Almond Butter & Toasted Coconut Granola Bars with Chocolate

Ingredients

• 11/2 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup packed dates, pitted

• 1/3 cup almond butter (crunchy or creamy)

• 2 Tablespoons honey

• ¼ cup shredded coconut - unsweetened

• ¼ cup chia seeds

• ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds

• 3 ounces of semi sweet chocolate (about ½ cup) - melted

Cooking Directions

1. Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap and set aside.

2. Heat oven to 350 F. Place the oats on a baking sheet and toast for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes add the coconut and sesame seeds to the oats and toast for 7 –8 more minutes or until coconut and sesame seeds are golden brown.

3. In glass bowl microwave almond butter and honey to soften slightly.

4. In a food processor pulse the dates until they are reduced to small pieces and form a ball. Remove dates from the food processor and place them in a bowl. Add oats, coconut, sesame seeds and chia seeds. Stir to combine. Add softened almond butter mixture and stir well to evenly coat all of the ingredients.

5. Transfer mixture to the 8 x 8 pan. Spread evenly to about ½ inch using a piece of plastic underneath your hands to prevent sticking. Place pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or the freezer for 15 minutes until set.

6. Cut into 10 equal bars. Fill a small ziplock with melted chocolate and drizzle on top of each bar. Or spread the melted chocolate on ½ of each bar.

7. Bars are best served cold – store in the refrigerator or freezer.