Healthy Homemade Energy Bars
Ingredients
For the no-bake energy bars
- 2 cups rolled oats uncooked - If you only have quick oats on hand, you will need to reduce the overall amount added as quick oats are packed more densely.
- 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
- ¾ 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.
- ⅓ cup raisins or golden raisins, or sultanas all work.
For the chocolate coffee drizzle
- ¼ 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.
- ½ tablespoon coconut oil or mild vegetable oil - Use refined coconut oil if the coconut flavor is too overpowering for you.
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recipe Notes
- Freezer: Store leftovers in the freezer, wrapped individually in parchment paper, and then place them into a container or freezer bag, for a week or longer.
- Thaw: When you’re ready for another energy bar, let them thaw on the counter for about 5-10 minutes, or just until softened enough to bite into.
Nutrition
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.