Sweet and Salty Energy Bars
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Sweet, crunchy, gluten-free cereal bars for a balanced snack or a quick, make-ahead breakfast.
By:
Makes: 9-16 bars
Ingredients
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup almond butter
  • 10 dates, pitted and finely chopped
  • 1½ cups Honey Nut Cheerios
  • 1 heaping cup crushed Lay's Original potato chips
  • ¼ cup chia seeds
  • ½ cup roasted/salted sunflower seeds
  • ¼ tsp sea salt or pink salt
Instructions
  1. Line an 8" cake pan with parchment.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cereal, crushed chips, chia seeds, sunflower seeds and salt. Stir to combine.
  3. Combine maple syrup, almond butter and dates in a small saucepan and bring to a bubble. Keep at a simmer while stirring constantly for 2 mins.
  4. Pour maple mixture over cereal mixture, and mix using a folding motion until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish, pressing mixture out to all sides and packing it down tightly using the bottom of a drinking glass. Allow to set at room temperature for 2 hours; then, carefully lift out bars using the parchment and cut into 9 (medium) or 16 (small) equal squares. (See note.) Store bars covered on the counter for up to one week. Enjoy!
Notes
1) I've suggested Honey Nut Cheerios in this recipe, but you can also use original Cheerios for a less-sweet version.
2) I make these bars in an 8" round cake pan and save the scraps away for my own snacking (when crumbled up, they're an excellent topping for a scoop of ice cream), and I still end up with 9 (or 16, if you want them more petite) perfect little squares for the week.
Recipe by the pig & quill at https://thepigandquill.com/sweet-and-salty-energy-bars/