Tuesday 9 December 2014

'Melt in your mouth' soft muesli power bars

Hi healthy food lovers! :)

I'm excited to share today a new recipe that I have wanted to create for a very long time, 'power bars.' However, this is no ordinary power bar! This bar is made with no flours, additional sugars, oils, shortenings or preservatives, making it 100% healthy in my foodtarian eyes :). The ingredients are completely customisable if you have any allergies or dislikes to what I have used. However, I do hope you give my listed ingredients a go! These bars are the perfect mix or crunchy and sweet. 

Soft muesli power bars


Serves: approximately 20, depending on your pan size
Time: 15 - 20 minutes cooking, up to 6 hours refrigeration

Ingredients

  • 170 grams whole grain puffed rice (no sugar additives)
  • 120 grams quick cooking rolled oats
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup sugar free maple syrup
  • 140 grams honey
  • 20 grams smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 50 grams pepita/sunflower seed mix, unsalted, unroasted 
  • 50 grams shelled oven roasted pistachios, unsalted
  • 30 grams unsalted, unroasted peanuts, shelled

Method

  1. Preheat oven 160 degrees Celsius. 
  2. Chop all nuts in half.
  3. Place all dry ingredients (oats, rice, cinnamon, cranberries, nuts) in a very large mixing bowl.
  4. Place the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and melt (approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute).
  5. Add the maple syrup and honey to the peanut butter mix.
  6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir together until combined.
  7. Spread the mixture into a slice baking tray and cook in the oven for approximately 15 - 20 minutes (the mixture should be browned), turning halfway through cooking time (note: cooking times for ovens will vary).
  8. Leave the slice to cool, then place in the refrigerator until set (this can take anywhere between 3 - 6 hours for a firm setting).
  9. Once set, cut your slice into approximately 20 slices.
  10. Enjoy!


These power bars are an excellent snack  before the gym, to take with you on the go, or even as a quick breakfast!

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I loved making them.

Happy healthy eating! :)
The Active Foodtarian