Homemade Energy Bars!

I wanted to share my homemade Quinoa, Date and Almond Energy Bars with you, as I am passionate about natural nutrition and know many triathletes out there are too! These are perfect for your long rides, morning tea or even as a quick snack after training if you're on the run. There's no need to buy expensive, processed, sugar-filled bars when you can whip these up in 10 minutes!

 

Quinoa, Date and Almond Energy Bars

Ingredients:

- 1 tablespoon coconut oil (or use coconut oil spray if you can source it)
- 1 cup quinoa flakes

- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped 

- 1/2 cup honey 

- 1/4 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

- 10-12 dried dates, chopped

Method:

1. Preheat grill.
2. Place quinoa, coconut and almonds onto a lightly greased baking tray and toast for 7-10 minutes, stirring mid-way.
3. Pour toasted mix into a large bowl and stir through dates.
4. In a medium saucepan, add vanilla, honey and salt and bring to the boil (about 4-5 minutes until thick), stirring constantly. The key is in the honey - make sure you have a dark brown syrup.
5. Pour hot syrup over dry mix and combine thoroughly.
6. Grease a cookie sheet pan or cake tin with coconut oil.
7. Pour mixture into greased pan and press firmly until flat (grease your hands with coconut oil to prevent sticking). Sprinkle with left over coconut. 
8. Once at room temperature, cut into bars. Makes 10-12 serves or cut into bite sizes to fill your bento box with natural goodness!

For more great ideas, visit Natural Nutrition Melbourne or follow me on Twitter: @natnutritionmel
 

Delicious and all natural - you are what you eat!