Chocolate covered and chocolate chip granola bars were one of my favorite lunch box snacks growing up. Did they leave me feeling full, not really and they probably didn’t provide the best health benefits?
It’s nice to have a snack on hand that can leave you feeling full and please your taste buds. Whether you are going to be taking it on a hike, to the office or to school with your children you can be pleased to know that they are healthy and filled with goodness.
A lot of snacks on the market are jam-packed with over-processed ingredients, leading to an overload of sugar, flavorings and preservatives begin added to it. If you snack makes you feel like you’d want more, it’s probably a good idea to get your hands on another snack.
If you try out this recipe let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #holistickenko on Instagram! Have a wonderfully positive day everyone!
These granola bars are not only a great source of fiber but a good source of protein and healthy fats. The protein and fats from the nuts and seeds will aid in keeping you feeling and ward off any hangry feelings. The fiber and cinnamon help in balancing out the sugars that the bar has, releasing them slowly and preventing a spike in your blood sugar levels. This bar won’t weigh you down but it will help you feel powered up. The maca that is in it provides a healthy boost of energy, as well as aiding to balance out your hormones and keep you feeling alert.
This is far more than your regular granola bar, but it is just as delicious. Instead of weighing your body down, give it the nourishment that will help it power through busy, tough days!
Raw Chocolate Chip Nutty Granola Bar
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp maca
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup hemp seeds
- 3 tbsp coconut oil melted (organic)
- 300 g smooth almond butter + extra if needed
- 1/2 cup coconut nectar or honey
- 1/4 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup raw almonds
- Pinch Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Line a cookie pan (a 9inch square pan or a long loaf pan will do well too) with baking paper (have excess on the sides). This will be placed in the freezer, so make sure that it fits! My freezer is always full so I find that a cookie pan fits best.
- Place dry ingredients – oats, sunflower seeds, maca, cinnamon, hemp seeds and salt into a large mixing bowl. With a wooden spoon mix until well combined
- With a spatula combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Once well combined add to dry ingredients. Blend well so as to not leave any dry ingredient unincorporated.
- Add in the remainder of the ingredients – chocolate, almonds, cashews and mix until well incorporated.
- Scoop out the granola bar mixture into the prepared pan evenly spreading out the mixture. Unlike a square pan a cookie pan though it may fit easier into the freezer will require you to do some moulding. Make sure that the granola slab is no more than an inch high. Place in the freezer (you may wish to cover up the top with either the excess baking paper or cling wrap). Leave it in the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Take one and remove the granola slab from the pan and place on a cutting board. Using a long knife portion out slices. You may wish to make a square or larger bars. For larger bars, I found that this makes approximately 18 bars.
- Store in the fridge in a reusable container. I like to store half in the freezer so that they don’t get eaten too quickly.
Nutrition
