Protein Granola Bars!

Hey My Chocolate Chips!

You guys are the BEST! THANK YOU for all your tips for picking a college that is right for you! Right now I am at the point in my life that I have to make a lot of decisions that will affect the outcome of the rest of my life, so thank you for making this simpler! Also, I love your idea to make homemade fig newtons! I love a challenge, so I’ll start brainstorming and having some fun.

I now present you with my Granola Bars — that it, my PROTEIN Granola Bars.

After I made these lovelies, I compared one bar of my Protein Granola Bars (which accounted to about 49 grams) to 49 grams of the Quaker Oat Chewy Bars (I had to use 2 bars to make an even comparison). For the same amount, my Protein Granola Bars have fewer calories, less fat, less carbs (about half the amount of the QOCGB), less sugar (and even if you add the honey/agave, it is STILL a ton less!), and 4x the amount of protein!

In addition, those Quaker Oat Chewy Bars have an ENOURMOUS ingredient list.

GRANOLA (WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, BROWN SUGAR, CRISP RICE [RICE FLOUR, SUGAR, SALT, MALTED BARLEY EXTRACT], WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED WHEAT, SOYBEAN OIL, DRIED COCONUT, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SOY LECITHIN, CARAMEL COLOR, NONFAT DRY MILK), SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHIPS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE LIQUOR, COCOA BUTTER, SOY LECITHIN, VANILLA EXTRACT), CORN SYRUP, BROWN RICE CRISP (WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE, SUGAR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, SALT), INVERT SUGAR, SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, GLYCERIN, SOYBEAN OIL. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SORBITOL, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT, WATER, SOY LECITHIN, MOLASSES, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, BHT (PRESERVATIVE), CITRIC ACID.

I don’t even want to count how many different sugars are in those Quaker Oat things! How many different kinds of sugar do you need in a little bar?

I would much rather eat these Homemade Protein Granola Bars ANYDAY! Compared to that prepackaged stuff, these Protein Bars fill you up, taste better, and are nutritionally better for you.

Protein Granola Bars

printer-friendly version

Notes: These are Vegan, Whole Grain, Low in sugar, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and absolutely DELICIOUS! They are perfect for an afternoon snack and would be a delicious addition to your breakfast alongside a morning smoothie!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cup rolled oats or oat bran (make sure it’s uncontaminated for gluten-free)
  
• 3/4 cup unflavored protein powder (this is the kind I used)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup walnut almond butter
• 3 bananas, the riper the better
• 3/4 cup almond milk (1/4 cup of this can be honey/agave — the honey/agave makes it extra yummy, but is optional)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

See below for substitution notes.

Directions:

Combine the oats, protein powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In a larger bowl, combine the walnut almond butter, mashed bananas, milk, and vanilla. (add your honey/agave too if you prefer bars to be sweet)

Add the dry to the wet and stir to combine.

Fold in the Raisins, Sunflower Seeds, and Chocolate Chips.

Pour the oat mixture into a baking pan (I used a 9×13) and spread it out with a spoon.

Bake at 350* for 16-20 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden brown around the edges. Let cool. Cut into bars. To store, just wrap them in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for easy transportation.

These granola bars aren’t made with sugar, but to make sweeter, just use 1/3 cup honey for agave in place of part of the almond milk, or add stevia to taste. With the protein powder — it can be whatever flavor you want it to be. I like to use unflavored protein powder because I like to control the taste of the bars, but any flavor would do. Vanilla would be VERY yummy.

If you want to amp up the protein EVEN MORE, replace the rolled oats with oat bran and peanuts with soy nuts. If you don’t care for chocolate, just replace it with more raisins. Still very delicious.

These are better than ANY of those other bars you buy in the store! And cheaper too!

Which do you use more often? Agave, Honey, or Stevia? I use stevia the most.

What kinds of sweeteners do you use? I try to avoid using white sugar; I prefer natural sources of sugar — like stevia, fruit, agave/honey, maple syrup, and molasses. Even though they are natural, I try use them in moderation.

Chocolate or Carob? I’m really liking carob right now, but I love chocolate too!

xoxox,

Tags: Baking, Bran, breakfast, Brunch, Chocolate, dessert, Dessert bars, Gluten Free, Granola Bars, High-Protein, Peanut butter, Raisin, Rolled oats, soy-free, summer food, Vegetarian, Whole grain