Easy NO-COOK German Chocolate PROTEIN BARS for Early Morning Energy

Discover a perfect combination of dates, oats, cocoa, coconut and pecans in this new, improved & healthier German Chocolate Protein Bar recipe. No cooking required!

TIP: Make a big batch of these popular “No-Cook” German Chocolate Protein Bars for breakfast, and then store them in the fridge for up to 5 days (or in the freezer for a month … but they’ll never last that long!)

This recipe is a “keeper” for several reasons! First of all it’s vegan, so you can share with all of your friends … including those who follow a strict diet. And then, because no cooking is required, these Protein Bars are easy to prepare and all of the natural ingredients retain lots of healthy nutrients and flavor that would otherwise disappear in the oven. “Raw” is good!

Sarah originally created this great recipe several years ago, and has added some tweaks and improvements since then. You can plan on a prep time of approximately 20 minutes to make a dozen German Chocolate Protein Bars with this new, improved recipe. Then it’s best to put them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to let them firm up before eating.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
 

• 1 cup oats
• 1⁄2 cup vegan protein powder (I used soy)
• 1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and soaked for 30 minutes 1⁄2 cup + 1⁄4 cup chopped pecans, divided
• 1⁄2 cup + 1⁄4 cup shredded coconut, divided
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• water as needed (up to 1⁄4 cup)
• 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips

Follow these simple instructions to make a batch of healthy German Chocolate Protein Bars:
 
 

1. In a food processor grind up the oats until they are a fine flour. Add protein and cocoa powders and blend again until well combined.

2. Drain and rinse the dates then add them to the food processor along with 1⁄2 cup of pecans, 1⁄2 cup of shredded coconut, vanilla, and salt. Blend again, adding a little water at a time, until a dough forms.

3. Transfer dough to a bowl, stir in the remaining 1⁄4 cup of pecans and coconut along with 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips.

4. Scrape dough onto a piece of parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Cover with another piece of parchment paper and roll the bars out to about 1⁄2 inch, shaping into a square as you roll.

5. Place the bars in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, allowing them to firm up before cutting into 12 equal pieces.

6. Store in refrigerator for 5 days or a month in the freezer.

If you would like to see more healthy recipes for early morning energy, then please Like our Facebook Page!

Source: Sarah McMinn