No Carb, Energy Bar...

So starting in November, I have decided to cut way back on carbs. No, not NO carbs, but eating good, fibrous carbs and leaving out the starchy, high GI carbs, such as grains, oats, potatoes. It's along the lines of the Paleo diet, which pretty much consist of meats, fresh veggies, berries and nuts.

So when I wanted to make an energy bar last night, I had to find a recipe with no oats. I checked out Marks Daily Apple and found this great recipe! 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup pecans ( I used cashews)
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup almond butter (although cashew, hazelnut, walnut and even pumpkin butters will work well too!)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond meal (simply pulse approximately 1/4 cup of almonds until it creates a coarse flour)
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of raw honey (although, this is really kind of optional because the egg will help hold the mixture together)
1/2 cup unsweetened whey protein powder (or 60g)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries or blueberries (didn't have any, so used dark chocolate chips instead)
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut to sprinkle on top

Method:

1. On a cookie sheet, toast nuts and shredded coconut until golden brown. In order for them to cook evenly, you need to shake up the tray at least once during cooking…trust us!
2. Once toasted, pour mixture into a food processor and pulse until nuts are chopped and the mixture becomes coarsely ground (sort of the consistency of bread crumbs).
3. In a mixing bowl, melt coconut oil and almond butter (about 30 seconds). Remove from microwave and stir until smooth.
4. Add vanilla extract, honey and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.
5. Fold in nut mixture, almond meal and protein powder until mixed thoroughly.
6. Add whole egg and mix thoroughly.
7. Fold in blueberries/cranberries.
8. Press mixture into an 8 by 8 loaf pan (a modification that we made to keep everything crisper and help the bars to hold together).
9. Cook in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 10 minutes.
10. Remove from oven, sprinkle a ¼ cup of shredded coconut on top and place under broiler until top begins to brown. ( I didn't add the coconut to the top)
11. Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Cut into 12 pieces/bars.
12. Enjoy or stack on wax paper/parchment and store in an airtight container.

**The only thing I would change next time is maybe use less coconut oil. I do like the taste of coconut, but it seemed a bit overpowering. But these are absolutely yummy!! Of course next time I plan to try the dried fruit!

Have a favorite healthy recipe you want to share? Send me an email at angie@fitchickexpress.com and I will share it with all the Fit Chicks!