These maca protein bars are the perfect homemade protein bar. Unlike some conventional bars, they don't have any preservatives or unnecessary junk. They are full of nutritious ingredients and superfoods, but taste like you are having a chocolatey, peanut butter dessert.

What you will need

To make these maca protein bars, you will need: oats, chia seeds, ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, agave, natural peanut butter, plant based protein powder (I recommend using chocolate), maca powder, cacao powder, cacao nibs, vanilla, a couple of tablespoons of dairy free milk, and dark chocolate.

I know that sounds like a whole lot of ingredients. But each one has its own awesome health benefit or adds to the flavor of the bars. However, if you are missing one of the superfoods and can't seem to find it in any stores, you can just leave it out.

Making the maca protein bars

To make the bars, all you need to do is combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. You will get a pretty thick mixture. Add 2-3 tablespoons of dairy free milk- just enough so that the ingredients blend together, but you don't want to make the mixture to become too runny. Add as little as you can add for the ingredients to be able to combine well.

To finish the bars, you will need a shallow baking dish that is not too large. An 8x8 or 9x9 square glass Pyrex dish works great. I'll include a visual below.

Transfer the maca protein bar mixture into the baking dish. You will need to press it down with your fingers or a spatula to flatten and even out the bars.

Final touches

Finally, melt some dark chocolate. You can do this by breaking it up into small pieces and microwaving it for 30 second increments. Then add your melted dark chocolate to a ziplock baggie and cut off a tiny hole at the end of one of the corners. Drizzle chocolate on top of the bars.

Refrigerate the bars for about an hour. Then take them out, cut them up and enjoy!

For more healthy and nutrition packed recipes like these maca protein bars, try these chocolate protein balls!