These have quickly become one of my favorite on the go snacks, breakfast bars in a pinch, or a healthy little treat after dinner, especially when I add some chocolate chips in the mix. They are so easy to make, super healthy, and surprisingly filling from the combination of the collagen peptides, peanut butter, and the oats. I've been making a big batch in the beginning of the week and storing them in my freezer! One of the best thing about them is, if you are allergic to peanut butter you can easily sub it out for sunflower seed butter! You can also add anything really to the mix you want as long as you have the ratio down- you are good to go! 

If you are coming here for the first time you are probably wondering what collagen peptides is, but this is my third recipe that I have used the ingredient! I used it here in my maca almond butter banana bread and here in my dark chocolate avocado pudding. I also use it every single day in my smoothies and when I made my chia puddings. The powder is an amazing way to add protein to your diet, just 2 scoops has 18 grams! Also, it is great for improving digestion because it helps heal your digestive track. I have noticed huge difference after incorporating this into my diet every single day since I suffer from leaky gut and SIBO. Another benefit? It keeps your hair and nails strong and helps strengthen your hair! Who doesn't want that! The best thing?! There is no taste when you add it to you recipes, so you will get all these great benefits without some weird funky taste! I highly recommend the brand Vital Proteins !

My other favorite things in the recipe besides the peanut butter and the maca powder, is the Philosophie superfood honey! It has the healing benefits of manuka honey and has antibiotic properties too! This particular honey is filled with acai, maca, pomegranate. mangosteen, camu-camu, and goji!

Between the collagen powder and the honey, your gut is going to be very happy after eating these bars!  They only take about ten minutes to prepare and I bet you most of the ingredients on hand at all times! They are the perfect balance between salty, sweet, and just a bit crunchy. 

Snack/Dessert/Breakfast bar
Yields: 8-10 bars (9in x 5in pan)
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes + (to settle in the freezer) 

Ingredients:

1 + 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup honey (I used, Philosophie Berry Bee Honey)*
2 scoops Vital Proteins collagen peptides  
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. maca powder
3 cups gluten free rolled oats
1-2 dashes of cinnamon
2 pinches of sea salt
3 tbsp. chia seeds

*You may need to add more honey if the mixture is completely sticking together. I opted to add PB instead. I would suggest adding another 1/4 cup of honey only if needed.

Additional add- ins:
Chocolate chips
Cacao nibs
Shredded coconut
Chopped dates

Directions: 

1. Line a 9 in x 5 in pan with parchment paper and set aside. 

2. Melt together the vanilla, peanut butter, and honey over low heat in a small saucepan. 

3. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, collagen peptides, maca powder, cinnamon, sea salt, chia seeds and any additional add-ins. 

4. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and combine. It may be easier to combine the two with your hands. At this point you can taste test and see if you need to add any additional ingredients. 

5. Spread the mixture into the prepared loaf pan and place in the freezer so it can harden. 

After about 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight!) I cut mine into long bars and then kept them in the freezer since they will last longer!