Vegan Triple Chocolate Protein Bars
 
 
Ingredients
Base
  • two cups oats
  • 1 cup rice puffs, organic, unsweetened
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 (26 gm) scoops Vega Chocolate Smoothie protein mix
  • 3/4 cup brown rice syrup
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 6 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Topping
  • 1/3 cup raw almonds
  • 1 package (283 g) Enjoy Life Mega Chunks
  • 2 tsp coconut oil (melted)
Instructions
  1. Prepare a 9x9" baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, so that the paper extends up over opposite sides (this helps you lift the bars out). My pan was non-stick so I didn't have to line it.
Base
  1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, rice puffs (gluten-free puffed rice cereal), coconut, cocoa powder and protein mix. In a smaller bowl, stir together the brown rice syrup, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla extract. Pour the syrup mixture over the oats and rice mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together until blended.
  2. Spoon then press the mixture into the prepared 9x9" baking pan.
Topping
  1. Coarsely chop the almonds, leaving some larger pieces. Scatter over the top of the base.
  2. Melt the package of Enjoy LIfe Mega Chunks by microwaving in bursts of 30 seconds, stirring after each time. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate pieces as they can turn "grainy". Once melted, stir in the coconut oil. Then pour over the base, covering the almond chunks and the entire top of the square. If needed, use the back of a spoon to spread the chocolate, or gently tip the pan up on one side.
  3. Let the bars set in the fridge. Remove by lifting out with the ends of the parchment paper, place on a cutting board and cut into bars or squares. Wrap and refrigerate or freeze. I did leave mine on the counter and they were fine for a few days.. but I'm not entirely sure, because they were gone by the third day:)
Recipe by Just a Smidgen at https://justasmidgen.com/2014/03/09/gluten-free-vegan-triple-chocolate-protein-bars/