7Apr, 24

CFC’s FAVORITE Trail Mix Granola Bars

Name: CFC's FAVORITE Trail Mix Granola Bars
Yield: 12 bars
Ingredients: 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa; 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/2 cup golden raisins, or regular raisins; 1/2 cup raw pistachios, coarsely chopped; 1/2 cup dark chopped chocolate, coarsely chopped or dark chocolate chips; 1/2 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup; zest and juice of 1 fresh orange; 2 Tbsps creamy all-natural nut butter, or sunflower seed butter; 2 Tbsps melted grass-fed butter, ghee, or unrefined coconut oil; 2 tsps vanilla extract

Posted in Food Prep, Quick 'n Easy, Recipes, Snacks by Rachel Maser

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CFC’s FAVORITE Trail Mix Granola Bars

If you love Trail Mix & Granola, you’re going to ADORE these energy packed bars!

Crunchy, nutty, chewy, and slightly sweet. You’ve just found your new favorite grab-n-go snack to fuel all of your adventures.

These Trail Mix Granola Bars are absolutely amazing! I keep them in the freezer and enjoy them slightly frozen. What a treat!

Completely packed with energy through complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, along with an impressive amount of fiber too!

These are EXCELLENT for someone who is active, hiking, training, intense sports, physical job, or maybe someone just trying to get a big dose of nutrients in a little bar that tastes like a treat.

As long as your kids aren’t allergic to nuts or seeds, I think these are an AWESOME grab-and-go breakfast or snack for them (and you) alongside some protein such as a boiled egg.

What is it about Quinoa?

✅ If you haven’t tried quinoa yet, now is the time! And if you HAVE tried it and didn’t love it, try it again …
… and this time be sure to rinse the quinoa granules first using a fine mesh strainer – since that can help with the bitter/earthy flavor some varieties can have!

🔥 Quinoa has earned superfood status because of its impressive nutritional profile.

It’s a good source of several important minerals, and it appears to help lower blood sugar levels AND aid in weight loss because it’s packed with protein and fiber.

🌾 Even though it’s considered a grain, it’s not really a grain (it’s a seed) – and that means it can be enjoyed by people who are sensitive to gluten.

REFERENCE:
Medical News Today
HealthLine

➡️Rachel’s Tips:

🍊Don’t skip the fresh orange zest and juice. Fresh orange brightens up these bars in such a beautiful way.

🍒Many health food stores, and Amazon carry apple juice sweetened raisins, or unsweetened raisins.

🍯 The sweetness factor is such a PERSONAL preference, so please consider this when adding in raw honey, or pure maple syrup.

Depending on your taste, you may want a bit more or less.

➡️When shopping for ingredients:

Look for a higher percentage of cacao for the chocolate chips, and always read through the ingredients.
There are usually lots of questions about chocolate brands – I like to visit the specialty (nicer) chocolate section at the stores and find a really high quality, (often organic) dark chocolate bar on SALE – so I’m often trying something different and new because the sales dictate my purchase.

🍫A high-quality dark chocolate bar works great too! I’ll often find a beautiful organic dark chocolate bar on sale, then chop it up to use for things like this.

I like to buy the highest quality I can find when it’s on SALE! I’m always keeping an eye out for a good deal and will often stock up when a high-quality product is on special.

Use any dark chocolate chips of your choice: the higher cacao percentage = more health benefits.

🧠 Everything You Need To Know About Oats

Is Flaxseed healthy?

🍪You’ll love these recipes too:

The Kitchen Sink Monster Breakfast Cookies

Rachel’s Homemade (copycat) Aussie Bites

12 bars

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa
1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup golden raisins, or regular raisins
1/2 cup raw pistachios, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dark chopped chocolate, coarsely chopped or dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup
zest and juice of 1 fresh orange
2 Tbsps creamy all-natural nut butter, or sunflower seed butter
2 Tbsps melted grass-fed butter, ghee, or unrefined coconut oil
2 tsps vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, quinoa, flaxseed, cinnamon, sea salt, raisins, pistachios, and chocolate chips.

In a small saucepan add the honey, orange zest and juice, nut butter, ghee or oil and vanilla.

Place over low heat and stir continuously until well combined and just warmed.

Pour your warm honey mixture over the oats in the bowl and thoroughly stir to combine.

Transfer the granola mixture to your prepared pan and press to an even thickness, going all the way through the corners.

Bake at 350 degrees f. for 15-17 minutes, or just until nicely golden on the top.

Allow your bars to completely cool before slicing.
Store leftovers tightly sealed, for 10 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Enjoy!
❤️Rachel