High Protein Pumpkin Spice Protein Bars
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups rolled oats (processed into a coarse flour)
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (ensure it is not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup creamy almond butter or cashew butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Leave a little extra paper hanging over the sides so you can easily lift the bars out later.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oat flour, vanilla protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Make sure there are no large clumps of protein powder left.
- In a separate medium bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and well-combined.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a sturdy spatula to fold everything together until a thick, slightly sticky dough forms. If you are using chocolate chips, fold them in now.
- Transfer the dough into your prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or a piece of parchment paper to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the corners. The firmer you press, the better the bars will hold their shape.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the bars to set. Once firm, lift the parchment paper out of the pan and slice the block into 12 even bars.