Protein Granola Bars

Prepare an 8-inch square pan by lightly spraying it with oil. Then, press a piece of parchment paper into the bottom of the pan. This will guarantee easy removal of your granola bars later. 2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, hemp hearts, and salt. Stir well to combine. You'll want to keep this bowl nearby because the recipe moves quickly. 3. Add the honey to a small saucepan, and measure the peanut butter and coconut oil so they are ready to go. Bring the honey to a boil over high heat on the stove top. Once it starts to boil, set a timer for 1 minute. 4. When the timer goes off, immediately turn off the heat and add the peanut butter and coconut oil to the boiled honey. Stir well, until the mixture looks smooth and creamy. Quickly pour it into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir well. The mixture may thicken as it cools, but continue to stir until all of the dry ingredients have been coated in the peanut butter mixture. 5. Transfer the granola bar mixture to the prepared pan and use a spatula to flatten it evenly. Place the pan in the fridge to chill until firm, about 1 hour. Then use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Use a sharp knife to slice 12 full-size granola bars. For a bite-sized snack, you can cut the bars in half again to create 24 smaller pieces. (See photos for reference.) 6. Serve these granola bars at room temperature or chilled. They will keep well for up to 5 days at room temperature, but have a firmer texture when chilled. You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. 7. prep10 mins 8. cook10 mins 9. total20 mins