Chocolate Energy Bars
Nutritional Info
- Servings Per Recipe: 14
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 106.1
- Total Fat: 4.0 g
- Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
- Sodium: 4.5 mg
- Total Carbs: 16.2 g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.6 g
- Protein: 3.1 g
View full nutritional breakdown of Chocolate Energy Bars calories by ingredient
Introduction
I based this recipe on Vector chocolate chip bars - which I like but are too full of processed sugars/palm oil/other gunk for my taste.These bars (for a portion of equal calories) have less sodium and saturated fat and more fibre and potassium. The sugars come from dried fruit instead of refined sugar and corn syrup. They don't have as much protein (about 2/3 of protein in Vector bars), and although they contain vitamins and minerals it's kind of hard to compare them. I based this recipe on Vector chocolate chip bars - which I like but are too full of processed sugars/palm oil/other gunk for my taste.
These bars (for a portion of equal calories) have less sodium and saturated fat and more fibre and potassium. The sugars come from dried fruit instead of refined sugar and corn syrup. They don't have as much protein (about 2/3 of protein in Vector bars), and although they contain vitamins and minerals it's kind of hard to compare them.
Number of Servings: 14
Ingredients
-
12 dried apricots
16 dried dates
2 tsp vanilla extract
6 tbsp natural almond butter (unsalted/unsweetened, crunchy or smooth)
1 tsp water
6 tbsp cocoa powder
4 tbsp soy flour
2 tbsp soy nuts (roasted, unsalted)
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup all-bran cereal
Tips
This recipe is still in progress, they're still a little sugary for me. But they're tasty and still fairly nutritious so I figured I'd post the recipe as it is now.
Note that these are calorie-dense: they're energy bars not go-to snacks. :)
This recipe is a great base for improvisation:
-Other nut/seed butters can be used in place of the almond butter.
-For a change, you can use different dried fruits such as figs or raisins. Just make sure you have about the same amount of fruit.
-If the mix is too crumbly, add more water. If it's too wet, add more oats.
-Quick oats can be used in place of rolled oats.
-Cocoa nibs would be a great addition if you can find them. Add them with the all-bran cereal (probably 1-2 tbsp).
Directions
Combine apricots and dates in a food processor until they're finely chopped. Add vanilla, almond butter, water and cocoa powder. Process until you get a crumbly paste and all ingredients are well mixed.
Add soy flour, soy nuts and rolled oats. Process until all are combined and the soy nuts are chopped up.
Add all-bran cereal, pulse a few times to combine. The cereal should still be intact - don't over process.
Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Transfer bar mix to pan and spread evenly. Fold the edges of the plastic wrap onto the surface of the bar mix. Take a second loaf pan and put it inside the first, press down firmly to pack the bars.
Place loaf pan in the fridge for 5-10 minutes, or until they're firm enough to cut into bars.
Store bars in fridge.
Serving Size: makes 14 bars, each approx. 40 g
Add soy flour, soy nuts and rolled oats. Process until all are combined and the soy nuts are chopped up.
Add all-bran cereal, pulse a few times to combine. The cereal should still be intact - don't over process.
Line a loaf pan with plastic wrap. Transfer bar mix to pan and spread evenly. Fold the edges of the plastic wrap onto the surface of the bar mix. Take a second loaf pan and put it inside the first, press down firmly to pack the bars.
Place loaf pan in the fridge for 5-10 minutes, or until they're firm enough to cut into bars.
Store bars in fridge.
Serving Size: makes 14 bars, each approx. 40 g