No Bake Gingerbread Protein Cereal Bars

Recently I posted No Bake Gingerbread Cereal Bars, these are the other “pumped up” version. Instead of being hard and like a oat granola bar these are chewy and have protein, plus greens if using Vega! Sounds like a win to me. Things are really crazy around here still with the remodel and we need to keep up with our nutrition, having a kitchen or not, especially with everything going on, the stress of the holiday season, and the cold and flu bugs going around. Any way to get some added greens and vitamins in as well as trying to still enjoying some “holiday” treats is what I’m all over. I’m not too stressed this time of year, well unless you ask my husband. We usually have our tree and decorations up, cookies in the oven, holiday music playing, lights twinkling, and I’m checking my lists and menu planning as we host Christmas. Instead it is pounding or the sounds of power tools, no tree, no cookies, no lights, and menu planning well I’m hoping things line up and the kitchen is put back together, there is still a tree on the lot, and the new furniture comes so we aren’t sitting on blankets on the floor. This year I am even more thankful for what we do have and while I am stressed I am thinking about those who don’t have what we typically have going on in our house this time of year and wanting to give and do even more even though I am stretched so thin with time. So tunes will be turned on in the car, we will enjoy the sounds of bells ringing and coins dropping in red buckets, giving more, and keeping up with all the stress by fueling out bodies with healthy seasonal treats.
So these bars… quick, easy, and great for a quick breakfast or snack. I like to make them ahead and keep them in the freezer and pull them out when we want them or before placing them in the girls lunchboxes.

No Bake Gingerbread Protein Cereal Bars
Makes a 9×9 or 8×8 pan, 16 bars
3c bran flake cereal
1c oat flour* (ground up Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Oats to flour)
1/2c vanilla protein powder (used Vega Vanillla Protein and Greens)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
3/4c Wild Friends Gingerbread Peanut Butter
3/4c maple syrup

*To make without protein powder use 3/4 oat flour in place of protein or a little more if too sticky and you want a drier firmer texture.

Line a 8×8 or 9×9 pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl combine cereal and oat flour. In a large bowl mix together protein powder, vanilla extract, salt, nut butter, and maple syrup until smooth. Stir the cereal mixture into the wet mixture and mix until well combine. If using other cereal adjust as needed if too wet. Place in the refrigerator or freezer to harden before cutting into bars. Store bars in the fridge, or freezer for longer storage. Enjoy!
Oh yes No Bake Gingerbread Protein Cereal Bars are perfect for this fit foodie, and the kids too! @VegaTeam @2wildfriends #SweatPink #FoodieFriday Share on X

While I do receive some Vega products from time to time, which I listed as an option in this recipe, I do purchase much of it on my own. It has been my plant-based protein of choice since before I started blogging. Even though most Vega products used are purchased by myself I do add this disclaimer. I do not make any money off any Vega sales or posts. I only write about foods I love, my blog is an extension of my hobby to make fun healthy food creations for me and my family.