Cereal bars are a healthy solution and a handy snack, especially when we have to eat on the go. The mix of ingredients is something close to spectacularly delicious.
Moreover, the baked and flavored bars are a way better and healthier alternative to commercial cereal bars. The homemade cereal bars can be served with a cup of yogurt, with a cup of milk or coffee. It’s too good to miss it.
The rich consistency of the snack makes it perfectly suitable as a quick source of energy for whenever feeling down or before a workout. Also, the cereal bars are a rich source of fiber and vegetable protein, being a good substitution for a meal when we’re against the clock. 
Are cereal bars healthy?
Certainly, the cereal bars are some sort of bombs of energy and fiber. If prepared with the right ingredients, they are nothing else but healthy. Cereals are an important source of fiber, vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and selenium. No wonder it is among the best choices for both breakfast and lunch or dinner.
However, considering the fact that they are made of a mixture of nuts, chocolate, and syrups, the bars do not fit those trying to lose weight. If consumed often, the cereal bars can have the reverse effect – causing weight gain. Therefore, it is an excellent recipe for those trying to gain weight based on quality ingredients and healthy recipes.
Why prepare homemade cereal bars?
Besides being delicious, the cereal bars with puffed rice, nuts, dark chocolate, and maple syrup are healthy. Here are some of the reasons you should not miss making the cereal bars at home:
- Organic quality
- No added sugar or salt, no artificial flavors
- Baked, not fried
- Fine texture
- Ready in less than 30 minutes
If I’ve succeeded to inspire you, scroll down to see the list of ingredients and the method of preparation. By the way, it is a great alternative for dessert for the holiday season.
Ingredients for homemade cereal bars
The bars primarily consist of nuts, all kind of nuts you like most can be used for the recipe.
For this exact recipe, I used walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and pecans. All the nuts are raw. As i have previously said, you can add any other nuts you prefer. Nuts are an excellent source of monosaturated fast and other nutritional stuff. Read more from real nutritionists.
Puffed rice is such a crunchy fulfillment to the recipe. I could not find regular puffed rice so I used the rice cake. You just need to crush them to get the desired shape.
Dark chocolate to add slightly bitterness and flavor to the texture. Also, the chocolate will melt upon baking and will serve as glue for the nuts.
Maple syrup and coconut butter/oil to add sweetness and to bind all the ingredients.
How to crush the nuts?
The best cereal bars, in my opinion, are those with a great variety of mixed nuts. When baking them, the nuts become crunchier and every bite is a delight. That is why I like to crush the nuts manually instead of grinding them in a mixer. The grinder/mixer will mince the nuts too much, transforming them into a texture more similar to flour.
Therefore, line a piece of food film on a table spread the nuts, cover the nuts with the same line of food film, cover the food film with a kitchen towel, and beat it. Use a rolling pin or a meat tenderizer to crush the nuts evenly. This way you will get pieces of nuts, not flout. That is exactly what we’re looking for.
How to make the cereal bars?
Once you have crushed the nuts, put them in a bowl. Use a sharp knife to slice the dark chocolate into small pieces. Add them to the bowl. Add the puffed rice and mix everything well.
Pour 1 cup of maple syrup or agave syrup over the mixture. Add 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil over the nuts and mix well.
Line a sheet of parchment paper in a glass baking dish and pour in the composition. Cover the mixture with another sheet of parchment paper and press for the ingredients to line evenly.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Insert the baking dish and wait for it to bake for 15 minutes. Take out the dish and let it cool down before slicing the bars. You may place the cereal cake in the fridge for it to cool faster and to harden for you to be able to beautifully shape it using a knife.
Slice and serve next to a nice cup of coffee!
Cereal Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate finely chopped
- 1 cup puffed rice
- 1 cup maple syrup or agave syrup
- 3-4 tbsp coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 350 degrees
- Crush the nuts and gather them all in a bowl
- Crush the dark chocolate and add to the crushed nuts
- Add the popped rice and mix well the ingredients
- Add the maple syrup or agave syrup and stir
- Line a sheet of parchment paper over a baking dish, put in the mixture, and cover it with another parchment paper
- Press the mixture to make it even
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes
- Let cool before slicing. You may put it in the fridge for about 1 hour
- Slice and serve with pleasure
