Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bars

I have been wanting to tinker around with this type of treat for awhile, and I'm psyched to have gotten the ball rolling with these. Oats, peanut butter, vanilla protein powder, chocolate, and dried cranberries 🙋🏼🙋🏼🙋🏼. There is flour and brown sugar, and I'll figure out a way to sub those out. Feel free to do so on your own. Please let me know if you've nailed it, I'd love to hear your input.

I used vegan butter here, so these treats are indeed vegan. I really enjoyed making these easy bars. It was like a giant slab of granola baking. Cut only when cooled completely. If you're freezing then wrap them individually and take out as needed. Def a way healthier desert or snack for the kiddies.

Ingredients:

1 and half sticks vegan butter

1 and half cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup flour

1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 tbsp vanilla protein powder

 1/4 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup craisins or raisins

Half cup dark chocolate chips. Or use a packed cup to a cup and a third of your fave mix ins.

1/4 each tsp cinnamon and salt

 1 and a half tsp vanilla

 

 

Directions:

Oven 350. Line a nine inch square baking pan with foil and grease well. Mix all dry ingredients except the mix ins. Set aside. Melt the butter sticks totally, let cool. Then add to the dry ingredients, along with the vanilla.

Add mix ins and combine well. Dough will be moist and crumbly. Pour dough into pan and flatten with fingers. Bake until top is golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

Cool completely on a wire rack. Lift the foil onto a work surface when ready. Peel off foil and cut into bars. Grab and go! Makes 18 bars.