Energy Bars

By 1For_Him

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 12 medjool dates (pitted)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 2 tablespoons flax meal
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• water
• (May need something else that is sticky to hold it together more - seems to fall apart easily. Maybe honey?

Details

Adapted from calmhealthysexy.com

Preparation

Step 1

Line an 8x8 pan with foil or parchment and set aside. Combine almonds, oats, dates (pitted), and coconut oil in a food processor and pulse 6-8 times. Add coconut, flax meal, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix until all of the ingredients are finely chopped and they begin to come together in a sticky mass. Add chocolate chips. (You can add them earlier or later in the process, depending on whether you want them chopped or nearly whole in your bars.

Test the mixture with your fingers to make sure it holds together easily. If it doesn't, add a tablespoon of water at a time, mixing well after each addition, until it does. (Err on the side of less water if you're unsure about the consistency.) Transfer the mixture to the lined pan and spread it evenly. Then press it down firmly with your fingers. To make the top smoother and flatter, finish pressing it with the back of a spatula.

Refrigerate the pan of energy bars for about an hour. When chilled, take them out of the refrigerator and remove the foil or parchment from the pan. Cut into squares or bars using a pizza cutter or large knife. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container (or freeze for later use).
Notes

The beauty of these homemade energy bars is that you can create your own version, adapting them to suit almost any taste. The key ingredients are the almonds, oats, dates and coconut oil. Once you add those, you can play with the other ingredients, deleting ones you don't like or have on hand and adding others you do.