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Let me just put this out there, I strongly dislike FaceTime.
Like, is it just me or does everyone look really, well, not cute, over the phone? Maybe it’s just me, but oh my gosh, FaceTime is so not a fun thing. I look at myself in that little box and think “man, I am SO white”.
UGH.
And then I start thinking, well, if it wasn’t snowing and twenty degrees outside, maybe I wouldn’t be so white in the middle of May.
Again, UGH. Remind me to never FaceTime again…or well, at least not to accept a FaceTime call again.
So why all the chatter about FaceTime? Long story short is that my younger brother Malachi (Kai) is in Cleveland for the summer and since I was lame this Mother’s Day I needed a last-minute gift for my grandma (because she is extra special and needs a grandma/Mother’s Day combo!). This is where Kai enters in. Originally, I asked Kai if he would get me flowers + a card and give them to my grandma for me (she lives in Cleveland too), but then we got to thinking, that’s pretty unoriginal. So, I told Kai he should make her a dessert. Who would not love dessert (I made my mom this cake and I am pretty positive it was her most favorite part of her day…maybe even her week)? Especially, Special K-Bars because everyone LOVES Special K-Bars and they could not be easier…
Or well, that’s what I thought anyway. This whole experience with trying to walk Kai through (via FaceTime) making one of the simplest desserts on this planet made me rethink all those recipes I went and called “idiot proof“. Let’s just say that from now on, before I go calling anything idiot proof I am having my brothers test out the recipe. I feel like there could not be a better TRUE tester than the brothers.
Anyway, I ended up having a 30-minute FaceTime call with my brother, my cousin and my aunt + uncle since he is staying at their house. It was fun to get to see those guys and everything, but man, it was just weird seeing myself in that little box.
I do realize I sound semi-crazy. I can accept that.
And now I bet you are wondering how the heck this all ties into these AMAZING MAGICAL bars. And I use magical in a serious way here guys. No messing around.
These bars are actually inspired my Nonnie’s recipe for Special K-Bars, only I went ahead and made them health bars that taste like dessert…maybe even something better, if that is possible. My mom says to add that these are honestly one of her top five recipes on the blog.
Seriously.
And they are no bake, no fuss + minimal mess and cleanup. Promise I am not messing with you. This is all true.
This also makes them perfect for upcoming hot summer days, quick last-minute picnics, perfect pick up party dessert or just for snacking on all summer long, cause like I said, these are health bars. Say hello to that bathing suite with a big side of chocolate. Oh yeah.
So here are all the details. The chocolate almond butter superfood seed bars are gluten-free, vegan (swap maple syrup if you are vegan and do not use honey), almost completely raw (and easily made raw if that’s your thing) and full of seeds, nuts and sweetness that will leave you feeling amazing… and even make your skin just a little prettier too!!
See, I told you, these bars are magical.
Oh and if you are wondering, Kai’s bars turned out awesome and I hear they were a hit. Pat on the back for some serious brother sister team work there!
10 Minute Magical Chocolate Almond Butter Super Food Seed Bars.
Servings: 24 Bars
Calories Per Serving: 307 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw buckwheat I like using Bobs Red Mill
- 1 cup raw or roasted pistachios if using raw, add 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup chia seeds
- 1/2 cup cocoa nibs
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
- 1 cup + 1 heaping tablespoon creamy almond butter divided
- 1 cup honey use maple syrup if vegan
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar * may sub granulated sugar
- 3 cups dark chocolate chips use vegan chocolate if needed
Instructions
- Rub a 9x13 inch baking dish with coconut or olive oil.
- In a medium bowl, combine the buckwheat, pistachios, coconut, slivered almonds, chia seeds, cocoa nibs and hemp seeds. Add a pinch of salt if using raw pistachios.
- In a large pot, add the almond butter, honey and coconut sugar. Set the pot over medium heat, stirring often until melted and smooth. Once the mixture starts to bubble, let it cook 1 minute and then immediately remove from the heat.
- Working quickly, add the seed/nut mix to the almond butter mixture and stir until combined. Press into the prepared the pan.
- Melt the chocolate chips with 1 heaping tablespoon almond butter in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth or melt over low heat on the stove. Pour the melted chocolate/almond butter over the bars and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle the top with cocoa nibs if desired, cover and place in the fridge for 1-2 hours or until firm.
- Cut into 18-24 bars. Store for up to 1 week in the fridge or 4 days on the counter in a cool place. My family personally loves these straight from the fridge!
Notes
*I purchase my coconut sugar (along with pretty much all the nuts/seeds listed here) from [Amazon | http://www.amazon.com/Nutiva-Organic-Sugar-Coconut-Count/dp/B009324C0U/ref=sr_1_2?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1431304135&sr=1-2&keywords=coconut+sugar].
But really, you see that thick layer of chocolate?? It’s all dark – and all goodness!
These do look delicious, but i think it would be nice to be made aware of the calorie content in these- much as they contain nutritious ingredients, after adding up the calorie content of the bars (if you divide into 24) it comes to about 245 per bar!
