Hi ladies!
So, last week we had our fall photo shoot, downtown. The lighting is usually best early morning (and we all know how important lighting is, just sayin’) – which meant hair and makeup at 4am, shooting by 7:30am. Translation: Freaking Early!!!
So…..yeah. By 10:00 I was pretty damn hungry and hadn’t thought to bring a banana. My bad. I grabbed a KIND Bar – you know, the “healthy” snack bar that’s usually packed with nuts and seeds? I was in a pinch and it was the best available option.
The problem with KIND Bars is, they’re really not THAT kind.
Sure, there are some good ingredients such as nuts and seeds – and in a serious pinch, it’s a decent option. The problem-o is that most of the remaining ingredients consist of Sugar, Honey, Glucose syrup (all various forms of sugar….in ONE bar), & preservatives.
Let’s exert just a smidge of extra effort & create our own better grab ‘n go Snack Bar option, shall we? Follow me……
This EASY Snack (or Breakfast) ENERGY BAR is Nutritious & Deelish
So….I decided to get into the kitchen and make an easy Grab-n-Go Snack Bar sans added sugar or preservatives. I wanted to pack it with simple, real ingredients that were not only delicious – but provide stick to your ribs energy and sustainability.
Packed with Oats & Flax Seed Meal for fiber and energy, Almonds, Pecans & Sunflower Seeds for healthy fats, plus Dried Apricots and Medjool Dates for a little sweet chewiness – I think you’ll love these!
NO BAKE – Apricot Oat & Nut ENERGY BARS! (Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Steel Cut Oats, gluten-free
- ½ cup Flax Seed Meal
- ¾ tsp Sea Salt
- ¼ cup Almonds, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup Pecans, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp Sunflower Seeds
- ½ cup Dried Apricots, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup Medjool Dates, roughly chopped
- 1⅓ cup Peanut Butter, unsweetened
- ¼ cup Erythritol (sugar substitute)
- ⅓ cup Sugar-Free Maple Syrup
- 1¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with 2 strips of parchment paper, allowing paper to drape over edges. This will allow you to easily lift the bars out of the dish – without turning it into a hot mess.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the first 7 ingredients, up to and including the Medjool Dates. Toss to incorporate. Set aside.
- In a medium microwavable mixing bowl, add peanut butter, erythritol, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring each time – until the mixture is all incorporated and creamy.
- Add peanut butter mixture to oat mixture, mixing until everything is incorporated. I used my hands – it’s easier.
- Press mixture into the baking dish. Place in the fridge for about an hour.
- Remove bars from dish, slice into bars or squares (your choice!). Store in airtight container in fridge.
