protein packed breakfast oat bars

We’ve all been hearing “breakfast is the most important meal of the day!” since we were kiddos. But breakfast can be intimidating! Personally, I have struggle to find options that are tasty, not too heavy but not too light, and still able to fuel me for the rest of the day!

These bars are my attempt to check all those boxes. They can be kept refrigerated for up to a week, and I highly recommend warming them before you dig in!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon of salt

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• 3 tablespoon chia seeds

• 2 tablespoon plant protein (I used hemp seed protein powder!)

• 1 banana, mashed

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 cup peanut butter

• 1 cup oat milk (almond milk works too!)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• walnuts, to sprinkle over the top

• dark chocolate chips, to sprinkle over the top

HOW TO MAKE IT:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

• In a microwave safe bowl, melt the coconut oil.

• Combine all the dry ingredients (except walnuts & chocolate chips!) in a bowl.

• In a separate, larger bowl mash the banana. Then pour in all the wet ingredients.

• Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients & mix everything until fully combined. The batter will be runny!

• Pour the batter into a non-stick cake pan.

• Sprinkle walnuts & chocolate chips over the top of the batter.

• Loosely cover the pan with a sheet of tinfoil (to avoid burning!)

• Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Let cool, then slice into 2-inch rectangles & enjoy!