Come January, we all want to achieve our New Year’s resolutions. For most of us that means adopting a healthier lifestyle, which is always easier said than done. When February rolls around, some of us may start to get off track and crave something a little more than fruit as a snack…. that’s where these “nuts for nuts bars” come in handy! They are easy, delicious, protein packed and the perfect burst of energy for your mid-day slump. Skip the vending machine candy and whip up a batch of these…. the best part is that they pack easy for lunches and will curb that sweet craving all while keeping you on track!
Recipe:
Yields about 8 “nuts for nuts bars”
1 cup natural peanut butter
½ cup roughly chopped almonds (you could also use walnuts)
½ cup chia seeds or ground flax seeds
2 tsp of coconut oil
2 tsp of maple syrup (for sweetness)
¼ cup of mini semi sweet or chocolate chips (you can also chop up dark chocolate if you prefer)
¼ cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a large mixing bowl
- Take mixture and place in a parchment paper lined tray (I like to use a loaf pan)
- Place pan with mixture in the freezer for 2 hours
- Chop into 8-10 portions and individually wrap and store in freezer
- Enjoy!!
I really like these bars because they are nutrient dense, have a lot of protein, crunch and sweetness to keep you on track and full. The Chia seeds also add some omega 3s, which are great for our bodies. The recipe above can be modified to meet all the taste buds in your home, I have made these with dried cranberries, added walnuts instead of almonds and even subbed the peanut butter for almond butter depending on what I have had on hand. They are highly customizable, and therefore can be tweaked to any taste buds you are accommodating at home!
I can assure you will go “nuts” for these bars!! Enjoy ☺
