Apricot Oat Protein Bars
These protein bars are the perfect nutritious, protein rich, wholesome snack guaranteed to satisfy and fuel your day. These simple yet satisfying bars get their protein from a mix of almonds, hemp hearts, oats and peanut butter, and you can boost the protein count even more with a scoop of your favourite protein powder.You can really save money by making your own homemade protein bars, and they taste better than anything you can buy at the store.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, soaked for 30 minutes and drained
- 1/2 cup oats, instant or quick
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts (seeds) or chia seeds
- 1/4 cup peanut (or any nut or seed) butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup any protein powder
- Optional toppings
- 4 oz chocolate chips, melted
- few extra apricots, chopped
Instructions
- Line a 8×8 pan with parchment paper overlapping the sides and top to use as a handle for easy removal of bars. Set aside.In a food processor, blend together nuts and oats until broken down and crumbly. Add dates and continue to process until mixture is well combined and a sticky batter has formed.Add apricots, coconut oil, hemp hearts, peanut butter, protein powder and honey and pulse until well combined but apricots are still left a little chunky for texture.Scoop mixture out into prepared pan and evenly smooth out with the back of a spoon.
- To add chocolate topping, heat chocolate chips in the microwave for 45 seconds, stir, then drizzle on top of bars.Sprinkle extra chopped apricots on top. Let bars cool in fridge to set. Around 30 minutes. Once batter is set, cut into 10 squares.Keep refrigerated.