Super Seedy Energy Bars
Say goodbye to empty calorie store-bought bars! These easy to make, super nut and seed energy bars are loaded with nutrients and seriously yummy. Perfect for a snack, post workout or hike energy boost or healthy dessert, especially if you drizzle a little chocolate on them. Super seedy energy bars are packed with protein and fibre from seeds, nuts, healthy fats from coconut and just the right amount of sweetness from dried fruit.Super seed energy bars are quick and easy to make. Best of all you get to say what goes in them. The recipe is completely customisable. Use whichever seeds, nuts and fruits you love best. Then switch up and reinvent the bars with new ingredients every time you make them.I lightly roasted the nuts and seeds to boost the flavour and give that little bit of extra crunch but you can skip this step if you prefer. I love this recipe as it just uses one pot to mix everything, no blender or extra bowls. So simple and quick to make a batch.Superfood sesame seeds, hemp hearts, and sunflower seeds are combined with almonds and creamy sesame paste, salty-sweet peanut butter in these wholesome, easy to prepare chewy seed and nut bars. What’s not to love about these? They take under 10 minutes to prepare. They’re packed with healthy ingredients. And they’re absolutely delicious!Have you ever made energy bars that were so good you couldn’t stop eating them? Yeah, these are those bars. I have been loving making variations of this basic recipe. They’re so simple, quick and satisfying, I can’t help but dream up new flavors. Chocolate Chip Almond Butter? Yep. Healthy Brownie? Uh huh. Super Mega Seedy? Yeah, this is happening. It starts with seeds, and lots of them! Seeds are an essential part of a plant-based diet. They are like little nutritional powerhouses.For instance, flax and chia seed are incredibly high in fiber and healthy fats, including Omega 3s.Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E, magnesium and selenium – nutrients that protect virtually every square inch of our bodies.And hemp seeds – the healthiest of the bunch – are a complete protein, loaded with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and contain all 19 essential amino acids, which are essential for optimum health.You could think of these delicious bars like a healthy trail mix in a bar! I store them in the freezer and remove them about 5 minutes before eating. Having this stash means I always have a healthy pick-me-up ready on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed seeds of your choice – hemp, chia, pumpkin, sesame, flax, sunflower
- 1/2 cup almonds or nuts of choice, or a mix, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried fruit of choice – raisins, dates, cranberries, apricots, pineapple, chopped
- 1/2 cup oats, instant or quick
- 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup nut or seed butter of choice
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Extra
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs
Instructions
- If you wish to roast the nuts (and the seeds) for extra flavour do this first. Preheat the over to 160°C and place the nuts and seeds on a tray and bake for 5-10 minutes (if you wish to toast the coconut, watch it closely as it burns easily).Line an 8 x 8” baking or loaf pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.In a medium saucepan heat over a low heat the ‘melty’ ingredients – coconut oil, nut butter and honey. Stir until well combined.Add all the other ingredients into the saucepan – seeds, chopped nuts, dried fruit and vanilla extract and stir well with a wooden spoon or spatula until coated with the ‘melty’ ingredients.If you are using chocolate chips, wait until mixture has cooled a little before adding as they will melt. Or you can simply sprinkle them on top.Scoop the mixture into the prepared pan evenly with a spatula or back of a spoon.Place in the fridge for an hour to setOnce set cut into 10-12 bars or squares of your preferred size.Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1week or in the freezer for up to a month
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
