Almond Chocolate Protein Bars - FIXATE Style

My husband loves sweets.....BUT they have to be healthy....AND taste delicious!  He's also always looking to get more protein in his diet, because he lifts weights.  So, for quick protein on the go, he buys protein bars. But then I told him to look at the sugar content!!  Either the bars are loaded with sugar, or contain artificial sweeteners.

When I found these protein bars in the FIXATE cookbook, and made them, they met all his requirements: sweet, protein filled, healthy, clean ingredients, and taste delicious!!  Another plus: no cooking!!

Autumn Calabrese, the creator of 21 Day Fix and 21 Day Fix Extreme, wrote a cookbook called FIXATE. The greatest feature of this cookbook: It gives the container equivalents for each recipe!

These protein bars are gluten free, and sugar free, and I've enjoyed one every afternoon with a cup of coffee.

Makes 16 square bars
Prep Time: 15 min. Cooking Time: None!! You just put them in the freezer!

CONTAINER EQUIVALENTS (per serving)
1/2 Yellow
1/2 Red

INGREDIENTS
1 cup oat flour, gluten-free
1 cup whey protein powder, vanilla flavor
1 cup almond flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1 cup all natural almond butter
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, (melt for 30 seconds in microwave, take out and stir, melt for another 30 seconds in microwave, take out and stir - continue process until completely melted).

DIRECTIONS

1. Line 8x8 inches baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. Place oat flour, protein powder, almond flour and salt in food processor; pulse to mix.
3. Add almond butter and extract; pusle for 1 minute, or until crumbly.
4. Add almond milk; pulse for 1 minute or until mixture forms soft dough.
5. Press dough into prepared pan. Smooth top with spatula.
6. Freeze, covered for 15 minutes.
7. Remove from freezer and pour melted chocolate over protein bars, and spread evenly.
8. Freeze for 10 minutes until chocolate sets.
9. Cut into 16 squares 2x2 inches each.
10. Store in freezer for up to one week in airtight container.

TIPS:
I used Sun Warrior- Warrior Blend Raw Vegan Protein in Vanilla for the protein powder. It's soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy free, AND sugar free.  So, I added 1/4 cup stevia powder to the mix and a few more drops of almond milk.  You could also add 1/4 cup of honey to sweeten it, if you're using a protein powder without sweetener.

You can substitute almond butter with peanut butter, cashew butter, or to make it nut-free, use sunflower seed butter.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Calories: 182 (per 1 square)
Total Fat 13 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Cholesterol 17 mg
Sodium 122 mg
Carbohydrates 11 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugars 3 g
Protein 8 g