monica’s protein bars
if you are tired of the store-bought protein bars, this is the perfect recipe for you. not only are the ingredients healthy but you will not find any food colorings, preservatives, or anything artificial. these are great after a workout, for breakfast, or any time you need a quick snack.
makes 20 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oatmeal, not instant
1 cup protein powder (whey, soy, or rice)
½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup oat bran
½ cup wheat germ
½ cup ground flax seed or flax meal
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
½ tsp each nutmeg, cloves, allspice
½ cup sucanat (found in whole foods) or honey
2 cups fat free greek yogurt (such as Fage) or
1 cup unsweetened apple sauce (no added ingredients, just apples)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (80% or darker)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Place the oatmeal through the sucanat ingredients into a large bowl.
Combine the yogurt, apple sauce, and vanilla into another bowl and stir until combined.
Add the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together. I use my hands because the dough is tough to mix with a spoon. Place the mixture into a non-stick 9×13 baking pan and bake for 15 minutes – make sure to flatten dough out to make the top smooth. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 15 minutes. Cut into approximately 20 bars and place them on a non-stick cookie sheet. Place in the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Nutritional info per serving: 180 calories, 26g carbohydrates, 5g fat, 8g protein