Raw Cacao Protein Bars

Most of us enjoy a good protein bar before or after a workout, as a mid-day snack, or even as dessert, right? It's so convenient to buy protein bars at the grocery store, and while there are a few brands that have real ingredients and no additives, I'm still a big fan of making my own!

This homemade protein bar includes just a few ingredients and is easily customizable (add or remove what doesn't work for you)!

Here's what you'll need:
- Any protein powder : I use plant-based vanilla protein (such as Aloha Moment, Sunwarrior Classic Blend, MRM USA, or Julian Bakery, all of which are organic and do not have any sugar or additives)
- Nut Butter
- Cacao Powder
- Cacao Nibs
- Light flour : Almond flour, coconut flour, tigernut powder

Why I love these bars? They are filling, light, creamy, and they contain only real ingredients (assuming you use a high quality protein powder). Not to mention, they taste like cookie batter :)

Makes: appx 8 bars
Time: 10 active minutes

Ingredients

• 1 scoop protein powder of choice (I used Aloha Moment Vanilla Plant Protein)
• 1/4 cup creamy nut butter (I used creamy almond butter)
• 2 TBSP light grain & gluten - free flour (i.e. almond, coconut, garbanzo, tigernut powder - must be a flour that can be consumed raw)
• 2 TBSP cacao powder
• 1/2 TBSP Coconut Oil
• 1 - 2 TBSP nut / coconut milk (adds to the creaminess texture - think Perfect Bar but plant-based)
• dash of sea salt
• 1-2 TBSP cacao nibs

Directions

1. In a food processor or blender, add all ingredients and blend until thick dough-like consistency (if the texture is too dry, add small increments of nut milk, if it's too wet like batter, add small increments of flour)
2. Lightly oil a baking pan (I used a bread loaf pan) with coconut oil
3. Spread the mixture evenly through the pan
4. Top with cacao nibs
5. Refrigerate for 30 - 40 minutes (or longer) until firm
6. Cut into bars and re-store in the fridge for up to 1 week

Enjoy!!