If you’re anything like me, you appreciate a healthy and deliciously tasting granola bar. If you’re also anything like me, you prefer the chewy granola bars instead of the crunchy ones that crumble all over your clothes and not in your mouth.
I used to purchase granola bars because, as many of you will agree with me they:
1). Make a great on-the go breakfast (for those mornings that you snoozed your alarm clock one too many times)
2) Make a great energizer for your pre-workout and work as a protein booster for your post workout
3) Pack great in lunches and are easily portable
4) Are an over-all great snack.
However, the majority of them are highly loaded with calories (eerie music plays in the background). So I wanted to come up with a recipe that was both low in sugar and also that it was a “no baking” necessary recipe, since unfortunately, my baking element decided to give up on me and now my oven is “under construction” until it gets fixed (plus, it’s just easier that way).
So, I took a journey through my pantry, grabbed several different fun ingredients, and began my recipe hunt. About 15 minutes later…
…hunting complete.
Alas, a low-sugar granola bar that boosts you only up and never down…
The No-Bake Power Granola Bar
Or as I like to call it, simply, “The Glory Bar”
Just look at the peanut butter embracing the rest of the glorious ingredients, all working in unison to create a harmonious action-packed bar.
They are:
Naturally Chewy
Naturally Sweet
Naturally Salty
No-Bake Power Granola Bars
Yield: 8-12 (depending on how they are cut)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup peanut butter (I used chunky)
2 to 4 tablespoons agave (or a combination with honey or maple syrup)
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/8 cup raisins
½ cup raw unsalted almonds, whole or halved
½ cup raw unsalted cashews, halved
2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
2 tablespoons goji berries, dried
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 tablespoons shredded coconut, unsweetened
Other Ingredient Suggestions:
Chocolate chips
Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
Cooked quinoa
Dried cranberries
Instructions:
- In a food processor or a blender, process dates until they turn into tiny pieces and they begin to thicken together.
- In a medium bowl, place all the ingredients, except the peanut butter and the agave; mix together.
- In a small saucepan on low-medium heat, place the peanut butter and the agave and stir for about 3 minutes or until warm (do not let it boil).
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until all the ingredients have been well combined and the mixture has thickened together.
- In a 9×13 glass dish , place parchment paper on the bottom (this will help when serving them). Pour the thickened mixture; spread and press down (I used the bottom of a bowl to press down in the middle part and a spoon to press down on the sides).
- Once firmly pressed and even on all sides, freeze for about 25 minutes or refrigerate for 35 minutes to set the mixture. If mixture is still a bit unsettled, freeze for another 10-15 minutes.
- Once set, remove from the freezer (or fridge) and cut into bars, squares, triangles, or break them apart into abstract shapes!
- Enjoy and power up!
