I don't know about y'all but I never was a big breakfast person (I know, I know, horrible for you). My parents were never big into breakfast themselves so as I got older I just naturally fell into the same bucket of non-breakfast eaters. For me breakfast is a cup of coffee (which I will likely only drink 3 sips of then dispose) and a string cheese.

As I scarfing down my lunch at 10am one day, I really thought I should make a more concerted effort to eat something satisfying in the morning so my snacking habits do not get the best of me (which let's be honest they still do, but hey once a snacker always a snacker). I thought about granola bars but wanted something with a little protein to be able to provide substance to the granola bar. I tested out a couple different variations of this recipe but let me tell you, once you make you will look forward to having one of these at any time during your day!

PRO TIPS:

• This recipe can be made a bunch of different ways. Try removing the banana (you will need to add a couple tablespoons more of milk to hold the mix together) if you aren't a fan, incorporate dried fruits (my first batch of dried cherries + walnuts were fire!), switch out the walnuts for pumpkin seeds, almonds, etc or add chocolate chips. The granola bar base is your oyster!
• I prefer to use maple syrup in these bars as they tend to make them less sweet, but you can use honey. My FAV new syrup is anything from Runamok, it's worth it for the price.

• You will want a ripe banana and when smashing your banana I just use a good ol' fashion fork to get it into small chunks (about pea sized, if you have a couple bigger chunks that's OK!).
• Another swap you can make is if you wish to use a milk alternative for the mixture, just use what you like and you do you!
• I use vanilla bean paste in all of my baking, I think it just heightens the flavor that much more. If you do too I would use slightly less paste than you would a typical extract.
• Let the bars cool before cutting, but not too long otherwise they will crumble (don't you love this part of recipes, like what the heck does that mean?). These also last really well in the fridge for up to a week!

RECIPE:                                                                               

Serving Size: Approximately 8 bars (sized 4x1)

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup protein powder, vanilla recommended (but I have used chocolate and it is just as delicious)
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup almond butter (peanut butter or any other nut butter works too!)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (Runamok) or honey
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  

1. Preheat the oven to 350F positioning a rack in on the lower middle position. Grease an 8x8 baking pan and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, walnuts, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine.
3. In another bowl, mash up the banana. Add in the almond butter, maple syrup, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until well incorporated.
4. Pour wet mixture into the bowl of the dry ingredients. Fold ingredients until full combined. Scrape the batter (I suggest using a rubber spatula for this) into a greased baking pan. Grab a sheet of parchment paper (if none available can just press down with your hands) and press the mixture evenly into pan, using a firm pressure to compress the bars into the desired thickness.
5. Bake 15 - 18 minutes, or until edges turn golden brown and the center is still soft. Let cool in pan and slice the bars. Snack and enjoy!