Hey Guys! Today my friend Jess Dalliday is back from The Healthy Sweet Potato Blog with an amazing homemade protein bar recipe! I made them last week and trust me they are a winner- aka they are already long gone! I actually used muffin pan instead of a baking tray and they worked out great (and fooled me into thinking I was eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup!). Take it away Jess!

Grain-Free Almond Butter Protein Bars

Super easy, healthy no-bake grain-free vegan protein bars. Enjoy them as a filling snack or as a healthy dessert. The chocolate is optional but recommended

They don’t require much work at all and once you taste them, you’ll find it hard to believe that they’re actually healthy!

Chocolate-Almond-Butter-Protein-Bars-Closeup-tray-1.jpg

I created these bars because I am always looking for new protein bar/ball snacks that are gluten-free and grain-free.

Don’t get me wrong I love my gluten-free grains, but sometimes it’s nice to switch it up!

Ok, well onto the recipe. If you are trying to cut down on your sugar intake, you can totally make this recipe without the chocolate, or just drizzle a little bit on and it will still taste great!

Enjoy!

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Total Time: 30 min

Base

3/4 cup pitted dates
3/4 cup almond flour
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
2 tbsp vanilla protein powder
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tsp raw local honey or maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extrat
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp peanut butter (or more almond butter)
1/4 tsp sea salt

Chocolate Coating (optional)

6-8 baking squares semi-sweet or dark chocolate
2 tbsp coconut oil

Instructions

Place all of the "Base" ingredients in a food processor and process on high until a dough formsLine a small baking tray with parchment paper and press the dough into it
Place the bars in the freezer for 20 minutes
If using the chocolate coating, melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a double boiler
Once melted pull the bars out of the freezer and cover with chocolate
Place bars back in freezer for another 10-15 minutes until chocolate has hardened
Cut and serve immediately or store in freezer for up to a month (if they last that long!)