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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!
Any substitute for Buckwheat that may work just as well?
HI! You can swap the buckwheat for an equal amount of raw rolled oats or additional nuts. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! x Tieghan
I made these and they were a hit with everyone I shared them with!!! I was initially a bit scared of all the ingredients that were new to me (like buckwheat and hemp seeds) because I didn’t know what it would taste like but actually it all tasted amazing! I had to leave out the almonds because the package of almonds exploded all over my kitchen when I tried to open it, but they were still amazing! I especially loved the texture the coconut provided and btw didn’t think they were too sweet at all, like other commenters! Exactly the right amount.
Almond butter is so expensive though! I bought a jar and it wasn’t enough so I just filled the rest in with peanut butter.
I am thrilled you loved this Cati! Thank you so much! I know, almond butter can get super expensive.. If you happen to have a Trader Joe’s near you I think their raw almond butter is less expensive than a lot of other stores! Hope that helps!
Is this buckwheat groats or flour? They look amazing!
Hey Christy,
For this recipe I used the buckwheat groats. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Enjoy your recipes. Made these and they are big! Want to cut into smaller pieces. Can they be frozen so I can enjoy them longer?
Awesome article. I read your posts pretty regularly and you always do a good
job articulating the whatever topic you’re writing about.
Btw, I shared this on Twitter and my followers loved
it. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! So nice of you to share!
Thanks so much!! Happy to hear you like the content!! Thanks a ton for sharing!!
Hi. I made these but, upon eating them, found them ‘way too sweet. Next time I will try them with no sugar and 1/2 c of honey and see how they go. I loved the texture.
Sorry they were to sweet!! I think that should help! Hope they are better next time! Thanks Val!
Love these!! Do you have a nutritional run down on these?
Thank you! I am sorry, but I do not have the Nutrition for these bars. If you are interested you can calculate them online. Sorry I could not help more!!
That is a bit to much sugar forme could I cut down or leve the sugar out ?
Hi Christine! Sure, you can omit the sugar, but just know that these will not be very sweet. Let me know of you have questions. Thanks so much! ?
I’m interested in making this, but I usually use buckwheat after the groats are boiled. How do you keep raw groats in this without them destroying your teeth? They’re really hard grains so I’m wondering how they work in this, much appreciated if you could explain!
Hi Elsie!
So for me personally, I like to leave the groats raw in these bars. They provide great crunch, but are not overwhelming when mixed with the other ingredients. If you would prefer, you can soak the groats overnight to help soften them. Let me know if you have any other questions. Hope you love these. Thanks! 🙂
Can flour be used in place of the buckwheat?
I stumbled across your site and this recipe completely by accident the other night during one of my nine month old’s sleepless nights..I just HAD to try it! AND I did! WOW!!! My new favorite go to breakfast, since I also have a 2 yr old and they don’t let me even drink my coffee!! (Mommy problems!! LOL) I make a lot of raw bars and like to keep them in the fridge so I can just pull it out and eat while chasing the kids…but THESE also give me a much needed boost and taste amazing!! I did cut out the sugar tho, and they still tasted amazing! Thank you! 🙂 I’ll be visiting your site more often! 🙂
awe! THANK YOU!! Thrilled you loved these!! 🙂
AHH So happy you found my site and like it! Thank you so much!! Excited to hear from you more often (:
Im so happy you found me!! I hope you enjoy all the posts!!
Hello
These look great! Would you have the nutritional value available please?
Thanks
Thank you! I am sorry, I do not. If you are interest you can calculate it online, but this is just not something I do. Sorry I could not help. Thanks again!
It appears that there are sunflower seeds in the first picture but you did not mention them in the ingredients list. Am I missing something?
I opted out of the frosting and tossed in a handful of the dark chocolate chips I had bought to make it. I also used half the almond butter and honey and these still turned out tasty and sweet (but not too sweet 🙂 ). I also added dried blueberries and cherries for an extra nutritional boost. These are awesome and I can’t wait to play around with different add ins.
I have made quite a few dishes from your lovely blog and have been totally impressed by the presentation and care you take with your pictures and recipes and completely blown away by how delicious each dish I’ve made turned out (the Mango Berry Dream Salad is my current fave). I was wondering if you have to cook the buckwheat that this recipe calls for. The only buckwheat I found looked like it was supposed to be cooked. I bought Buckwheat Groats from Bob’s Red Mill but am not totally sure that’s the raw buckwheat I should be using.
Thank you for creating such a gorgeous site!
-Geniene
Hi Geniene!!
Thank you so much for you kind words, I am so flattered!!
You bought the right buckwheat, that is exactly what I use! I do not cook it, but if you wanted extra flavor you can toast the buckwheat on a baking sheet in a single layer in a 300 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Either way is great! Let me know if you have any other questions. THANKS!!
great recipe! I am trying to watch sugar though and wanted something healthy and chocolate to go with my coffee!
These bars are so easy!! I made them with half of the honey, sugar, and almond Butter… Too keep cals and sugar down. And did only one cup of chips on the top. Obviously mine probably aren’t as decadent but they Are still very tasty!! Thank you!
SO happy you loved the bars! THANK YOU!