Homemade High-Protein Snack Bars with Oats, Peanut Butter & Cranberries

Homemade High-Protein Snack Bars with Oats, Peanut Butter & Cranberries

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats

• ½ cup peanut butter

• ⅓ cup honey

• ½ cup powdered milk or protein powder

• ½ cup dried cranberries

• ¼ cup chopped almonds or peanuts

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds or ground flaxseed

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2–4 tablespoons milk, as needed

• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Mix the dry ingredients: Add oats, powdered milk or protein powder, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and chia seeds to a large bowl. Stir well.

2. Add the wet ingredients: Gently warm the peanut butter and honey until soft. Stir in the vanilla and salt.

3. Combine: Pour the peanut-butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

4. Adjust the texture: If the mixture is too dry, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until it becomes sticky and holds together.

5. Press into a pan: Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with parchment paper. Transfer the mixture to the pan and press it down firmly and evenly.

6. Chill: Refrigerate for 1–2 hours, or until firm.

7. Cut into bars: Remove from the pan and cut into 10–12 bars.

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months.

Optional Variations

• Add dark chocolate chips for a chocolate version.

• Add 1–2 tablespoons of cocoa powder for extra chocolate flavor.

• Replace peanut butter with almond or sunflower-seed butter.

• Use protein powder instead of powdered milk for a higher-protein version.

Tip

Press the mixture very firmly into the pan before chilling. This helps the bars hold together instead of crumbling.