These Chia Seed Protein Bars are made from real, whole ingredients: nuts, dried fruit and coconut oil. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and have no added sugar!

I’ve been on a real Chia Seed kick for the last year. I put these little guys in everything – yogurt, overnight oats, and now I make protein bars with them, too!

If you have never had chia seeds, or you’ve seen them in the store and are hesitant to try them, here are a few things that may sway you:

– They are a great source of healthy fats, fiber and protein. Just one tablespoon has 70 calories, 3 grams of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, 6 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein

– Chia seeds have no taste. That is why they are easy to add to anything.

– The seeds expand when they touch liquid, so many people use them as a thickening agent to make healthy puddings and smoothies. (Warning: getting a chia seed stuck in your teeth is worse than getting a poppy seed stuck. As I said, it expands…so I just hope you have a hand mirror or an honest friend nearby…)

For all of those reasons, chia seeds are a great addition to these bars. They blend right in with the nuts and dried fruit, and add a good dose of fats, protein, and fiber.

With no added sugars, these chia bars are super healthy and very easy to make. Everything goes in the food processor and the bars are set in the freezer – no baking required!

Tip: The first time I made these, I rolled out the mixture, froze it, and then tried cutting the bars. It was a bad move. The bars ended up crumbling so much that 1/3 of the mixture went to waste. My advice is to definitely cut, then freeze.

Wrap these bars up individually for the perfect grab-and-go healthy snack.