My husband loves those pricey store bought protein bars. He buys boxes upon boxes of them. He eats them like they are going out of style. The only problem with these are that they get kind of expensive after a while.

To cut down on the cost of his obsession and to make bars that are preservative free, I decided to make my own version of them. My husband loves the peanut butter and chocolate combination, really, who doesn’t? So, that’s the recipe I made.

This recipe is perfect for the protein bar lover in your life.

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2/3 cup honey

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

2 cups oatmeal flakes

5 tablespoons ground flax seed

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

6 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Scoop the honey and the peanut butter into a glass bowl, heat for 30 seconds and then stir. Repeat until the mixture bubbles, then add the vanilla and stir. Set aside.

In a separate, larger bowl, toss the cereal, oatmeal, flax seed, cocoa powder and chocolate chips and mix until combined. Drizzle the honey mixture over the cereal mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until all the pieces are evenly coated.

Line a 9x13 inch pan with waxed or parchment paper. Scoop the mixture into the pan and then pack it down. Place the pan in the fridge and let the bars cool for 45 minutes. Cut into 16 bars. You can leave them in the pan or place them into individual sandwich bags. Just be sure to keep them refrigerated until time to eat.

Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of the University of Montana, animal lover and writer.

 

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