Protein Granola Bars
The ultimate snack for busy days, these Protein Granola Bars are packed with wholesome ingredients that satisfy your cravings and keep you energized. With a perfect chewy texture and a nutty flavor, they’re ideal for meal prep or a post-workout boost. You’ll want to make them tonight!
Equipment
- Wooden Spoon
- Mixing Bowl
- Frying Pan
- Chef's Knife
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened protein powder
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup honey
- ¾ cup all-natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Prepare an 8-inch square pan by lightly spraying it with oil. Then, press a piece of parchment paper into the bottom of the pan. This will guarantee easy removal of your granola bars later.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, protein powder, hemp hearts, and salt. Stir well to combine.
- Add the honey to a small saucepan, and measure the peanut butter and coconut oil so they are ready to go. Bring the honey to a boil over high heat on the stovetop. Once it starts to boil, set a timer for 1 minute.
- When the timer goes off, immediately turn off the heat and add the peanut butter and coconut oil to the boiled honey. Stir well, until the mixture looks smooth and creamy.
- Quickly pour it into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir well. The mixture may thicken as it cools, but continue to stir until all of the dry ingredients have been coated in the peanut butter mixture.
- Transfer the granola bar mixture to the prepared pan and use a spatula to flatten it evenly.
- Place the pan in the fridge to chill until firm, about 1 hour.
- Then use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to slice 12 full-size granola bars.
- For a bite-sized snack, you can cut the bars in half again to create 24 smaller pieces.
- Serve these granola bars at room temperature or chilled. They will keep well for up to 5 days at room temperature, but have a firmer texture when chilled. You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- Nutrition information: is for 1 of 12 bars. This information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients from a database, so it’s just an estimate and not a guarantee.
- Oil-Free Note: Feel free to omit the coconut oil if you’d like to reduce the fat and calories slightly.
- Honey Note: If you need to reduce the sweetener, you can, but keep in mind that it will also change the texture.
- Gluten-Free Note: Shop for “certified gluten-free” oats if you need to.
- Protein Powder Note: I tested this recipe with Garden of Life unsweetened protein powder.
- Topping Ideas: You can drizzle these bars with melted dark chocolate, if desired.