Coconut Date Sehri Bars (Vegan, No Oil, Gluten Free)

Oh, coconut-y, date deliciousness!  These Coconut Date Sehri bars are flavorful and filling!  You don't even need to add chocolate.  But . . . chocolate added to the mix?  EPIC.  Making them requires some refrigeration, so plan to make these the night before breakfast.  Hoping you enjoy them as much as I did.

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1/3 cup maple syrup, agave syrup, or date puree
1 and 1/2 cups toasted unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup mixed nut butter (sub any type of nut butter)
1 cup deglet noor dates, soaked in water for 20 minutes
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips *optional*

Instructions:

Following these instructions exactly will provide the best results.

1. To make the crust, blend the oats on low speed until the oats break into small pieces. Add the maple syrup into the blender until a sticky dough is formed.
2. Press the crust into an 9x5" baking dish (I used a glass dish - but recommend lining your pan with parchment paper if using a metal pan). Bake the crust for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove the crust from the oven and cool.
3. In a blender, combine the soaked and drained dates, nut butter, salt, vanilla, and water until you have a thick paste.  
4. Pulse in the toasted coconut.
5. Spread the mixture on top of the crust base.
6. Refrigerate the bars for at least four hours.
7. *Optional* Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave at 30 second intervals until melted.
8. *Optional* Drizzle the tops of the bars with the melted chocolate.  Chill, until the chocolate sets.
9. Slice the bars and enjoy! Store leftovers in the fridge!

#halahbakes