Coconut & Chocolate Peanutbutter Protein Bars

• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (just peanuts + salt)
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/3 cup honey (use coconut palm syrup if vegan)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup vanilla protein powder*
• 1 cup oats
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips + 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• Optional: 1/3 cup dried tart cherries (or dried fruit of choice)
• Optional: 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling

1. Heat peanut butter, coconut oil, honey and vanilla 
2. in a saucepan over low heat. Mix together until well 
3. combined and smooth, then remove from heat and 
4. transfer to a large bowl. Stir in protein powder until 
5. smooth, then fold in oats, dried cherries, chia seeds, 
6. and coconut flakes. Place in a 8x4 inch loaf pan lined 
7. with parchment paper.
8. Add chocolate chips and coconut in a small saucepan 
9. and place over low heat until melted. Drizzle over the 
10. tops of the bars. Sprinkle with sea salt.
11. Place in fridge for 1 hour before removing from pan 
12. and cutting into 10 bars or squares. Store bars in fridge 
13. tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 
14. 2 weeks.