I recently heard about a new trend in energy bars that contains lentils as the main ingredient (check out "Genkibar"). Although I have yet to try any of these new products, I knew that the creators of them had the right idea. Lentils are a fantastic ingredient because of their fibre, protein, blood sugar balancing, and heart friendly components, all of which are neccessary in an energy bar. Lentils also have the bonus of soaking up all of the flavor of what you mix them with, making them an excellent choice for any meal. These energy bars are rich with peanut butter and chocolate flavor, and filled with various nuts, grains, and of course lentils. Although these do use cooked lentils, they are no bake, which makes them fairly easy to throw together. Because there are no perservatives in these bars, they will only last about 1 week in the fridge, UNLESS you put them in the freezer. The nice thing about keeping them in the freezer is that you can place them in your lunch bag in the morning to keep other things cool, while they dethaw, ready to eat at lunch time.
Ingredients (makes 6 bars):
1 cup cooked lentils (completely drained, and patted dry)
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown rice syrup (you can also use agave, or a mixture of both)
1 1/2 cups oats
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
2 tbsp cocoa nibs (optional), OR 1/8 cup mini chocolate chips, or 1 tbsp cocoa powder (all are equally chocolate-y)
1) In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together, except for the lentils, peanut butter, brown rice syrup and oats. Set aside.
2) In a pot, stir together the peanut butter and syrup, bringing it to a boil over low heat. Add the lentils and oats and stir till combined. Pour this mixture over the remaining mixture, and fold together with a spatula until well combined. Press this mixture into a 8 x 10 glass baking dish that has been very lightly greased (with olive oil). Place this mixture in the fridge and allow to set for about 3 hours. Slice into bars, and keep in the fridge for about a week, or in the freezer for months. Enjoy!
1 cup cooked lentils (completely drained, and patted dry)
1 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup brown rice syrup (you can also use agave, or a mixture of both)
1 1/2 cups oats
1/3 cup chopped almonds
1 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
2 tbsp cocoa nibs (optional), OR 1/8 cup mini chocolate chips, or 1 tbsp cocoa powder (all are equally chocolate-y)
1) In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together, except for the lentils, peanut butter, brown rice syrup and oats. Set aside.
2) In a pot, stir together the peanut butter and syrup, bringing it to a boil over low heat. Add the lentils and oats and stir till combined. Pour this mixture over the remaining mixture, and fold together with a spatula until well combined. Press this mixture into a 8 x 10 glass baking dish that has been very lightly greased (with olive oil). Place this mixture in the fridge and allow to set for about 3 hours. Slice into bars, and keep in the fridge for about a week, or in the freezer for months. Enjoy!
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