Author: Jackie Sobon / Plant-based Meal Prep. • FRESH OUTTA THE FRIDGE • UNDER 10 INGREDIENTS • GLUTEN FREE • SOY FREE
If, as a kid, you ever had a home-packed lunch, participated in sports, or went to daycare, chances are you ate some small “granola” bars. They were all right and served their purpose, but now it is time for the way-better adult version. These rice bars are easy to make, and great for scaling up if you want to double the recipe, depending on the occasion.
Lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch (20 x 20 cm) baking dish, then line it with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over the edges of the pan on two sides.
In a large bowl, combine the brown rice crisps, ½ cup (75 g) of the chocolate chips, and the peanuts.
Heat the agave nectar, peanut butter, flaxseed, coconut oil, and vanilla in
a small saucepan over medium-low heat until the mixture starts to liquefy.
Whisk until smooth, then remove from the heat and pour over the cereal
mixture. Fold everything together until there are no dry pockets and the
cereal is evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and pack it into an even
layer using a spatula. Refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes, or until they
have firmed up considerably (they may still be a little flexible).
Microwave the remaining ½ cup (75 g) chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl until melted, 45 to 60 seconds.
Stir melted chips until very smooth and use a fork to drizzle the chocolate over the tops of the bars.
Sprinkle with the coarse salt and refrigerate again for at least 10 minutes
Carefully pull the bars out of the dish using the parchment sling.
Cut the rectangle in half widthwise, then slice each half into five bars.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month
Notes
NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS
Per serving (1 bar):
281 calories; 19 g fat; 30 g carbohydrates; 2 g fiber; 15 g sugar; 5 g proteinHave fun with the bar mix-ins! For some added sweetness, try switching out half of the mixed-in chocolate chips
with dried cranberries or diced dates.