Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

I love granola bars. I try not to make a habit of eating them too often because they are high in carbohydrates and calories and I like to maintain a relatively lean figure so that my gym performance is optimal (it’s really hard to do a pull-up if you are carrying around too much body fat).

However, on days where I push really hard in the gym (like on leg, chest or back day) and I need the extra energy, I allow myself to eat higher calorie and higher carb meals and snacks because I know the calories and carbs will be put to good use.

Unfortunately, once you make these, you will find it’s hard not to overindulge because they taste so damn good. The trick is to freeze them right away and to only pull out the 1-2 servings that you will eat on those heavy, intense workout days.

Now time to stop talking and time to get cooking. You will find that these granola bars are nice and moist and have the perfect amount of sweetness. They are also high in fibre, have a good dose of protein from the protein powder and the eggs, and have some anti-inflammatory omega 3s from the hemp hearts and almonds.

If you want to lower the calorie and sugar content, you can always omit the chocolate coating from the recipe, but I am sucker for chocolate, so you will never catch me leaving it off! I would rather eat a little of something that tastes amazing than a lot of something that tastes good. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

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Ingredients

• Granola Bars:
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ cup natural peanut butter
• 1 scoop + 2 tablespoons vegan vanilla protein powder
• 2 cups gluten-free quick oats
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• a good pinch of sea salt
• Chocolate Coating:
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ½ cup dairy-free mini chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• a pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together all granola bar ingredients in a large bowl until a dough forms.
3. Press dough into a parchment-paper lined square glass baking dish.
4. Place in oven for 20 minutes or until edges turn golden brown, then remove and let cool on a wire rack.
5. In the meantime prepare the chocolate coating by melting together all ingredients over low heat, stirring frequently so the chocolate doesn’t burn.
6. Spread over the top of the cooled bars and place in the fridge to set.
7. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars was last modified: February 1st, 2017 by Michelle

Notes

GF, DF, Vegetarian