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Pistachio Cranberry Energy Bars

Pistachio Cranberry Energy Bars | Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

 

Yesterday was a busy day!  I found out that I get to travel to NYC as a winner of a contest.  I am super excited, as I have always wanted to go to NYC.  It is during the week, in just a couple weeks time.  So yesterday was spent trying to organize child care for my 8 year old.  I work from home, so I am always able to get him to and from school each day.  Luckily, I had a great friend who is willing to help out for the 3 days I am gone.  Then I am gone the next week for a conference, and my son doesn’t have school.  We found cheap flights, and my mom is going to fly here to help out.  So nice to be surrounded by such wonderful people!

Homemade Energy Bars with Pistachios, Cranberries, Oats, Quinoa, and Almond Butter | Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Needless to say, with all the scrambling yesterday there wasn’t much thought put into snacks or even lunch.  Days like that I am happy to have quick and healthy snacks around that I can just grab and not think too much about.  I know I am getting something that will fill me up, that isn’t just junk.  I have done quite a few homemade granola and energy bars here on the blog before.  This one is even more packed full of good for you ingredients; oats, quinoa, pistachios, agave, almond butter and more.

Pistachio-Cranberry Energy Bars | Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts

These energy bars are pretty quick to make.  You bake the oats and quinoa for a few minutes, and then just mix everything together and bake again.  In about 30 minutes, you can have snacks on hand for the whole week.  Plus you can change up the combinations so you don’t get bored.  Use peanut butter, peanuts and raisins one time.  Or try almonds instead of pistachios.

Yield: 16

Pistachio Cranberry Energy Bars

Homemade Energy Bars with Pistachios, Cranberries, Oats, Quinoa, and Almond Butter | Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Quick and easy homemade energy bars filled with oats, quinoa, dried cranberries, and pistachios.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries, , chopped
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, , chopped
  • 2 Tbls flaxseed meal
  • 1 oz mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 6 Tbls agave nectar, (honey would work too)
  • 1 Tbls coconut oil, (or a vegetable oil)
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. In a baking sheet, spread oats and quinoa in a single layer. Bake for 8 minutes or until just starting to turn brown. Remove from oven and cool.
  3. In a large bowl mix together oat mixture, cranberries, pistachios, flaxseed meal, and chocolate.
  4. In a small saucepan combine almond butter, agave, coconut oil, and salt. Heat over medium. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour over oat mixture, stirring until everything is well coated.
  6. Press firmly into prepared baking dish.
  7. Bake for 13 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
  8. Remove from oven and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Adapted from Cooking Light

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 174Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 0mgSodium 55mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 3gSugar 9gProtein 5g

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Erin S
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Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction

Thursday 24th of April 2014

I love using pistachios in energy bars! These sound so good!

heather

Thursday 24th of April 2014

What could I use in place of almond butter? I'm allergic to almonds.

Erin S

Thursday 24th of April 2014

You could try Sunbutter or if peanuts are safe you could use peanut butter.

Susan Monk

Thursday 24th of April 2014

congrats on your trip - these bars sound very good - I assume I could add some protein powder to these also

Erin S

Thursday 24th of April 2014

You could easily add some of your favorite protein powder!

Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files

Thursday 24th of April 2014

Congratulations on your winning contest!! That is such fun news to receive! And these bars could definitely keep my family powering throug the day! Yum!

Amy N

Thursday 24th of April 2014

What does "dropped" mean next to the cranberries? Is it suppose to be chopped?

Erin S

Thursday 24th of April 2014

Fixed! Sorry about that.

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