Apri-coco-walnut Energy Bars

Dried apricots are never my go-to snack. Like never.

Ahem, dates are so so so much better.

But hey, team it up with coconut and walnuts? And whip them into cute little fun-sized energy bars to pick me up in the afternoon? And make them taste like those artificial apricot squares sold in the shops when it's actually made of unprocessed and unrefined all-natural nutritious ingredients?

Umm .. you had me at hello.

Today's post shall be kept simple, just like this recipe which I am sharing in response to some of my dear Instagram followers' requests :)

Ingredients
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup walnuts
1/3 cup quinoa flakes (or rolled oats)
3 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tabelspoons raw honey
2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
Pinch of cinnamon

Method
1. In a food processor, chop the walnuts before adding in the dried apricots. Pulse for a few minutes until the two begin to blend together.
2. Add remaining ingredients and process until thoroughly combined. Add more coconut oil if the mixture is not dry enough.
3. Press mixture into a lined baking pan and refrigerate overnight, or if you're impatient like me, freeze for a couple of hours.
4. Slice into pieces/bars and eat!

Secret confession: 
My favourite part about making energy bars is slicing them into perfect - or not - squares and shapes.

Raw Coconut Cacao Protein Bars

I'll just keep this post simple rather than rant on. I basically spent my Thursday night making protein bars instead of studying so that I could wake up the next day excited about something - (achieved). 

These taste awesome. Don't be bogged down by all the different ingredients I used, the flavours that come through are actually quite minimal - a combination of chocolate/cacao, coconut and sesame seeds/tahini. The seeds and chunky cut almonds also give it a nice crunchy texture.

Ps. Maybe I just have a small stomach but I downed 3 of these today and I was actually stuffed for the rest of the evening (satiety effects of good fats + high protein).

COCONUT CACAO PROTEIN BARS
Yields: Not much .. only ~16x16cm square block bar.

Ingredients
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup chocolate protein powder
1/4 cup raw cacao powder (or replace with extra protein powder)
1/2 cup dates, chopped finely (not blended/processed)
1/8 cup chia seeds, (grounded if you prefer not to have it 'gritty like')
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup consisting chopped almonds
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup raw honey
3 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Method
1. Combine all ingredients together, if the mixture is too crumbly add more tahini or honey until you get a good 'dough' like consistency.
2. Press and flatten into a lined, rectangular dish and refrigerate overnight before slicing.
Enjoy :) 

The Gluttonous Nutritionist.