This recipe was adapted from a Taste of Home recipe: Cinnamon Granola Bars. My family loves my version, and they are a great alternative to high calorie bars. We find they are a perfect pre-swim practice or meet snack. They are so popular now that swim teammates are asking for them too! I have played with this recipe several times – reducing the sugar, increasing the nut butter, replacing the flour with nut or coconut flour or a mixture of both or all three.
¼ c. natural peanut butter (1/4 c. butter)
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. Flaxseed
2 Tbsp. Honey
1 c. all-purpose flour (I like 3/4 almond flour, 1/4 white; or all almond works - just turn out flatter)
2 c. old-fashioned oats
½ tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. unsweetened powdered coconut (find in bulk section)
2 Tbsp. Protein powder (I use whey protein)
½ c. dark or semi- sweet chocolate chips (sub for ½ c. raisins)
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
Splash of almond milk, water, or lowfat milk
Beat butter and brown sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Add egg; beat well. Stir in flax and honey. In a small bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, protein powder. Combine with creamed mixture just until blended. Add your chips (or raisins). If batter looks dry, splash in some milk or water. Your batter will be sticky.
Place tin foil in an 11 x 7 in baking dish and coat lightly with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 14-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. It may not feel set … but if brown, it is done. It will set as it cools and they will be moist! Use a pizza cutter to cut your bars when cool. Enjoy!