Junk Food Makeover: Almond Joy

Almond Joy bars made from almond, coconut, and coconut oil. (Photo: Jeff Burns)

Between the mixture of almond, coconut and coconut oil, this snack will help keep you fuller longer and power you throughout your day. Plus, here’s an added bonus: the lauric acid in coconut oil can kill bacteria and viruses, keeping your health on track. Try this as an on-the-go breakfast with some berries or as a late afternoon vending machine snack alternative.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup coconut sugar
  

• 3 eggs
  

• 1 tsp vanilla
  

• 3 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
  

• ½ cup almond flour
  

• ½ tsp sea salt
  

• ½ cup almonds 
  

• ½ cup 70% dark chocolate
  

• 3 tbsp coconut oil
  

Yields: 12 servings

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
   

2. Whip the eggs at medium high speed in a mixer until stiff peaks form. Gradually add coconut sugar and vanilla.

3. In a separate bowl, mix shredded coconut with almond flour and sea salt. Fold in egg whites.

4. Spread mixture evenly into non stick muffin pans. Bake for 12 minutes. Let cool. Remove from pan. 
   

5. In a double broiler, melt dark chocolate and mix with coconut oil. Drizzle chocolate over the almond joys. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
   

Recipe: Yancy Gandionco

Tricia Williams is a chef and nutrition educator and founder of Food Matters NYC, a customized meal delivery service in Manhattan.

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