High-Protein Plant-Based Snack Bars

#### Instructions:

1. **Prepare the Dry Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, plant-based protein powder, chia seeds, and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.

2. **Blend the Wet Ingredients**: In a separate bowl, mash the chickpeas until smooth (a food processor works great for this). Add the peanut butter (or almond butter), maple syrup (if using), vanilla extract, and chopped dates. Mix until everything is well incorporated.

3. **Combine**: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is sticky. If the mixture feels too dry, add a little more peanut butter or a splash of water to reach the desired consistency.

4. **Press and Set**: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish or a square pan with parchment paper. Press the mixture firmly into the pan, ensuring it’s evenly spread out.

5. **Chill**: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours to allow the bars to set. This helps them firm up and makes them easier to slice.

6. **Slice and Enjoy**: Once the bars have chilled, remove them from the pan and cut into squares or rectangles. Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

### Tips for Customizing Your Bars

– **Add-ins**: Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients like dried fruits (cranberries, raisins, or apricots), dark chocolate chips, or shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.
– **Sweetness**: Adjust the level of sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup or using other natural sweeteners like coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener.
– **Protein Boost**: If you’re looking for even more protein, you can increase the amount of plant-based protein powder or add a scoop of your favorite plant-based collagen or BCAA supplement.

### Conclusion

High-protein plant-based snack bars are a convenient and nutritious way to support your active lifestyle while sticking to a plant-based diet. Packed with wholesome, nourishing ingredients, these bars provide sustained energy, muscle repair, and a satisfying snack without any animal products. By making them at home, you can customize the flavors and ingredients to suit your personal taste and nutritional needs. So, grab your ingredients and get baking – your body (and taste buds) will thank you!