chocolate and a sprinkle of toasted coconut. Sure donuts are thought of as a breakfast treat, but these can stand on their own as a seriously awesome dessert.

I highly recommend having one with a hot cup of coffee...or serving one of these up with a scoop of vanilla Halo Top ice cream. 

Chocolate Coconut Protein Donuts

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Bake Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 6 donuts

Ingredients:

Donuts

• 1/4 cup  chocolate whey protein powder (I use Whey Protein Isolate from True Nutrition)
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain skyr (Icelandic-style yogurt)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Cream Cheese Glaze

• 1 tbsp Neufchatel cheese (or lowfat cream cheese)
• 12 tsp vanilla cashew milk (or nondairy milk of your choice)

Additional Toppings

• 1 tbsp chocolate chips
• 1-2 tbsp shredded coconut, unsweetened

Directions: 

1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease donut pan with coocnut oil or butter (just so the donut don't stick to pan) and set aside. 
2. Mix all dry ingredients (protein powder, coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt) together in a large mixing bowl. In a smaller bowl, combine wet ingredients (butter, applesauce, yogurt, egg and vanilla) and whisk together. Add wet ingredients to the dry and whisk together until well incorporated. 
3. Transfer batter to a large Ziploc bag - we will use this as a piping bag. Snip a very small hole in one of the bottom corners of the bag and evenly pipe batter into donut pan. I like to tab the pan on my counter top to level out the batter and ensure there are no air bubbles. 
4. Transfer donuts to oven to bake for 10 minutes or until a toothpick in inserted into the donut and comes out clean.
5. While donuts are baking, toast shredded coconut. In a small fry pan over medium heat, continuous stir shredded coconut. It will begin to become golden in just a minute or two. Keep an eye on this because it can go from golden and toasted to black and burnt in seconds! Pull from heat and transfer to a small bowl to cool.
6. After the donuts have finished baking, remove pan from oven and remove donuts from pan for cooling. 
7. While donuts are cooling, prepare the glaze. Combine cream cheese and milk in a small flat bowl which is wide enough to dip an entire donut in. Carefully pick up each of the donuts and dunk the tops into the glaze for a light coating.
8. Place glazed donuts on a parchment lined cutting board. Melt chocolate chips either over a double boiler or in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl. Once the chocolate has melted, use a spoon to drizzle over all the donuts, as seen in the photos above. Next sprinkle toasted coconut over donuts. 
9. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container, placed in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Information (1 donut)

115 calories - 9 g Protein, 8 g Carbs (3 g Fiber), 5.5 g Fat

Coconut Cherry Oat Bars

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If you look through my kitchen, you would be hard pressed to find many 'snacks' or processed foods. I'd always much rather prefer making things for myself, that way I know all of the ingredients and there aren't any hidden additives. Plus, making food for yourself is usually far more affordable. 

After a hard workout I'm usually starving and in need of an easy and FAST snack to hold me over until dinner. Carbs are a must to refuel but I don't want something full of sugar or junk like a traditional store-bought energy bar. 

Solution? THESE bars!

Whoa baby, are these delicious and so incredibly simple to make! You want to know another secret? Aside from the slight bit of sweetened coconut on top of the bars there is no added sugar. These are naturally sweetened with ripe mashed banana and dried cherries. I'm also using coconut butter, or manna, in these bars. If you haven't ever tried this...you are in for a treat. Not to be confused with coconut oil, coconut butter is made from the flesh of the coconut. 

The bars are a great post-workout treat, but also would be awesome for a quick breakfast or easy dessert. Really, you can make an argument to have these bars morning, noon or night!

While it isn't absolutely necessary, I used a True Nutrition Custom Oatmeal Blend to make these bars. It is pretty awesome to be able to make your own oatmeal blend! The combinations are almost endless as far as mix-ins and flavoring options. For these bars, I used a blend of Old Fashioned Oats, Dried Tart Cherries and Chopped Walnuts. 

Want to give a Custom Oatmeal blend a try? If you use the code 'MYENG' at checkout, you will receive 5% off your order! 

What is your favorite post-workout snack? Regardless of your oats, I hope you give these bars a try! 

Coconut Cherry Oat Bars

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Bake Time: 25 minutes

Servings: 8 bars

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups oats blend (True Nutrition Custom Oat Blend of Old Fashioned Oats, Dried Tart Cherries, Chopped Walnuts)*
• 1 cup mashed ripened banana
• 2 tbsp Coconut Butter (also called Coconut Manna)
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries, coarsely chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (unsweetened also works!)

Baking Accessories:

• Baking Dish, 8 inch square
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper 

*If you choose not to use a blend, simply combine 1/4 cup chopped walnuts with 1-1/2 cup oats and increase dried cherries to 1/4 cup

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare baking dish by lining with parchment paper. Fold the paper so that the bottom and edges are covered in the parchment - this will make for easier removable of the bars from the dish.
2. Spread the 2 cups of oats out on a baking sheet, making an even layer. Toast in the oven for 5-8 minutes, ensuring the oats don't get too brown.
3. While the oats are toasting, combine mashed banana, melted coconut butter, dried cherries and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Once oats have toasted, add oats to the mixing bowl and stir until all ingredients are well combined. 
4. Transfer oat mix to prepared baking dish and spread into corners. Sprinkle an even layer of the shredded coconut on top and bake for 25 minutes at 350°F.
5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before slicing. Slice into 8 equal bars. 

Nutritional Information (1 bar):

193 calories - 4.5 g Protein, 29 g Carbohydrates, 6.5 g Fat