High Protein Granola Bars

Ingredient List

1 1/2 C Dried Cranberries

3 Tb. Peanut Butter or Sunflower Butter

2 Tb. Honey or Maple Syrup

2 Tb. Coconut Oil

1 1/2 C Old Fashion Oats

1/2 C Quinoa, cooked

1 C Cashew Pieces

1/2 C White Chocolate, optional

1/4 C Great Lakes Beef Collagen Powder, optional

I am always looking for healthy treats that are simple to make and full of flavor. These bars are just that. Plus the high protein really helps as well. Many of us lack the proper amount of protein in our diets. I try to find ways to boost the protein intake any chance I can. We really enjoy these granola bars. Here is how I made them.

First let me tell you about this gelatin I use. This stuff is completely flavorless and it has 0 fats and 11 grams of protein per 2 tablespoons. Whenever I cook something that needs a little more boost of protein, I add this stuff to it. You don’t have to use this if you don’t want to. It won’t effect the taste or texture of the granola bars. I have never found this in a store so I order it online. If you are wanting to make these bars Vegan, you would leave this and the chocolate out of the recipe.

Let me tell ya where I get my dried cranberries from. Trader Joes has THE BEST dried cranberries. These guys are actually the orange infused dried cranberries. They are WONDERFUL! I start by soaking the dried cranberries in boiling water for about 10 minutes. I then drain the water off and pulse them in a food processor until you have smaller bits. Using the same pan, heat the butter that you choose, the honey or syrup and the coconut oil until it is melted and smooth.

I take a mixing bowl and I put the oats, cashew pieces, white chocolate and protein in it and give it a stir. I then add the quinoa and mix it in.

Next take the Craisins and toss them into the bowl as well.

Now mix in your melted butter/oil/syrup in to the dry ingredients.

Lightly spray a piece of wax paper that is lining a 8×8 or 9×9 or whatever dish you want to place your granola in. I use coconut oil spray from Trader Joes to spray my wax paper. You can use butter or whatever you like to spray the wax paper. I then press the mixture into the pan and place it in the fridge for about 2 hours or until the bars have set nice and firm.

Now that the bars have set, remove the wax paper from the dish and but the bars into the desired size. I then fold up the individual bars with wax paper so they don’t stick together and keep them in the fridge until I am ready to eat!

Like I said earlier, this dish can be made vegan very easily. It is Gluten Free already (as long as your ingredients are in fact gluten free…. the oats would be the concern.) I hope you give these a try and enjoy them as much as we have!