No Bake Chickpea Peanutbutter Coconut Bars

Next time you’re craving something sweet, try these no bake chickpea bars! They’re the perfect balance of sweet and salty. 

You’ll need:

Bars Dough:

• 1 cup rolled oats (grind into a flour)
• 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed well)
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 5-7 dates (depending on size)
• 1.5 Tbsp coconut oil
• ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Chocolate Topping:

• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
•  2 Tbsp Coconut flakes for sprinkling on top

Preparation:

1. Soak dates in hot water about 10 minutes prior to using.
2. In a food processor, add chickpeas and process until smooth paste like texture.
3. Melt coconut oil into liquid (about 15 seconds in microwave).
4. Add soaked dates, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and peanut butter to food processor and process until smooth.
5. Stop food processor, add oat flour, salt, cinnamon, and coconut flakes and process until smooth. (Hint: may need to stop food processor every few seconds and use a spatula to shift contents to be easily blended.)
6. Once dough have been fully blended remove from food processor and place on parchment paper. 
7. Flatten dough into about 8×10 inch rectangle approximately ½ inch thickness. 
8. In microwave safe dish, place chocolate chips and maple syrup and melt in microwave (about 30 seconds, remove, stir, add 30 additional seconds if needed). 
9. Pour melted chocolate onto shaped bars and spread evenly.
10. Sprinkle additional coconut flakes on top of bars. 
11. Place bars in refrigerator for 30 minutes before slicing into 16 pieces.
12. Once sliced, enjoy!
13. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days!

Serving Size: 1 Bar = 1/16 of recipe

Exchanges: 0.5 starch, 1 fat, .25 fruit, .5 protein