I get asked all the time about these and they are a client favorite week after week. My husband even has me make extra weekly for his breakfast grab & go. They are protein packed, delicious, and can easily be made gluten-free by using GF oats versus regular. They are also so versatile- add dried cranberries, cherries, crushed nuts, cacao powder, extracts… the options are endless! A definite must try.

Recipe by: The Culinary Nest

MAKES

24 bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS

5 cups rolled oats, finely ground

3 cups peanut butter

1 cup agave nectar

1/2 cup honey

2 cups coconut flakes, finely shredded

1 cup mini chocolate chips

2 cups ground flax seed

1/4 cup chia seeds

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

METHOD

• Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Using your hands, mix well until well distributed and the mixture sticks together. I like to try make a well and put the wet ingredients in the middle of the bowl, then using my hands I pull the dry ingredients from the sides of the bowl over the wet and press down so that it distributes into the ingredients and not on your fingers. If the mixture does not adhere to itself when pinched after it mixed completely, add more peanut butter. Continue this step until it feels like the right consistency. If the mixture seems dry, add some more agave nectar.

• On a standard sized baking sheet, pour the mixture out and flatten across the whole surface with your fingers. I sometimes use a flat surfaced measuring cup or bowl once the mixture is mainly spread out to create an even surface along the top. (Alternative method: using a large spoon, form 2” balls of the mixture using your hands to roll them into a smooth shape. Lay individually on the baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap to chill.)

• Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes before cutting into bars. Make these any shape or size that you desire!