Chocolate Trail Mix Bars: A Nutty Delight with a Chocolate Twist
Welcome back to the blog, dear readers! Today, I’m excited to share a recipe that combines hearty nuts and sweet treats in one delightful snack — Chocolate Trail Mix Bars. Whether you need a quick energy boost during a busy day or just want something sweet that’s also packed with nutrients, these bars are perfect. Plus, they’re easy to make!
Ingredients:
- Nuts & Seeds:
- 1/4 cup each of cashews, peanuts, almonds, and pecans
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Sweet and Fruity:
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup puffed rice cereal
- Sweeteners and Fats:
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Chocolate Layer:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
- Pre-heat Oven:
- Set your oven to 325 degrees F (163 degrees C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper and set aside for later use.
- Prep Bars:
- Start by giving all the nuts a gentle chop to break them into smaller pieces. This helps in mixing and ensures every bite has a crunchy nuttiness.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped nuts with chia seeds and puffed rice cereal. Add the maple syrup and honey, and mix everything until well coated.
- Bake:
- Transfer the nut mixture to your prepared baking dish. Flatten it into an even layer using a spatula or the back of a measuring cup. Bake in the pre-heated oven for 35 minutes, until the mixture is nicely toasted.
- Cool:
- After baking, let the dish rest in the oven for 5 minutes. Then, remove and let it cool for about 45-50 minutes at room temperature or 20-30 minutes in the fridge if you’re in a hurry.
- Melt Chocolate:
- Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a double boiler or a microwave-safe dish. Melt them together until smooth and glossy. If using a microwave, heat in 15-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Spread Chocolate:
- Once the base has completely cooled, gently turn it over on the parchment paper. Spread the melted chocolate over it in an even layer. Refrigerate for another 10-20 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
- Cut Bars:
- With a sharp knife, cut the set mixture into bars. Make sure the knife is very sharp to get clean cuts through the nutty base and chocolate layer.
Nutritional Info:
- Calories: 220 kcal per bar
- Servings: 12 bars
Prep and Cooking Times:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
These Chocolate Trail Mix Bars are not only a delicious treat but also a fantastic way to incorporate more nuts and seeds into your diet. They store well, so you can make a batch ahead of time and have a tasty, nutritious snack on hand whenever you need it. Enjoy them at home, pack them for a hike, or share them at your next gathering. Happy baking!
Chocolate Trail Mix Bars
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Chocolate Trail Mix Bars combine the crunch of freshly chopped nuts and the sweetness of dried cranberries with a luxurious layer of melted chocolate. This snack not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also provides a nutritious energy boost, ideal for midday slumps or pre-workout.
These bars are not only delicious but also a visual treat. Laid out on a rustic wooden board and cut into neat bars, they make a fantastic photograph for any food blog or social media platform. Their rich texture and diverse ingredients offer a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.
Ingredients
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup pecans
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup puffed rice cereal
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
Pre-heat Oven: Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Prep Bars: Give all of the nuts a gentle chop. Add them all to a medium-sized bowl with chia seeds and puffed rice cereal and give a quick mix. Add maple syrup and honey and give a good mix, ensuring that it is all well coated.
Bake: Add the nut mixture to the parchment paper-lined baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a measuring cup to flatten the nut mixture into an even layer. Bake for 35 minutes.
Cool: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let rest in the dish for 5 minutes. Then remove from the baking dish and let cool for at least 45-50 minutes at room temperature or for 20-30 minutes in the fridge.
Melt Chocolate: Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to either a double boiler or a small microwaveable safe dish and melt. If melting in the microwave, microwave for 15 seconds and then mix, and microwave for another 15 seconds and mix until it is completely melted.
Spread Chocolate: Once completely cooled, remove the baked nut mixture from the fridge (or freezer) and gently turn it over. Spread the melted chocolate in an even layer. Return to fridge for 10-20 minutes (or the freezer) to let the chocolate set.
Cut Bars: Once the chocolate has set, use a very sharp knife to gently cut it into bars. Store in a cool dry place, or in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 220 kcal