Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest Bars

After yesterday's post kicking off our Healthy Habits Challenge, I thought I would share my favorite after workout snack. I've had my best results at the gym if I eat 30-45 minutes after a hard workout and fill my belly with a high protein mixed with carbohydrates to help build muscle and replenish glycogen stores (or energy). Quest bars are fit this in just about every way.  They are low in sugar (advertised at around 3g per protein bar!) and they taste incredible. Though I do love the bars, I try to replicate everything at home as best I can so I know exactly what is going in them. Here is my version of the protein bar.

Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Quest Bars
6 SERVINGS 
PREP: 10 minutes           REFRIGERATE: 30 minutes            READY IN: 40 minutes

SIMPLE	HEALTHY	YUM

INGREDIENTS

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• 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder (I use Plant Fusion)
• 1/4 cup organic creamy peanut butter (you could also use sun butter, cashew butter, or almond butter)
• 1/2 cup of agave nectar (honey would work too, or a few tsp of stevia -if you choose to use stevia, you will need more water)
• 1/4 cup Oat Flour (or ground flax seed)
• 2 tablespoons water (depending on what sweetener you use, you will need more or less water)
• 1/4 cup 60% cacao chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

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1. In a medium sized bowl, mixed together protein powder, peanut butter, agave nectar, oat flour. Mix together
2. Add in water. Mix.
3. Add in cacao chips. Mix.
4. Line 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper. Press down mixture evenly and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Cut into 6 equal size bars. Wrap in tin foil and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

NUTRITION FACTS

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    1 bar    232 calories   7.7g fat   29.4g carbs    13.9g protein    23.4g sugar   

Though the sugar content isn't exactly the same as the real deal, using all real ingredients in my very own kitchen should count for something. :) I think this amount could be reduced by using Stevia, or a different natural sweetener. Let me know if you try different varieties that work and let's see if they come out better with the nutrition facts.

Recipe from Sweet Cheetah.