Healthy Homemade Energy Bars
Make these easy and healthy homemade energy bars for a simple, wholesome, and refined sugar-free recipe suitable for all eaters. Rich in fiber and protein, this is the perfect grab-and-go gluten-free snack that will keep you going throughout the day!
- Prep time
- 8 min
- Cook time
- 2 min
- Yield
- 12 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons flax seeds (You can also use sesame seeds sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (melted (or cashew butter)
- 3/4 cup sugar-free maple syrup (or honey - Both options work just as well, but honey is not sugar-free.)
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (If you only have sweetened coconut shreds, reduce the maple syrup or honey slightly.)
- 1/3 cup raisins (or golden raisins, or sultanas all work.)
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (For a vegan option, make sure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.)
- 1 teaspoon espresso (liquid, optional - Can also be replaced with vanilla extract.)
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil (or mild vegetable oil - Use refined coconut oil if the coconut flavor is too overpowering for you.)
Instructions
- 1
To prepare the energy bars: In a medium bowl, stir together oats, chia seeds, flax seeds, peanut butter, honey, cinnamon, coconut, and raisins until forming a homogeneous mixture.
- 2
Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper (overlapping the sides) and press very, very well the bar mixture into the pan using a spatula, until forming a flat, uniform layer. Freeze for 10 minutes.
- 3
To prepare the drizzle: Melt the chocolate chips, espresso (liquid), and coconut oil together in a microwave-safe bowl, in 30-second intervals mixing between them until the chocolate is almost melted. Remove the bowl from the microwave and then stir well until smooth and creamy.
- 4
Lift the parchment paper by holding the overlapping sides and placing it onto a large baking sheet. With a sharp Chef's knife, slice it evenly into 12 bars.
- 5
Separate the bars gently to drizzle each with melted chocolate. Place the large baking sheet in the freezer for extra 10 minutes or until the chocolate has set.