Paleo Protein Energy Bar

I've been looking for a decent recipe for a homemade protein bar forever, and I finally found one here that I was able to modify to my own low sugar taste: Paleo Bar

I was very surprised at how amazing these tasted, and when they were warm, they were like I was eating a sweet treat that was so good for me.  Here's how I made them:

Ingredients:

- 1 Cup Mixed Nuts + Seeds (I used 1/2 c. pumpkin seeds, 1/4 c. raw sunflower seeds, 1/8 c. raw walnuts, 1/4 c. of Bob's brown sesame seeds)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup almond meal (I pulsed approximately 1/4 cup of almonds until it creates a coarse flour)
- 1 1/2 - 2tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup Sun Warrior Vanilla Protein Blend powder
- 3 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup dried goji berries
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut to sprinkle on top

Directions:

 

1. On a cookie sheet, toast nuts+seeds and shredded coconut until golden brown. In order for them to cook evenly, you need to mix them up a few times during the cooking time, and watch them closely so they don't burn.   I had the oven at 350 for this, but a little warmer would have made the process go faster. 
2. Once toasted, pour mixture into a food processor and pulse until nuts+seeds are chopped and the mixture becomes coarsely ground (sort of the consistency of bread crumbs)In a mixing bowl, melt coconut oil and almond butter (about 30 seconds). Remove from microwave and stir until smooth.
3. Add vanilla extract and sea salt. Mix thoroughly.
4. Fold in nut mixture, almond meal and protein powder until mixed thoroughly.
5. Add egg whites and mix thoroughly.
6. Fold in goji berries.
7. Press mixture into an 8 by 8 loaf pan.
8. Cook in a preheated oven at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.  Note: Some of the oil will come to the top while cooking, don't worry about this.
9. Remove from oven, sprinkle the other ¼ cup of shredded coconut on top and place under broiler until top begins to brown.  This will happen quickly so watch it closely.
10. Let cool for 10-15 minutes. Cut into 9 pieces/bars.  If you cut it into fewer,  each will have less calories than listed.
11. Enjoy or stack on wax paper/parchment and store in an airtight container.  These can be stored out of the fridge for a few days, in the fridge for longer, or even frozen.  I had one I froze as a mid-morning snack and I microwaved it and had it warm.  YUM.