This morning I was mindlessly staring at my large bowl full of ripe bananas, wondering what to make.  I played off of my Banana Nut Butter Bread recipe that I love and turned them into protein breakfast bars (okay, any-time-of-day protein bars 😉 ).  I cannot wait to take these to power myself up a hike!  Check out the nutrition facts of almond meal here & quinoa flakes here!Marley really loved the bite she got…and obviously wants them all!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup almond meal (allergic to almonds? sub with quinoa flour!)
• 1 Cup quinoa flakes
• 1/3 Cup shredded coconut
• 4 ripe bananas
• 4 Tablespoons ground chia seeeds, whisked with 12 Tablespoons warm water – set aside for 5 minutes (it will have a gooey egg-like consistency)
• 4 Tablespoons virgin coconut oil
• 4 Tablespoons apple sauce
• 4 Tablespoons potato starch (may replace with corn or arrowroot starch)
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 4oo degrees Fahrenheit.  In a large mixing bowl combine your almond meal, quinoa flakes, shredded coconut, potato starch, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and whisk to combine.  In your food processor add your bananas, ground chia seed mix, coconut oil, apple sauce, and puree until smooth.  Mix your wet ingredients into your flour mixing bowl and stir until smooth. 
2. Prepare a 9 x 9 baking dish with either parchment paper or non-stick spray.  Pour your batter into your baking dish and smooth over the top.  Pop your dish into the oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden.

3. Enjoy eating whole!