Vegan Perfect Bars

You will love these bars! I love that the don't require any special equipment - just a big bowl and your hands, really! I also love that they don't have powdered egg as an ingredient (gross!) like the store bought bars do! 

To make this recipe, I started with this recipe but added mesquite powder, used cacao nibs alongside chocolate chips, and used a bit less maple syrup.

Vegan Perfect Bars

1 cup oat flour (1.25 cups oats, blended)
1/2 cup almond meal 
1/4 cup mesquite powder
1/2 cup thin runny peanut butter 
1/4 cup protein powder (I used Vega)
1/4 cup + 1-2 TBSP milk (I used flax)
2 TBSP maple
1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder
pinch of sea salt
Chocolate chips and/or cacao nibs (I used both)

In a medium mixing bowl, mix all of the ingredients other than the chocolate chips together. Once combined, add the chocolate chips. You may want to use your hands to mix and form the mixture into a ball.

To shape into bars: If you have a medium size rectangular or square dish (like 8x8" maybe) you can line it with parchment paper and then press the mixture into it. Alternatively, I prefer to use a large piece of parchment paper to form my own rectangle by folding over the sides, using the folds to shape the dough into a rectangle. Whichever way you decide to do it, make sure you really press that mixture down, which will ensure a bar that holds together without crumbling. Once you've pressed it down, place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Then, using a sharp chefs knife, cut them into bars (or squares, or whatever shapes you'd like). Wrap individually or store them in a container in the refrigerator.