So about last night … I made a thing. Well, a couple of things.

Chocolatey-chewy-cherry-protein-packed … things.

And did I mention they’re gluten-free, dairy-free and low in sugar? Oh ya, that too 🙂

I’ve been trying to go more gluten-free these days due to some GI issues. Over the weekend, while up in Maine, my mom picked me up a copy of Gluten-Free & More. Chock-full of recipe, Q+A’s and recipe substitutions, I found myself nose deep in the g-free pages.

I stumbled upon this recipe and with what I had in my pantry, decided to tweak it slightly. These are a no-brainer, no-bake, easy-peasy bar option that trumps anything processed you’ll find in the supermarket.

Chocolate Cherry Protein Bars | Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free

recipe modified from Gluten Free & More

Ingredients:

• 1 C gluten-free rice cereal
• 1/2 gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 packet of chocolate protein powder (1.2-1.6 ou) — I used GF/dairy-free
• 1/4 C mini chocolate chips
• 1/3 C dried cherries
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 C smooth peanut butter (reduced sodium or unsalted, preferred)
• 1/4 C honey
• 1/4 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Directions:

1. Line an 8×8 in pan with foil and spray or rub with coconut oil to prevent bars from sticking.
2. In a large bowl mix the first 6 ingredients.
3. In a small bowl mix the PB and honey and microwave for 20 seconds. Stir in vanilla extract and milk.
4. Pour warm PB mixture over dry ingredients and stir until incorporated.
5. Press dough into pan and refrigerate at least 30 min before cutting.
6. ENJOY!

-TTT