So Versatile! Healthy Dessert, Snack or Breakfast Bar!
Ok, you all know I’m a HUGE fan of efficiency – especially when it comes to cooking or baking. I mean, I love to do it – but I’m just not into making brand new, start-from-scratch meals every single day. That’s why I love, love, LOVE dishes that make several servings that you can store and grab for a few days of healthy eats. SO KEY!
These Peanut-Butter & Strawberry Energy Bars are one of them! Made in your VitaMix – this is the one I use, or a Food Processor with simple, real ingredients – they have no added-sugar, are gluten-free and best of all – deelish!
We puree Chickpeas and unsweetened peanut-butter to
create a binding “dough like” consistency, which also
gives a nice boost of protein, fiber and good healthy fats.
Translation: Satisfying, Filling, Keeps you fuller, longer
Made with Simple, Real-ingredients in a VitaMix or Food Processor – they’re a SNAP to Make & Bake in an 8×8 Baking Dish!
Super versatile – Dessert, Snack or Breakfast Bar!
This is a recipe that really does fit perfectly into a few meal categories, namely Breakfast, Dessert or Snack. The sweetness of the strawberries and the crumbly-topping make it a satisfying not-too-sweet dessert to end a meal, BUT it’s also healthy, well-balanced and energizing – which makes it perfect to enjoy as a Snack or a Breakfast Bar. Pair it with a cup of Chamomile Tea to relax in the evening, or an Almond-Milk Latte in the morning!
Make it with me! See the VIDEO:
Peanut-Butter & Strawberry Energy Bars | No-Sugar, Gluten-free
Ingredients
- 1 15-oz can Chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- ½ cup Peanut Butter unsweetened, no additives
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract good quality
- 1-2 tbsp Liquid Monkfruit (no-sugar sweetener)
- ⅔ cup Rolled Oats Gluten-free
- ½ cup Roasted Peanuts (I used salted)
- ¼ tsp Baking Soda
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1¼-1½ cups Fresh Strawberries chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350-degrees.
- SPRAY an 8×8 Baking Dish with cooking spray, then line it with Parchment Paper – allowing ends of paper to drop over sides. This is to allow you to easily lift the bars from the dish! The cooking spray just helps the parchment to stick to the dish without popping up.
- In a VitaMix or Food Processor, puree Chickpeas, Peanut Butter, Vanilla and Liquid Monkfruit. It will be VERY THICK, so you’ll have to scrape down sides a few times. That’s normal – you’re making a “dough.”
- In a small bowl, mix together the Oats, Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt & Peanuts.
- ADD Oat mixture to the VitaMix mixture and pulse just enough to incorporate. You want the mixture to be “Chunky.”
- LAYER: Firmly press 1/2 of the dough onto the bottom of the baking dish. This is your BASE, so make sure to press firmly. NEXT: Spread the chopped strawberries evenly over the top. FINALLY: Crumble the remaining half of the dough over the strawberries. This is your Crumble!
- BAKE: 20-25 minutes, until top is crispy/toasted looking and bars are pulling slightly away from the sides.
- COOL: Cool Bars in the baking dish 15-20 minutes. NEXT: Remove from baking dish using sides of parchment paper, place on wire rack and allow them to TOTALLY COOL – about 30-minutes. They need to “set!”
- SLICE & LOVE! Cut into squares (any size you like) and enjoy! Store in airtight container in fridge. They’re optimal for 2-3 days 😉
