Yummy NO BAKE protein bar recipe

/ Red Hot Personal Training/
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These homemade protein bars are a healthier choice than many shop bought bars that sometimes contain mysterious ingredients that can't even be pronounced! Ideal for a quick snack, whilst traveling, for hungry children after school, a quick pick me up during the day or perfect if endurance training.

These bars require about 15 minutes of prep time, then an hour-long rest in the refrigerator to set. Recipe makes about 16 bars.

  • 140g chopped almonds
  • 160g porridge oats
  • 100g unsweetened coconut flakes (shredded coconut should work, too)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon is best)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 200g almond butter (or peanut butter)
  • 120ml (1/2 cup) maple syrup
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1.     Line a 9-inch square baking tray with parchment paper. Lay the paper over and up the sides of the edges as this will make it easy for you to remove and slice the bars later.

2.    Toast the chopped almonds for maximum flavor (you can skip this step, but your bars won't be quite as awesome): In a medium pan over medium heat, toast the almonds, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and starting to turn lightly golden on the edges, about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a medium mixing bowl. 

3.    Add all the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir until blended. The drier the mixture, the firmer the bars will be, so stir in extra oats if the mixture seems too wet. If its seems too dry you might need to drizzle in another tablespoon of maple syrup to help it all stick together.

4.    Transfer the mixture to the baking tray. Use a spoon to pack the mixture down as firmly and evenly as possible.

5.    Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight. This gives the oats time to set.

6.    When you are ready to slice, lift the bars out of the baking tray by grabbing both pieces of parchment paper on opposite corners. Use a sharp knife to slice the mixture into squares.

7.    For portability, you can wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Bars keep well for a couple of days at room temperature, but I recommend storing individually wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for best flavor. They will keep for several months in the freezer.

Enjoy:) x