Homemade protein bars

Protein bars are a staple in my family, and for good reason. All three of my teen-agers run from school to jobs to activities, and protein bars are a healthy way to fill up while on the move. My daughter, Grace, found a copycat recipe for Perfect bars, which we tweaked a bit since everyone wanted an alternative to peanut butter-based bars. (Peanut butter, while awesome, can be a little overpowering in terms of flavor.) We also doubled the original recipe, since the bars tend to go fast in our house. Credit to Erin Lives Whole for the original recipe, which can be found here. Here is our version below:

Homemade Protein Bars:

• 2 1/2 cup oat flour

• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (We use Amy Myers Vanilla Bean)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup natural almond butter (any nut butter works, but almond is a more neutral flavor)

• 2/3 cup honey

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2-4 TB melted coconut oil

• 1 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

In a large bowl, mix oat flour, protein powder and salt. Add in almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, and 2 TB coconut oil. (We melt the almond butter and coconut oil a little so it is easier to mix.) We usually end up almost kneading it together since it is very thick. If it’s too crumbly, add more coconut oil. Mix in chocolate chips. Press into an 8x8” pan (we use glass) and add more chocolate chips on top if desired. Let them sit in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into bars. Keep refrigerated.

• We have added dried blueberries and white chocolate chips for a blueberry bar; dark and white chocolate chips and dried raspberries for a raspberry bar; and white chocolate chips and cinnamon for cinnamon bun bars. The options are really endless with this recipe.