No-Bake Protein Breakfast Bars

• 2 cups pitted dates (soaked in ½ cup water for 30 mins; retain soaking water)

• 1 ½ cups protein powder (can be vanilla or chocolate flavored if desired, but unsweetened)

• 1 cup raw walnuts or pecans

• ½ cup raw sunflower seeds

• ⅓ cup chia seeds

• ¼ cup coconut flakes, unsweetened

• ¼ cup hemp seeds

• 3 tbsp raw cacao powder

Place soaked dates and soaking water in food processor, process on low until a smooth paste forms.

Add all remaining ingredients to date paste and blend for 15 - 30 seconds until well incorporated.

You may have to use a silicon spatula to scrape down the sides, then blend again for a few seconds. 

Scrape mixture out and press into a square pan that has been covered with parchment paper. 

Let sit in the fridge for a few hours to harden (or overnight), then gently pull from pan (teasing out with the edges of the parchment), place on a cutting board and cut into snackable bars.

Replace bars into a tightly-sealed container. Can be refrigerated for 2 weeks or frozen for up to a month.