Vegan Protein-Packed Granola Bars

Are you ready for a healthy, protein friendly snack that tastes so good? This is a homemade protein bar full of natural ingredients. Instead of paying up to three dollars per bar at the supermarket, I wanted to make a homemade, organic and flavor packed version. I used my new bar pan. You can also use an oiled 9" x 9" baking pan.

Add your favorite flavors. I chose cashew nut butter, but you can incorporate almond, peanut or soy nut butter. There are so many choices also when it comes to you dried fruits. Enjoy!! Store in an airtight container or freeze for a snack at a later time. This is a perfect snack to bring along for a hike, beach trip or picnic.

Ingredients
-3/4 cup cooked quinoa
-2/3 cup non-dairy milk such as rice, soy, almond milk (I used vanilla soy milk)
-2/3 cup nut butter (I used cashew butter)
-1/2 cup agave nectar
-3 to 4 tablespoons of grape seed oil (you can also use vegetable oil)
-2 tablespoons maple syrup
-2 teaspoons vanilla or almond extract
-1 3/4 cups steel cut oats
-1/2 cup flour
-1/2 cup soy protein powder
-1/4 cup wheat germ (optional)
-1/4 cup ground flax seed (optional)
-1 teaspoon sea salt
-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
-cinnamon, to taste (optional)
-3/4 cup sliced almonds
-1/2 to 1 cup raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries or other mix-ins
-1/2 cup sunflower seeds

Directions:
1. Preheat Your oven to 325 degrees

2: Bowl 1: In one bowl mix together non-dairy milk, nut butter, agave, grape seed or vegetable oil, maple syrup, and vanilla or almond extract.
Tip: It may help to heat up the nut butter to make it easier to blend.

3: Bowl 2: Sift together the dry ingredients in a large bowl (steel cut oats, flour, protein powder, wheat germ , flax seed, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon). Mix in with the wet ingredients. Fold in cooked quinoa, almonds, dried fruits, and sunflower seeds.

4. Spoon into an oiled 9" x 9" baking pan, and press down uniformly (having wet hands makes this easier). Or you can spray your bar baking pan.

5. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes. Cut into 12 equal bars, let cool, and enjoy anytime!