Yesterday I started off making my usual healthy energy bars that I make once a month to snack on. Basically to keep me and my family off junk food. They are not exactly low in calories, but eat in moderate quantities; it provides you with heart healthy fats from almonds and pumpkin seeds, fiber in psyillium which helps with digestive health, cholesterol management and keeps you full longer.
This time I played around with different measurements and ingredients just for the heck it. It turned out something between a nut brittle and chewy bar. And it’s pretty darn good!
I call these “Kind Bars” because it makes me happy, keeps my glucose level stable, which in return is better for my mood, that way I’m always nice person.
These bars are sugar-free, gluten-free, super nutty, high fiber and wholesome. They are lightly sweetened, very crunchy and chewy. Best part is they are easy to make and handy for after school snack, road trips, 3:00 p:m slump and whenever you need a little pick-me-up.
Kind bars
Makes about 18-20, 1 inch by 4 inch bars
- 1/4 cup (30g) psyllium
- 1 cup raw almonds roughly chopped
- 3/4 cup raw green pumpkin seeds also called pepitas
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1/2 cup dried whole organic cranberries roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt flakes/ fleur de sal
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F.
- Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper which also covers the sides for easy lifting. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl add psyllium, maple, vanilla, almond butter. Mix well. Add cranberries, chopped almonds and pumpkin seeds. Mix well until evenly distributed.
- Transfer mixture on to prepared baking pan and press very firmly into an even layer about 1/2 inch thick. I used a large metal spatula. Press and pack down as tight as possible.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan for an hour. Using the overhang parchment paper lift the nutty slab out.
- Use a sharp knife cut into 1 inch by 3-4 inch bars. You can individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap or parchment to make it fancy or store in an airtight container: ziplock bags or box.
- These bars stay fresh at room temperature for 1 week or in the fridge for several weeks if they last that long.
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