Homemade Protein Bars

• 2 cups almonds
• 1/4 cup flax seeds 
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup dried prunes, dates or raisins
• ½ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup coconut oil (melted)
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup 
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 bag of chocolate chips melted in a small saucepan for the topping

1. Place almonds, flax meal, seeds, dried fruit, shredded coconut, almond/peanut butter and salt in a food processor. 
2. Pulse briefly for about 10 seconds. 
3. In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil over very low heat. 
4. Remove coconut oil from stove, stir sweeteners and vanilla into oil. 
5. Add coconut oil mixture to food processor and pulse until ingredients form a coarse paste. 
6. Press mixture into an 8 x 8 glass baking dish. 
7. Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour, until mixture hardens. 
8. In a small saucepan, melt chocolate over very low heat, stirring continuously. 
9. Spread melted chocolate over bars; return to refrigerator for 30 minutes, until chocolate hardens. 
10. Remove from refrigerator, cut into bars and serve. 
11. Makes about 12-15 bars. 
12. Store in refrigerator or freeze for later enjoyment!

Adapted from Passionate Homemaking