Power your hike or walk with these moreish nut and seed protein bars, or crumble them up for a delicious breakfast yogurt topper. If you don't have all of the following ingredients, feel free to substitute other nuts and seeds.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Total time: 6 hours
Servings: 12 bars
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup TAHA protein powder: try chocolate or vanilla
-
3 tablespoons sesame seeds + extra for sprinkling on top
-
3 tablespoons ground chia seeds
-
3 tablespoons ground flax seeds
-
3 tablespoons cocoa nibs or chocolate chips
-
3 tablespoons unsweetened coconut (shredded or flakes can be used)
-
3 tablespoons rolled spelt or oats
- 1/3 cup dried fruit
-
10 pitted dates
- 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
-
3 tablespoons puffed quinoa
- 1/2 cup nut butter (we used a combo of almond and tahini)
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
-
2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Optional
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
METHOD:
- Roast almonds, pumpkin, sunflower, and sesame seeds at 350°F 180°C on a tray in the oven for 5 minutes, monitoring so they do not burn.
- Combine all dry ingredients, excluding the puffed quinoa, in a food processor and blend until everything is chopped roughly.
- Remove 1/3 of the mixture from the food processor and set aside in a large bowl.
- Continue processing the mixture in the food processor until it starts to blend together and form a ball. Remove from the food processor and mix with the roughly chopped mixture.
- Add puffed quinoa to the mixture.
- In a saucepan at low heat, melt the nut butter and incorporate the olive oil, maple syrup and vanilla.
- Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is coated evenly.
- Firmly press the mixture in a 8" by 8" pan lined with parchment paper.
- Optional, in a small bowl microwave the chocolate chips for 30 seconds and stir. If they are not fully melted, microwave in 10 second intervals making sure to stir in between. Add olive oil.
- Drizzle chocolate over bars and spread lightly over the top.
- Place in the refrigerator to set for 5+ hours. Cut into squares or bars with a sharp knife and enjoy.
Tip: If you have any crumbs when cutting the bars up, save them in a jar and sprinkle on your cereal or ice cream ;)