Amaranth Energy Bars

Amaranth Energy Bars are a delightful and nutritious snack, perfect for on-the-go energy boosts or a healthy treat. Puffed amaranth, with its light and airy texture, serves as an excellent base for these bars, providing a rich source of protein, fiber, and essential amino acids. Combined with nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, these bars offer a satisfying crunch and natural sweetness, making them an ideal snack for any time of the day.

Ingredients

1 cup puffed amaranth
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup almonds, chopped
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (for a vegan option)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
A pinch of salt

Instruction

Preparation: Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the puffed amaranth, oats, chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Warm Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the coconut oil. Add the honey (or maple syrup) and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
Combine: Pour the warm liquid mixture over the dry ingredients in the bowl. Mix thoroughly until everything is well coated and sticky.
Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press down firmly with the back of a spoon or a spatula to compact the mixture as much as possible. This helps the bars to hold together after cooling.
Chill: Refrigerate the dish for at least 2 hours, or until the mixture is firm and solid.
Slice: Using the overhanging parchment paper, lift the solid block out of the dish. Place on a cutting board and slice into bars or squares, according to your preference.

Serving Options

Enjoy these bars as is, or drizzle with melted dark chocolate for an extra layer of decadence. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for longer storage.

Nutritional Highlight

Puffed amaranth is not only gluten-free but also packed with essential nutrients, making these bars a powerhouse of energy. Almonds and pumpkin seeds add healthy fats and protein, while dried fruits offer natural sweetness and fiber.

Enjoy your homemade Amaranth Energy Bars as a nutritious snack that fuels your body and satisfies your sweet tooth!

For more new, classic, and original puffed grain recipes, visit Grainwellfoods.com. Grainwell is the leading US producer of high-quality ancient and traditional puffed grains.