Homemade No Bake Oat and Chocolate Protein Bars made with peanut butter and rice krispie cereal. Vegan, and can be made gluten free.
Who here gained weight over the summer? 🙋
I must have, because when I came back from Vancouver, my landlord told me that “you look a lot better now you’re back”. Which she then elaborated by saying “your face is a lot more round”.
I was sort of expecting a “you look well rested” or something like that, but I’ll take whatever I can get.
I hope I’m not alone on this, but I am the worst at working out during the holidays. Which is probably why my face is apparently noticeably rounder after 2 weeks of lounging around.
I am also the worst at working out when the school year begins. Heck, even during the school year when I get in the full swing of things I don’t work out as much as I would like.
So this is what I usually do when I am just not feeling into getting active: I make some protein packed snacks. Snacks that I can take with me so that I have some grab and go nutrition for right after the work out. And 9 times out of 10, that is all the motivation I need to get out there.
Unless I was planning a morning sweat sesh.
What do you need to make these Oat and Chocolate Protein Bars?
For me, this is mainly all pantry staples. All you need is:
- rolled oats
- protein powder (I used vanilla)
- Rice Krispies
- salt
- natural peanut butter
- pure maple syrup
- vanilla extract
- chocolate chips
- coconut oil
These Oat and Chocolate Protein Bars are John’s favourite right now. He finishes them in under 48 hours. Which is fine, because I always have all of these ingredients on hand. But I have a soft spot for the peanut butter and chocolate protein bars I made 4 months ago.
But this works out perfectly. I make one batch of these oat and chocolate protein bars for John, and another batch of my peanut butter and chocolate protein bars for myself to avoid fighting over the last pieces.
The peanut butter in these protein bars help pack in more protein to help you recover. Sadly, this also means that I can’t bring them to school. BUT I have been planning on working out before school daily, the bar will be all gone before I reach the school.
Key word there was planning on working out before school. I haven’t actually put it into action yet, but don’t they say it’s the thought that counts? 😉
If you try this Oat and Chocolate Protein Bars recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Oat and Chocolate Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup rice krispie cereal (or any rice crisp cereal)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 6 Tbsp chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- Pulse the oats in a food processor until it forms a type of flour.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oat flour, protein powder, rice krispies and salt. Add in the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan.
- In a small saucepan, mix together the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Heat on low heat until melted. Do not overcook!!
- Pour the chocolate mixture on top of the protein bars. Place the pan in the freezer until chocolate hardens. Cut into bars and place in an airtight container.
I totally have to bribe myself to do any form of exercise and these look like a great way to do it 😉
Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one!