Oats, nut butter, and your favorite protein powder combine to make a simple, delicious and filling snack that is completely portable.  Perfect for those days that are go-go-go!

Hey again!

I promised you a recipe for these super easy super delicious oatmeal protein bars…so here it is! 🙂

A couple of weeks ago, I received a package of Vega Sport Performance Protein in Mocha. (I did not receive compensation for this post, just the product and I chose to create this recipe all on my own!)  While I really try to limit the amount of protein powder I consume (it occasionally irritates my tummy and I try to eat real, whole foods as much as possible) Vega products have a pretty great ingredient list and my tummy typically doesn’t get irritated by the protein powder.

That being said, as soon as I got the powder I knew that I wanted to get busy in the kitchen.  I love mocha flavored things!

While I LOVE using Vega in smoothies, I wanted to switch things up a bit and try out some protein/granola bars.  I love having little snacks that I can keep on hand for days when I am super busy or just super hungry, and these are absolutely perfect for on the go snacking.

Let me know if you give them a try!! 🙂 Enjoy!

Oatmeal Protein Bars

Yields:  about 16 small bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 scoop protein powder of choice (I used Vega Sport Performance Mocha)
• 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp peanut butter (Other nut butters may work, but I have not tried them)
• 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2-4 Tbsp coconut or almond milk (Add until the bars reach the desired consistency)

Directions:

1. Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter and maple syrup.  Heat over low temperature until the ingredients melt together.  (You can do this in the microwave…we just don’t own one!)
3. In a large bowl, combine the oats and protein powder.
4. Add the melted peanut butter and maple syrup to the oats and protein powder.  Add in the coconut milk or almond milk 1 Tbsp at a time and thoroughly mix until you can form the “dough” into a ball and it sticks together.
5. Once the “dough” is of the desired consistency and sticks together, spread the dough evenly in the bottom of the 8×8 inch baking dish.
6. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow everything to firm up.  Cut into 16 bars and store in the refrigerator for easy snacking!
7. Enjoy!

Question of the day:

• This doesn’t really have to do with the recipe, but do you guys prefer when I post a recipe without any of the “about my life/what I did today stuff” or do you like it better WITH the random things about my life/day?  Just curious!