Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

Chocolate Chips. No, they are not paying me, but I only use Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips. They are way more delicious and way less full of the weird, fake ingredients that greatly lower my enjoyment of food. These babies are expensive at some stores but they are affordable at Target and frequently on sale. 

If you get something else, get a good kind. They make all the difference. Plus these bars do not have a ton of sugar like cookies so the chips have an even more important job to do.

Preheat oven to 325*

Here's what you need:

• Vanilla- 1t
• Eggs- 1 Whole, 2 Whites
• Brown Sugar- 0.5C
• Natural Peanut Butter- 1C
• Water- 1/2-1C   Make it good water you would put in a glass and drink
• Coconut Flakes- 1 C 
• Chopped Nuts- 0.5     Pecans/Walnuts/Almonds/Peanuts whatever you like
• Whole Oats- 2C
• Quinoa- 2C    Ground but not fully flour 
• Flaxseed- 0.5 C        If you have it or care to add it
• Chocolate Chips-  1.5 bags

Combine wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl

Mix in dry ingredients save ch. chips

Once all is well combined, add the chips
Start small with the water, add a more water as needed to get to a very thick cookie dough consistency.  

Plop mix onto large greased baking dish. I use 11x14. 

Spread it around and smash evenly into all corners of the pan creating a giant flat cookie.

*Hint: I wet the palm of my hand to keep the mix from sticking.

Bake for 10-15 Minutes, let cool completely, cut into squares

Once cooked, cut and and enjoy, I freeze about half the bars in sandwich bags and use them as needed for snacks and packed lunches :)

Edit:
Change up the type of nuts or try adding dried fruit instead of chips.
I sometimes ad a couple scoops of protein powder for even more protein.