inspired 'kind' bars
Ever since I knew that making my own granola/muesli bars was so easy, I've never went back to the overly-processed mushy, bland versions. And then, along came KIND nutrition bars. With a variety of unique flavors, they're totally appetizing in their clear and colorful packaging. Seeing the bars of whole nuts and especially the chocolate drizzle and base was an easy sell to my kids! Still better than the other bars, there's still sugar and the cost of these to consider. So here is my version after many attempts.
ingredients
1 cup dates, pits removed and soaked in water for 10 minutes to soften
1/4 cup chia seeds
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 cup mixed raw walnuts, pecans, pumpkin of sunflower seeds, large unsweetened coconut flakes or dried fruit
1/2 cup puffed millet quinoa or kamut
1 cup raw whole almonds
FOR THE CHOCO DRIZZLE
1/4 cup cacao or 100% cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup, room temperature
1/8 tsp smoked chipotle powder or cinnamon, optional
method
Drain the dates and place in a food processor with the chia seeds and maple syrup. Process into a paste. Add the mixed nuts/seeds/coconut/fried fruit and the puffed grain and pulse until the mixture starts to stick together.
Add the almonds. Pulse a few times to combine, but keeping these nuts in larger chunks.
Press this mixture evenly into a baking dish lined with wax or parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder, melted coconut oil, and syrup until smooth and combined. Drizzle on top of the bars in a sweeping motion.
Freeze for an hour. Cut and wrap them in parchment paper for handy portions. Keep refrigerated.
