Homemade Protein Bars with Peanut Butter

These homemade protein bars are budget-friendly, seriously tasty, and pack 15 grams of protein each. You won't need a mixer or an oven.

Ingredients

• 250 g (1 cup) natural peanut butter, smooth and runny
• 1/2 cup pure silan (date syrup)
• 3 tablespoons applesauce, about 50 g (1.8 oz)
• 3.5 scoops vanilla vegan protein powder, about 105 g (3.7 oz)
• 2 cups unsweetened puffed rice cereal
• Optional: a pinch of coarse salt, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the silan, applesauce, and salt and cinnamon, if using.
2. Add the peanut butter and mix well until smooth and glossy.
3. Add the protein powder and stir until the mixture has the texture of soft modeling clay.
4. Pour in the puffed rice and knead with your hands until all the cereal is coated in the dough.
5. Press into a small square pan lined with parchment paper, packing the mixture down firmly into an even layer.
6. Freeze for 2 hours to firm up.
7. Remove from the freezer, cut into 10 bars, and drizzle with a little peanut butter mixed with silan.

Tips

If the mixture feels dry and crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of water. Store the bars in an airtight container in the freezer.