Honey and Almond Butter No-Bake Granola Bars
Packaged granola bars are convenient; however, they are often loaded with sugar and usually don’t contain much protein, the main macronutrient responsible for satiation. Eating high-sugar, low-protein “health” bars is consuming empty calories, since bars like these won’t significantly alleviate your hunger or aid your body’s nutritional status.
As mentioned previously on my blog, the best way to curb your hunger is by eating a snack that contains both a protein source and a carbohydrate source (a “purposeful snack,” as I was trained to call it as a nutrition coach).
Protein assists with fullness, while carbohydrates provide energy. Bonus points if your snack contains an unsaturated fat, as this will work even further to help you feel full, since fat slows down digestion!
Provided is a tried and tested honey and almond butter no-bake granola bar recipe that I created. These bars are lower in sugar than most packaged granola bars and contain plenty of protein (and healthy fats!), due to their base being almond butter. The oats and flax meal in these bars provide fiber, which helps your digestive system. Fiber is also beneficial for heart health since it helps lower “bad” cholesterol levels (aka LDL cholesterol).
Nutrition aside, do you ever just want to eat a snack that you know will fill you up? From firsthand experience, I can tell you that these bars do exactly that.
If prepared in advance, these bars can be just as convenient and efficient as packaged granola bars – just grab a bar out of your freezer, place it in a container, and you’re good to go! Pack one with a salad for lunch, enjoy one as a mid-morning snack, grab one (or two!) to eat on your way to class or work, and you will be set for several hours!
These bars will hold their shape and slice nicely, as long as you let them thaw for a few minutes before cutting. I’ve been brining these to work all week, and after trying this recipe, I’m sure you’ll be doing the same!
Honey and Almond Butter No-Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup salted smooth almond butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups instant oats
- 1 tablespoon flax meal
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsweetened raisins (or dried fruit of choice)
- ¼ cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Mix the almond butter, honey and vanilla together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Mix the oats, flax meal and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
- In several additions, add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Make sure to mix well between each addition.
- Add the raisins. Mix gently. Add the almonds. Mix gently.
- Lightly grease a small baking dish/container. (I used a small brownie tray). Transfer the dough to the dish and pat it down well using your hands. The dough will be sticky. Make sure the bars are at least 1/2 inch thick.(Note: Do not cover the entire surface of the dish you’re using if it will compromise the thickness of the bars).
- After the dough is evenly distributed in your dish, slice it into bars, cover it and freeze overnight. Allow the mixture to thaw for several minutes before eating. You can also store these bars in the fridge, but they will last longer in the freezer and stay more fresh this way if you are packing them for later.
Notes
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