Your 10:00am energy boost has arrived. 10am on a weekday is that odd time of day where lunch is still a long ways off but you need something to fill the stomach void. Most people I work with just down their second (or third) coffee of the day and keep going until lunch.

That blows my mind. If I don't at least have a snack I'll completely fall apart. I start getting the shakes, my brain stops working, it's not pretty.

This is an issue for my Paleo or Healthy-minded people, because finding easy, portable snacks while on the move is difficult. Sure you can eat an apple or avocado, but I need something a little more filling.

So, I present to you the Paleo Energy bar. It's a sweet, chewy bar absolutely packed full of pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, coconut, roasted cocoa, almonds, and pecans, drizzled with honey and coconut oil.

And it's GOOD. Like, really good. Better then any store bought granola/energy bar. Promise.

Remember making Rice Krispie squares as a kid??

My mom would make these treats all the time for us kids, followed by destructive sugar rushes. This is actually the same thing, minus the sugar rush. Just instead of cereal, you're adding loads of the healthy stuff like seeds and nuts. And instead of marshmallows to hold everything together you're gunna use honey and coconut oil.

Don't worry, I wont destroy your childhood memories. These bars are so awesome that you'll want to keep making them.

They also store beautifully and for long periods of time, so I personally have a dozen of these pre-made and ready to go at any given time.

For Storage:
Keep these bars nice and cool, so in the fridge or if you have a lunch bag make sure you keep an ice pack or something cold in there. Once the honey warms up these bars will crumble. Had it happen. Still ate it though and it was delicious, but just fair warning 🙂

Use Parchment paper or Wax paper to separate or wrap each bar. They get sticky.

No Limits!

Now after you make these you're probably wonder: "But Nicole, can't I have raisins, dark chocolate, cashews.. etc??"  YEP!  Get it in there! There is pretty much no limit to this recipe.

The secret is just to chop whatever is you want in there into small pieces. Or throw everything in a food processor and give it a few pulses. Big chunks don't stick together well.

Pro Tip: Try Dark Chocolate chunks in this bar, it's a power anti-oxidant, full of minerals, and has a large list of health benefits.

Paleo/Gluten Free "Granola" Energy and Nut Bars

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time
10 Min	15 Min	25 Min

Ingredients

Print Recipe

Makes 10 Bars

• 1 cup almonds, chopped
• 2/3 cup pecans, chopped
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut, shredded
• 1/3 cup cocoa nibs
• 2/3 cup pumpkin seeds
• 4 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
  

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix together the almonds, pecans, coconut, cocoa nibs, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and sesame seeds in a bowl.
3. In another bowl whisk together the honey and coconut oil.
4. Pour the oil and honey mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is coated evenly and the ingredients are well combined. 
5. Spoon the mixture into a small baking dish or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Press down on the mixture to compress and create a smooth, even surface. Mixture should be about 1/2" thick.
7. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until set. Remove from oven and let cool.
8. Once cool, place in the Fridge for an hour or until bars are hard. Can also place in freezer.
   
9. Remove the parchment paper from the cookie sheet and place on a flat surface. Cut the mixture into 10 equal sized bars using a Pizza cutter or sharp knife.
   

Tip:  Keep these bars refrigerated or cool at all times. If they get too warm the bars will fall apart much easier.

Tip #2: If the mixture doesn't completely fill your baking sheet, simply press the mixture down into one half of the sheet and leave the other half empty. Alternatively, you can double up the portion and fill a full baking sheet for even more bars.

Nutritional Facts (Per Bar)

calories	fat	carbs	sugar	protein	sodum
302	23g	22.6g	15g	6.1g	3mg