Chocolate Protein Bars Chock-Full of Almonds

Protein is my "thing."

So much so that I might even go as far as to say it my "thannnng."

It keeps you full so you can avoid that whole 'oh-my-gosh-I-am-so-hungry-I-could-eat-my-arm-right-now" feeling that sometimes happens between breakfast and lunch break.

I make sure that I include protein at all my meals (like at breakfast time with these Protein Pancakes) and even in my dessert eat-age (like with these Protein Brownies.)

And, now, I'm including it my (and hopefully your!) snack-age with some Chocolate Protein Bars.

Can't Stop. Won't Stop.

My love of chocolate started, well, at birth, but I didn't realize just how well it paired with all things protein until it made its way into a Chocolate Protein Smoothie.

Really though, can chocolate make anything bad? It's like bacon.  It's always the right choice.

Especially when paired with chewy oats, crunchy almonds and creamy almond butter. I die.

The story of the quest for the perfect protein bar begins like all good stories begin: I was hungry. Like I-need-food-yesterday kind of hungry.

I rummaged through the cupboards and couldn't find anything that sounded perfect for the give-me-sweet-but-also-give-me-healthy "food mood" that I was in.  I didn't know what to do.   It was downright tragic, guys.

Sitting down in the middle of the kitchen floor, I began to ponder my options.  Do I go to the store and buy something?  Considering that I had deemed that day a "no makeup and no real pants" day, going out in public was definitely out of the question.  Side note: Like chocolate and bacon, pajamas are always the right choice.

Option 2: make something that fit exactly what I was craving.

Thinking about the poor people that would be exposed to no makeup Taylor, I decided that option 2 was the only option.

And, guys, it was such a good life choice.

Into the oven went the easiest, one bowl mixture of Chocolate Almond Protein yum-ness, and out came heaven in a healthy, portable, snack-o-rific bar form.

Give-me-sweet-but-also-give-me-healthy "food moods," you have met your match.

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Chocolate Protein Bars Recipe

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Ingredients

• 3/4 cup quick oats, plus 2 tablespoons
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons chocolate protein powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons almond butter
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened apple sauce

Directions

1. Preheat you oven to 350°F and line a small baking dish (mine was 8x6) with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, protein powder, salt, cinnamon, slivered almonds and milk chocolate chips.  Toss to mix evenly.
3. In a small bowl, melt the almond butter, honey and coconut oil in the microwave. Stir in the vanilla and apple sauce.
4. Add the almond butter mixture into the oat mixture and mix until well combined. I find using your hands is the easiest.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, really pressing down to make sure the mixture is press up all against the sides and compacted as well as possible
6. Bake until the sides just start to pull away and darken, about 33-35 minutes .
7. Let cool completely before lifting the parchment out of the pan and slicing.
8. Bars can be kept at room temperature for 4-5 days, and then stored in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

• You can get away with 1 tbsp less of brown/granulated sugar is you likes a less sweet and less "commercial" tasting bar. I preferred it with the recommended amount.
• The bars will be VERY soft and appear undercooked when done. They set up A LOT once cooling.

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