No-Bake Protein Bars

INGREDIENTS

• 2¼ cups almond meal (or 3 cups almonds, ground)
• ½ cup shredded coconut flakes (if you are allergic, you may use shredded oats or puffed cereal).
• ½ cup protein powder of choice (or 60 g) – see notes for alternatives.
• pinch of cocoa powder or cinnamon, optional
• pinch of sea salt
• ¼ to ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
• ⅓ cup hot water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• topping of choice (all optional) 1/4 cup granola, fruit, dried fruit or nuts
• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips to melt with 1 tsp coconut oil or clarified butter

PREPARATION

1. Line an 8×8 square pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Combine almond meal and coconut in a food processor and grind together until fine mixture is formed. Pour into large mixing bowl and add the remaining dry ingredients. Grinding the almond meal and coconut is optional, so if you don’t have a food processor or blender, that’s fine! Instead, mix dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Just make sure the coconut you use is finely shredded.
3. Mix well. Texture will vary, just slightly.
4. In a separate small mixing bowl. combine maple syrup or honey, hot water, and vanilla extract. Stir all together and add to your dry ingredients..
5. Mix well with wooden spoon or hands. If the batter gets too thick, just add more hot water or even a little honey. If it’s too wet, add more protein powder or flour of choice.
6. Press batter into a baking dish. Feel free to press any fresh fruit or dried fruit on top. Skip if you prefer. (See notes for best fruit choices).
7. Next melt your dark chocolate chips. Place dark chocolate in a bowl with 1 tsp coconut oil. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30 seconds, until mixture is melted and glossy. This may be done on the stove top as well.
8. Pour the melted chocolate over the bars and spread evenly. Sprinkle with sea salt. Let bars cool in fridge for 30 minutes then cut into 9 to 12 squares (you choose the size).
9. Keep refrigerated.

NOTES

• Texture varies depending on which protein powder you use, and taste may be a little different, so adjust sweetener and water accordingly.
• If you want to add fruit before the chocolate layer, I recommend using just thin slices of a low water content fruit or sliced berries. They will make the bars a little more moist at room temperature but still delicious! Dried fruit or crushed nuts work just as great and add texture!
• If you don’t have protein powder, you may use ground flax, oat flour, peanut powder, or even chickpea flour. Adjust water and maple syrup as needed to help them stick.

( cottercrunch.com )

-- JMag Guthrie - 2020-01-19