Homemade Protein Bars Recipe

How to make it

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• Preheat the oven to 350'F (325'F for a glass pan). Lightly spray a 9- by 13-inch baking pan AND a baking tray with nonstick spray.
• Mix together the protein powder, flour, oats, oat bran, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Crumble in the brown sugar, rubbing it with your fingers to break up any clumps. Stir in the chocolate chips.
• Measure the yogurt, oil, and vanilla into a second bowl, stirring until well combined.
• Add the wet mixture to the dry and mix patiently, until thoroughly
• blended. (You may have to use your hands--it will be a thick batter, verging on a dough.)
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan, patting it evenly into place with your hands.
• Bake in the center of the oven for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and cut into bars of any size or shape.
• Place the bars on the prepared baking tray and bake for another 15 minutes, or until golden around the edges. (For extra-crunchy bars, turn off the oven and leave them in there for up to 45 minutes longer.)
• Remove the bars from the oven, and place them on a rack to cool.
• Eat the bars within a few hours, or seal them in a heavy zip-style plastic bag and store in the freezer.
• For maximum crispness, "refresh" them in a toaster oven after defrosting.
• VARIATIONS: Protein Boosters
• You can make the main recipe with any combination of the following adjustments:
• Replace the canola oil with 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter (softened in a microwave).
• Replace the flour with quinoa, ground to a powder in a blender or an electric spice grinder.
• Replace the yogurt with mashed silken tofu (soft or firm.) Add an extra pinch of salt.
• Add 2 to 3 tablespoons powdered egg whites
• Add up to 1 cup chopped nuts and/or sunflower seeds.