Protein Granola Bars

I love protein bars for the pure sake of portability & ease. I am a huge proponent of using them for both snack time and after exercise fuel (with a good amount of both protein and carbs to help rebuild muscles and refill glycogen stores - your muscles carbohydrate energy stores), so protein bars come in handy for me on a regular basis. However, sometimes I want to be able to control the composition of the bars as well as flavor profile a little bit more. These homemade bars are just that…. they are versatile as well as easy to make. Not to mention the ingredients are CHEAP! And depending on how much protein powder and flax you throw in they can serve different purposes (i.e. they could be a easy snack to hold you over till dinner or serve the role of replenishing after an intense workout).

RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats

• 1 scoop protein powder (If you are using as breakfast or after exercise I would bump up to 3 scoops)

• 1.5 tbsp ground flax (3 tbsp if using as a breakfast replacement)

• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

• 1/4 to 1/3 cup dried cranberries

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup peanut butter

• 1/3 cup honey

• 1/2 cup oat milk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Place a piece of parchment paper down in a baking dish. Spray with avocado oil.

Mix dry ingredients (oats, flax, protein powder pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, cinnamon, and salt) together in a large bowl. Mix the wet ingredients in a separate bowl.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix and use a spatula to combine into a "dough."

Press dough down into baking sheet with a firm hand or spatula.

Bake for about 17-20 minutes until golden brown and firmed up, but still soft in center.

Once cooled, cut into rectangles. It will make about 8-12.

Protein Total: 5 grams-15 grams depending on the amount of protein powder used and how many bars cut into. For lighter amount of protein, cut into 12 bars and use 1 scoop powder. For higher amount of protein, cut into 8 bars and use 3 scoops.

For further information regarding your specific protein goals and timing, schedule an appointment with Emily.