Chocolate Coconut No-Bake Protein Bars

Makes 8 large bars or 12-14 snack-size squares

Ingredients:
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup softened coconut butter
3-4 scoops of chocolate whey protein powder
3/4 - 1 cup water

NOTE: If you are using quick oats instead of old fashioned, you will require less water

Directions:
Line a square baking dish with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, add water to 3/4 cup of water to the oats, stir, and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes so the oats absorb the water.

Add the protein powder and coconut butter to the mixture. With clean hands, kneed the batter until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture becomes moist and doughy. (I found it helps to roll it all into a big, solid ball). If the powder is not dissolving into the mixture, add more water, a tablespoon at a time.

Press the mixture into the square dish evenly. Flatten out the top with a spatula until smooth and even.

Pop in the freezer for 30 min. The mixture should be firm and cool but not frozen solid. Lift the paper out of the dish onto a cutting board and cut into desired squares.

Topping tips: Feel free to add other ingredients to the mix like mashed banana, almonds, ground flax seed, anything goes! You may even want to top the squares with a sprinkling of unsweetened, shredded coconut, or slivered almonds before freezing.

Nutritional info for 8 bars:
Calories: 250
Carbs: 21 g
Protein: 20 g
Fat: 20 g

For 12-14 snack-size squares:
Calories: 154
Carbs: 13 g
Protein: 14 g
Fat: 13 g

*Nutritional info will vary slightly depending on the type of whey protein you use