No-Bake Energy Brownies

Inspired by The Healthy Maven, these no-bake energy brownies require zero cooking, are packed full of protein and thyroid-supportive nutrients and will give you energy all day! I originally created this recipe for women struggling with a sluggish thyroid but quickly realized they make the perfect hormone-balancing, stress-busting AND family-friendly snack. Take these on the road or keep them in your fridge for a quick on-the-go energy boost!

Makes: 20 brownies

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp brazil nuts (crushed if not using food processor)

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats

• 1/2 cup tahini

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/3 cup cacao nibs

• 1/2 cup almond meal (alt: vanilla protein powder)

• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

• 1 tbsp water

Instructions

1. In a bowl or food processor, add Brazil nuts to crush or crushed. Add the tahini, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and almond meal and stir to combine.

2. Add in the sunflower seeds, oats and cacao nibs and mix.

3. Pour in 1 tablespoon of water and blend. Add more water 1 tbsp at a time until everything comes together into a sticky ball.

4. Press the mixture into a brownie pan and freeze or store in the fridge for at least one hour. Cut into 20 pieces by using a 4 X 5 line grid in your pan. Best if stored chilled - enjoy within 10 days or freeze for up to 6 months.

NOTE: For my nut-free friends, you can replace the Brazil nuts with pumpkin seeds and use vanilla protein powder instead of the almond meal. For my grain-free friends, swap in more almond meal for the oats.