Unprocessed Snacks: Breakfast Bars and Energy Bites

Is snack time a problem for you? Check out those unprocessed snacks – Chocolate Avocado Breakfast Bars and Power Bites. Each are vegan and gluten-free.

You could recall I’m collaborating within the October Unprocessed problem. All through the month of October, I pledged to steer clear of all processed meals. Soups appear to be a great way to maintain foods (see Orange Bell Pepper Soup with Roasted Broccoli), however snacks proved to be an actual take a look at of my dedication.

The Problem: Discovering Unprocessed Snacks

Truthfully, I’m no longer that a lot of a snacker. I do, alternatively, appear to depend on protein bars. They’re easiest after exercises and after I’m working errands or racing out the door at eight a.m. on a Saturday morning for a football recreation. I additionally throw them in my backpack after I’m touring – starvation all the time moves when meals isn’t simply out there.

The protein bars I love do NOT move the October Unprocessed kitchen take a look at. Bars that do are typically method too candy for me or they contain peanut butter (blech). My project was once to search out simply moveable unprocessed snacks, e.g. protein bar replacements.

Snack 1: Chocolate Avocado Breakfast Bars

The primary recipe I attempted was once Cooking at the Weekends’ Chocolate Avocado Breakfast Bars. Containing oats, almond meal, coconut, darkish chocolate, and avocado, they had been scrumptious and filling. I additionally had my first revel in popping amaranth (see video on Instagram). Who knew that you must do this type of factor?!

Recipe Guidelines:

• I like darkish chocolate, however no longer for breakfast. The bars labored rather well for me later within the day.
• If you happen to’re vegan, you’ll want to exchange the honey in those bars with a vegan-friendly sweetener.
• I used coconut chips as an alternative of shredded coconut they usually burned a bit of. I believe subsequent time I’ll upload within the coconut when there’s about five mins of oven time left.
• One small avocado as an alternative of part a big one works positive. That method you gained’t have an avocado part left over to show brown to your fridge.

Dietary data (in keeping with bar): 219 energy, 14g fats (8g saturated), 1mg ldl cholesterol, 103mg sodium, 23g carb, 3g fiber, 9g sugar, 4g protein

Snack 2: Power Bites

The following recipe I attempted in my quest for unprocessed snacks was once Blank Consuming Kitchen’s Power Bites. The great factor about this recipe is that it’s utterly versatile. You’ll use no matter nuts, seeds, gluten-free flour, or form of oats you could have available.

My explicit power chunk mixture was once 1 cup cashews, half of cup sunflower seeds, half of cup coconut flour, 10 dates, 1/four cup coconut oil, and a couple of teaspoons cinnamon. This protein bar alternative was once tasty and no longer too candy – simply the best way I love it!

Recipe Guidelines:

• The recipe requires 1 to two tablespoons coconut oil, however my power bites didn’t hang in combination till I added extra. Get started with the minimal quantity and upload extra if important.
• I used a 1 ¼-inch cookie dough scoop and were given 24 power bites.
• Subsequent time I’ll use rolled oats as an alternative of the coconut flour, however since I had simply made the Chocolate Avocado Breakfast Bars they usually had oats, I made up our minds to take a look at one thing other.

Dietary data (in keeping with chunk): 108 energy, 6g fats (3g saturated), 0mg ldl cholesterol, 7mg sodium, 11g carb, 2g fiber, 7g sugar, 2g protein