Grain Free Granola Bars (no oats!)

Makes 12 bars

Ingredients
dry ingredients:
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 cup almonds, chopped
1 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
3 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 scoops collagen powder (optional, I like vital proteins)

wet ingredients:
1 tablespoon coconut sugar
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup creamy almond butter
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

topping:
1/4 cup chocolate chips (I like Lily's sugar free dark chocolate chips)
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Directions
Preheat oven to 325F and line a 8in square baking pan with parchment paper. 

To a medium sized bowl, add all the dry ingredients and stir together.

In another medium bowl, add all the wet ingredients and stir together thoroughly. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and fold until everything is mixed together. 

Pour mixture into prepared baking pan and firmly pat down with the dry measuring cup to create one even packed layer. 

Bake for 22-25 minutes. Then, remove from the oven and let cool for 45 minutes. Once cool, remove from the pan lifting the parchment paper and place on a cooling rack for another 45 minutes. Cut into 12 bars.

Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl and into the microwave for 20 seconds. Stir together with a spoon and drizzle over the granola bars.

*Can be kept on the countertop or in the fridge for 2 weeks and in the freezer up to 3 months!