Crunchy Granola Bars

About This Recipe

A crunchy, sweet granola bar made from oats, puffed rice, chocolate chips, and dried cranberries. These bars have protein powder mixed in as well to increase the protein load.

Ingredients

• 5 cups oats
• 3 cups puffed rice cereal
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
• 1 cup maple syrup
• 3 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. In a large bowl mix the salt, oats, and oil. Pour onto a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 15 minutes stirring every couple of minutes.
3. While the oats are baking, stir together the syrup, whey, and vanilla until the whey is dissolved.
4. Mix the oats, puffed rice, cranberries, and syrup mixture together.
5. Line a sheet pan with foil and spray with oil. Pour the mixture into the pan and press firmly. Add a layer of wax paper over the top before you press to keep your hands clean. The sheet pan should be a standard size ideally with a lip. If you have a smaller sheet pan you’ll probably end up with chewy bars.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes and remove from oven. Cut into 24 bars while still warm.