Homemade Protein Bars

I have never made protein bars before but they were very easy and very good. These are much better for you than many of the brands you buy in the store. The only “fats” in these bars come from healthy fats from the nuts and peanut butter. There is only natural sugar such as the dried fruits and honey to add to the sweetness of the bar. My one complaint, though, was the protein powder. The recipe calls for 2 “scoops”, but I think my “scoop” was bigger than average. Because of this, my bars were a little crumbly and needed more liquid ingredients to hold them together. Next time I make them, I’m only using 1 “scoop”, or measuring out 1/4 cup. This recipe comes for the Tasty Kitchen blog. Enjoy!

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, oat flour, cinnamon, protein powder, dry milk, and seeds.

In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, vanilla, water, and honey. Microwave for about 45 seconds.

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Add the nuts and dried fruit and stir to combine.

Pour batter into foil-lined 8 x 8″ pan. Place plastic wrap directly on top of the “dough” and compress the mixture evenly in the dish.

Refrigerate for 1 hour, then cut block into 8-12 bars.

Wrap each bar individually and store in a sealable container. I recommend keeping them refrigerated.

Protein Bars
Ingredients
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup oat flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 scoops vanilla protein powder (1/4 cup=1 scoop)
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
2 tbsp flaxseeds
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup nuts
1/2 cup dried fruit

Directions
1. Line an 8 x 8″ dish with foil, leaving a few inches of extra foil extending over the edges of the dish. Very lightly spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, oat flour, cinnamon, protein powder, dry milk powder, and seeds.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut peanut butter, vanilla, water, and honey. Microwave for about 45 seconds. Whisk, then combine. The mixture will be quite thick.
4. Add the nuts and dried fruit and stir to combine.
5. Roughly spread the mixture into the foil-lined dish. Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the “dough” and compress the mixture evenly in the dish. Leave the plastic wrap on and place in the fridge for an hour or until firm.
6. After an hour, remove and discard the plastic wrap. Use the foil to lift the mixture out of the dish. Slide the mixture off of the foil and cut the block into 8 bars. Place the bars in a sealable container. Since this mixture contains no preservatives, I recommend keeping them refrigerated.