VEGAN POWER BARS!

Ok, they are not really that intense. Well, maybe they are. These babies are my new favorite on-the-go snack and they have so much protein in them I bet they challenge those nasty protein bars those jacked-up kids from the gym munch on. Or something.

Vegan Protein Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cup cooked quinoa
• 2 cup raw oats
• 1/2 cup smooth nut butter (I used almond...but peanut butter would work too!)
  
• 1/2 cup milk substitute (I used almond milk)
  
• 1/3 cup agave (or honey, maple syrup, etc.)
  
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 cup each of some fun stuff, ie dried fruit, chocolate chips, diced nuts, anything you want!

Directions:

• preheat oven on 350F
• cook the quinoa! (about 1/2 cup dried quinoa equals 2 cups, but I also make extra to have for left overs.) Make sure the quinoa is cooked thoroughly and not too wet, otherwise the bars might have a weird texture.
  
• While the quinoa is cooling, assemble the other ingredients.
  
• Once the quinoa is cool enough to be handled with your hands, combine the ingredients in a 7x11 baking pan.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the top is starting to harden.

Once out of the oven I would recommend letting them cool in the fridge covered overnight so they firm up. After that, slice them up for an easy snack!