Sometimes its difficult to tell when things are called ‘healthy’ that although they are better than processed/ junk food they can still contain a lot of calories.
Wow these are awesome! Super yummy! Really easy to make and healthy too. Tastes kind of like a snickers bar 😮 (yay). Next time i will lessen the amount of honey/sugar because it was a little too sweet for my liking, but still super super awesome. Chocolaty, sweet, crunchy, chewy….. love it <3
Btw i really love your photography, omg!
Hey lady!
I just found your gorgeous website. Super excited to make these someday soon. I have a background in nutrition & baking and these are definitely going to be a hit with my friends and family. Quick question, what would you suggest for flavor/texture to replace the buckwheat? I’ve been grain-free these days. 1/2 C. pistachios + 1/2 C. coconut? Or more almonds, possibly make almond meal to add to it?
I look forward to browsing all these great recipes (and beautiful photography!).
All the best,
Allison
Hey Allison!!
Thank you so much for your kind words!! So flattered!
I would just go with 1/2 cup pistachios and 1/2 cup coconut, that sounds perfect to me! Really hope you love the bars and anything else you try! 🙂
any idea of calorie/nutritional count? Thanks!
I am sorry, I don’t have that, but it can be calculated online.
1. Your blog is incredible
2. I love the names of your food and that they are soooo long:)
3. I love sun and summer, and feel awful for you and the weather you are enduring
4. Your photography skills are phenomenal
5. I currently have 6 tabs open to pages on your site of recipes to import, and I just imported several others…
6. I made these bars last week. I was super doubtful using uncooked buckwheat. Which I only had kasha (toasted buckwheat?) on hand and it has a really strong distinct flavor that made me even more skeptical to make them. I also didn’t have hemp seeds so I used sesame seeds instead-THEY WERE FABULOUS! Except I’d line the dish with parchment paper because they stuck to my greased glass Pyrex like crazy.
7. Keep up the incredible work Tieghan!
OH MY GOSH!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! This is such a beyond sweet comment, I am flattered! I hope you love everything you try and thanks again!
Hi Tieghan, these look delicious!
I love that Kai rolled with your Mothers/Grandmothers day idea! Your writing is beautifully descriptive and having two brothers, I can so relate. Your photo’s are gorgeous too.
Thank you for the ideas on substituting the buckwheat 🙂
These look amazing! I’m curious though, how much do the ingredients cost roughly? Maybe these things are just pricey where I live but I wonder where I could find a cup of almond butter, for example, for less than $10.
Hi! Yes, these items are surely a bit pricey, for a cheaper version you can use peanut butter in place of almond butter. Sorry if these are a bit out of your price range.
Don’t be sorry! I love the stuff. I just try to calculate if some things are cheaper to buy as a ready made product. Student living. 🙂
Hi – Almond butter is way overpriced IMHO! I now make my own regularly and it is actually easy. Because I am not using organic almonds (too expensive for me) I can buy bulk almonds for 4.99/lb. At that price, a batch of almond butter costs me approx $5.50. 4 cups of almonds yields almost 3 cups of butter. With no sugar or other nasty additives! Yeah!! Love it –
And these bars are truly amazing, Tieghan! My friends inhaled them over Memorial day and really raved. And it is a huge batch, I froze some so I don’t eat all the rest at once! Another keeper, really delish!
Fellow ex-Ohioan by way of Cleveland. I am going to try to make these, but I can’t find raw buckwheat. I found buckwheat flour and roasted buckwheat. Any suggestions or substitutions? Thank you. Your photographs are simply beautiful and your recipes/food delicious!
I am sure roasted buckwheat would be fine, but you can just double the amount of pistachios, coconut or triple the amount of chia seeds. Does that help??
This recipe is right up my alley, I love, love, love everything in it. I have been adding buckwheat to everything lately and eat almond butter, chia seeds and hemp seeds nearly daily and chocolate, well of course who doesn’t?
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous and I love the little pink flowers on top. So yummy and beautiful!
Thank you so much, Jen!!! 🙂 Have a great Friday and weekend!
This bars looks extremely delicious! And photos are beautiful 🙂
Thank you SO much!! 🙂
i can definitely admire them from here. 🙂
Thank you!
I love love love these so much!! I just did a mental tally of my kitchen to see if i had everything to make them right now. Also love your comment re: FaceTime…. the same thought always goes through my head!! Big love. xo
Thank you so much, Lynsey!! Glad to know I am not the only re the whole facetime thing! Hope you love the bars!
These look awesome, but as I’m on a prot
Thanks Cathy!
Should we use slivered or sliced almonds? The recipe says slivered, but the photo shows sliced… thanks.
Either will will work, but I used sliced.
Hope you love these, thanks!!
Magical indeed, that top layer of chocolate is just too good! I love that you walked your brother through a recipe – what a great idea to have them test out future recipes. If they can do it, anyone can ;).
Haha! I know, right? It is so thick!
Thanks Laura!!