Almond Coconut Bars (Protein)

These Almond Coconut Protein Bars are nutty, satisfying, lightly sweetened and also include mini chocolate chips. They're gluten-free and sweetened with honey.

⅔ cup vanilla whey protein powder
¾ cup almond butter
2 Tbsp. + ½ tsp. coconut oil, separated
4 Tbsp. pure honey
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
¼ tsp. sea salt
3 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
3 Tbsp. mini chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. dark chocolate chips

Line an 8½x4½" bread pan with parchment paper or foil. Make sure to leave an overhang with the parchment paper/foil and set aside.

In a saucepan, add the almond butter, 2 Tbsp. of the coconut oil and honey. Simmer, stir until smooth and combined. Remove from the heat, add in the vanilla extract, salt, vanilla protein powder, coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Stir until everything is combined and you have a thick dough. Press that dough into the prepared bread pan. Cover the bars and chill for one hour in the fridge.

Remove from the fridge and using the overhang, pull the bars from the bread pan. Cut the bars into 10-12 individual bars.

For the Chocolate Drizzle:
To add the chocolate drizzle, combine the chocolate chips and remaining ½ tsp. coconut oil in a double boiler. Stir until the chocolate is smooth. Transfer the chocolate to a ziplock bag and cut off the tip of the bag. Drizzle the chocolate over the bars and allow to set up at room temperature.