BLUEBERRY BLISS BREAKFAST BARS (NO-BAKE, VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE, NATURALLY SWEETENED)
Even under the least desirable conditions (rain, snow, sleet, ice, and let’s not forget those – 40 C wind chill temperatures), I always come back to thinking that walking my dog first thing in the morning is pretty much the best possible way to start the day.
BLUEBERRY BLISS BREAKFAST BARS NO-BAKE, VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE, NATURALLY SWEETENED-NICK RANA
An ideal opportunity to welcome the new and rinse out the old before the chaos of the inevitable takes over and the monkey mind sets in.
And this time of year, well, it’s hard not to be in love with the outdoors. Everything is lush, fresh and inviting. Flashes of life and color on every corner.
Even our cat is getting in on the action! Our frolicking feline will actually walk to the park with us (au naturel) and hang out while we throw balls with our dog. Then, unprompted, he makes the pilgrimage home, several blocks, turns and obstacles away. Since most cats have a brain the size of an edamame bean anatomically, I find it remarkable. The sense of direction, desire to socialize, ability to navigate; mysterious and kinda miraculous, too; cats are utterly cool creatures.
Here’s to your morning glory!
*Update* – I’m delighted to report that these humble bars have been viewed by you over 1 million times (crazy, but true!) many of the questions you have about them have been answered in the comments section by myself and by you! — the readers and recipe tasters. Thank you all for contributing to the community dialogue. Enjoy and Cheers to your Health.
BLUEBERRY BLISS BREAKFAST BARS (NO-BAKE, VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE, NATURALLY SWEETENED)
A delicious all natural protein bar that is gluten-free, vegan and naturally sweetened
Author: Kelly
Serves: Makes 16 bars
INGREDIENTS
- 1 + ½ cups 100% pure, uncontaminated, rolled oats certified Gluten Free
- ¾ cup whole almonds
- Heaping ½ cup dried blueberries
- ½ cup pistachios
- ⅓ cup ground flaxseed
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- ⅓ cup pepitas
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- ¼ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 cup almond butter
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line an 8"x 8" (or so) baking pan with parchment or wax paper such that the paper hangs over the edges (the pan I used is 7" x 10").
- Combine the first 8 ingredients in a large bowl and mix to combine.
- Add maple syrup or honey and apple sauce and mix to combine.
- Add almond butter to mixture and mix until combined.
- Place batter in prepared pan pressing down firmly with palm of hands (or mini-roller if you have one) and distributing as evenly as possible.
- Allow pan to sit in freezer for approximately 1 hour.
- Remove pan from freezer. Lift singular slab from pan by lifting up on paper. Set slab down and gently peel paper away. Slice slab diagonally into 8 long bars and then cut each long bar in half to create a total of 16 bars. I find these bars keep best in a sealed container/bag in the freezer.
NOTES
The Crumble Factor - all natural bars do not contain fillers and binders that allow the bars to gel together the way manufactured commercials bars do. You will sacrifice some integrity (and have to put up with some crumbling) but on balance, I think the natural bar is worth the slight inconvenience. Outside the freezer these bars do not do as well but you could use travelling/lunchbox ice packs to keep them together somewhat.
Substitutions & Deletions - you can substitute any nut/seed of choice (or nut/seed butter) or dried fruit as desired (sliced apricot, cranberries, cherries, dates & fig are all delicious here). However if you remove ingredient classes without replacing them, these bars will not work in the
Substitutions & Deletions - you can substitute any nut/seed of choice (or nut/seed butter) or dried fruit as desired (sliced apricot, cranberries, cherries, dates & fig are all delicious here). However if you remove ingredient classes without replacing them, these bars will not work in the
same way.
Are Oats really Gluten Free? - pure oatmeal does not contain gluten however many commercially sold oats do due to cross-contamination issues. If you are gluten sensitive or have celiac disease, be sure to seek out certified 'gluten-free' oatmeal.
Are Oats really Gluten Free? - pure oatmeal does not contain gluten however many commercially sold oats do due to cross-contamination issues. If you are gluten sensitive or have celiac disease, be sure to seek out certified 'gluten-free' oatmeal.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving size: 52 grams Calories: 232 Fat: 16.2 g Saturated fat: 1.6 g Trans fat: 0Carbohydrates: 15.2 g Sugar: 5.1 g Sodium: 2 mg Fiber: 3.8 Protein: 8.1 gCholesterol: 0 mg
A bowl of goodness!
Try not to eat all all the batter!
Press down firmly so that everything sticks together
Voila! your slab ready to be cut into bars
Topics: Weight Loss
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