Chocolate Oatmeal Energy Bars

Ingredients7 Prep Time 5minutes Cook Time10minutes Total Time15minutes

Ingredients  (24 bites)

  • 3/4 cup uncooked oatmeal
  • 60g unflavored protein powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 14 (263g) pitted dates
  • 1 measured cup (16 tablespoons) almond butter (with oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5oz no-sugar added dark chocolate baking bar with Stevia (I used Lily’s brand)

Instructions

  1. Add oatmeal, protein and cinnamon to a food processor or high powered blender.  Blend until you have a fine powder like flour.
  2. Add the pitted dates, nut butter and extract.
  3. Pulse blend until you have a sticky, chunky mixture.
  4. Scoop out the batter onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.  
  5. Spread it evenly on the sheet and pat/mash it down so it is packed in. 
  6. Place in the freezer as you prepare the chocolate.
  7. Place chocolate bar (or chunks) in a microwaveable safe bowl and microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until melted.
  8. Remove the tray from the freezer and evenly spread the melted chocolate on top of the oat & protein mix.
  9. Place in the freezer for 1 hour (or fridge for 2 hours), then remove and cut into your desired portions. 

 Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks or freezer for 1 month.

Notes

    • I used collagen peptide protein.  I highly recommend using it OR substituting with an isolate whey protein.  Depending on which type of protein powder you use, you may need more/less dates for sweetness and to help with binding, OR you may need more/less nut butter.  The thicker the protein powder is, the more dates and nut butter you will need to add in order to make it dense like a bar.
    • You can also use vanilla or chocolate flavored protein powder
    • I soaked my dates in water for 5 minutes before blending in order to soften them and make them easier to blend. 
    • The smaller the tray, the thicker (higher) your bars will be, so select the size that coincides with your desired thickness. 

https://www.yummly.com/recipe/Chocolate-Oatmeal-Energy-Bars-2585224#directions

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