Who doesn’t love a healthy snack right?  So I created these very yummy chocolate protein bars.  So far, everyone – my husband, my daughter, and my mom – loves them and they’re gone faster than you can blink.

Interested?  Here’s what you need:

1.5 cups of wheat free oats
1/2 a cup of rice crisps – adds a little more texture
1/2 cup of chocolate protein powder (I used Vega)
pinch of salt

1/2 each of peanut/almond/cashew (whatever type of nut) butter and maple syrup
A little – spoonful – of coconut oil
Vanilla extract optional
1/3 cup of chocolate chips

First thing, grind the oats into a flour texture – I used a blender.  Then pour into a large bowl.  Add the rice crisps, and protein powder, and salt.  Then pour in the nut butter and maple syrup.  I also like to add a little (teaspoon) vanilla extract, but you don’t have to.  Mix everything together into a nice thick dough like texture.  If it’s too dry – add some coconut milk or almond milk to moisten.  Then pour the mixture into a square pan lined with parchment paper or wax paper.  press it into the pan and flatten it down into an even layer.  Stick in the freezer.

Over very low heat melt the coconut oil and the chocolate chips into a syrup.  Remove from heat. Take out the pan from the freezer and pour the chocolate syrup onto the flattened layer.  Stick it back in the freezer for a few hours.  Cut into squares and enjoy!