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What is the most important thing you bring with you on travel days?
No matter where I am going, whether it’s going to be a long travel day at the airport, or a thirty minute car ride, I almost always come prepared with snacks. I developed this little habit a couple of years ago when my littler sister Asher was just in preschool. I used to spend a lot of time helping out with Asher and would often bring her along to the grocery store or wherever the heck I was going. I learned fast that snacks are always, always, needed. Ever since then I pretty much never leave my house without a bag of almonds, a granola bar, and or fresh fruit.
These superfood cashew goji berry bars are the perfect travel bar to carry with you pretty much anywhere you go. They’re full of fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats that will keep you full and help you avoid starvation…ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but they will save you from spending money buying (often unhealthy) food while you are out. Yes, please!
Remembering to pack a snack is one of my better habits. I’ve got to say, it’s often saved the day. Example 1: being stuck in traffic and realizing not only that you’re hungry, but more importantly, that your little sister who is also with you, is not only starving, but freezing from sitting outside in the snow all day while watching Red (our brother) compete (true story). Example 2: running through the airport and realizing you have zero time to stop for food. Thank God for all the snacks you packed, right?!
SIDE NOTE: my family is sending me texts of the an entire Christmas Village made up of completely chocolate over at Keystone Ski Resort right now…also it’s past nine pm as I write this and it’s snowing like crazy out right now. Ahh, one, don’t they know Christmas was like two weeks ago? Two, why are they driving to Keystone in a freaking snow storm at nine pm?! That said, it looks pretty cool and everything is made of chocolate. Cool, right? It’s a big attraction for the resort and I guess my mom and little sister wanted to see it before they take it down (in the middle of the night) tonight. So nine at night is then! PS. they might be slightly crazy, but I love their Christmas spirit. PSS. they took my dad along for the ride. He’s literally the Grinch. Wonder how that’s going…
Ok, but in all seriousness I actually first made these bars back on Christmas Day for my cousin Abby to take with her on her twenty-four hour travel day to India. She had asked me if I could make her a healthy bar so that she didn’t have to survive on airplane snacks. I gladly jumped at the chance to test out a new granola…ish bar recipe! Since she was leaving crazy early on the 26th that meant we spent some time in the kitchen on Christmas Day making these.
The first batch turned out great and I gave them to Abby to take on all of her upcoming flights, but I knew I wanted to adjust the recipe a bit. I finally got them perfected to my satisfaction and these bars are seriously addicting. I blame the cashews, sesame seeds, and pinch of salt. I mean, there are other things going on, but these flavors are the standouts. Oh, and the vanilla. I swear after the first bite you’ll question how “healthy” these bars actually are, but the truth is, they’re full of so many awesome superfoods…
…cashews
…almonds
…coconut
…sesame seeds
…quinoa
…tahini
…hemp seeds
…goji berries
So much goodness and all in one bar. Aka the most perfect anytime, anywhere, snack bar or breakfast-on-the-go bar!
Most of the bar is made in the food processor. The key is to really grind up all the nuts and seeds. Then stir in the goji berries and sprinkle on a few seeds to make the tops of the bars look all pretty. Bake. Cool. Cut. Eat.
I should warn you that the raw mix tastes almost cookie dough like, it’s slightly addicting. However, once baked, the bars flavors of toasted nuts, coconut, vanilla and sweet goji berries really shine. They’re slightly crunchy, yet chewy at the same time. In my eyes, they’re the perfect bar. They also hold up pretty well to travel. It’s import to let the bars sit until they are cool enough to handle, then cut and continue to let them cool before storing. Once cool, they should harden up nicely, and will then be easily storable.
Then you’re ready to go. Maybe share…maybe not, just be aware, I’ve made three batches and all have been gone within the first day…
Superfood Cashew Goji Berry Bars.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup raw, unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 4 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup organic honey
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried goji berries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray and then line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Toast the cashews, almonds, coconut, 1/4 cup sesame seeds, and 3 tablespoons hemp on a baking sheet, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8–12 minutes. Let cool slightly.
- Add the toasted nuts and seeds, plus the quinoa, tahini, cinnamon, and salt to a food processor or high powdered blender. Process until finely chopped.
- Bring the honey and the coconut oil to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Remove and stir in the vanilla. Pour over the cashew/seed mixture and stir to coat. Stir in the goji berries.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared 8x8 pan with the back of a greased measuring cup or wet hands. Top the bars with the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame and hemp seeds. Press the seeds gently to adhere.
- Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, 25–30 minutes. Let cool, then cut into the bars. Store in an airtight container at room temp or in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Like I said, these bars are addicting. Muhahahaha.
Okay so these look absolutely perfect and delicious!!! (I have been on the hunt for a seriously awesome, portable, and practical snack.)
But I have a slight problem… I’m allergic to tree nuts 🙁 think cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc. I was just wandering if you had any suggestions or ways that I could modify the recipe to make it work? I’m good on peanuts (actually a legume) and seeds (via pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, etc.) any ideas or tips would be SO SO SO appreciated!!
Hey Steph! Just replace the cashews with peanuts and the almonds with sunflower seeds. I think that will be great! Let me know if you have questions. Thank you!
They looks really good and quite easy ! Since I work late, I always end up hungy in the late afternoon, I think I’ll make this to soothe my afternoon-craving ! Don’t like the Goji berries so I’m thinking replacing them with dates and dried banana.
I also have a question : have you ever tried making your own extract? I’m looking into this right now and wondered if you ever gave it a try…
Hey! I have not tried making my own vanilla, but it is on my list! 🙂
Thank you!
Tastes cookie dough-like? Well, you’ve sold me. These look so good!
Haha thank you Christine!
These sound delicious. You talk about tahini in the bars but it’s on the ingredient list. Could you clarify how much (or if) you used if? Now off to get some goji berries ?
These bars sound so amazing. I love to bring snacks with me whenever I go somewhere. You never know when you might be hit by hunger pangs. These would be great as an after work snack. I’m always starving after work and pretty much devour everything in sight. This is the perfect snack to prevent me from indulging on junk.
Yes! So perfect for after work, just a quick, light snack! I hope you love these Andrea, thank you!
I, too, have been saved by packing snacks when traveling! Tight layovers and limited options mean bars can be a total life-saver. Going to make these when I travel in a few weeks! Thanks for the recipe!
I hope you love these Natalie! Thank you & safe travels!
Delicious and healthy-what a great combo 🙂
Rachael xx.
theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you Rachael!
goji berries have the BEST texture, I love the idea of adding them to these bars!! yummy and easy 😉
YES! So yummy and so easy! Thank you Christine!
I love the sound of these granola bars. You’ve used so many of my favourite ingredients!
Thank you Christine!
Yummy!
Thanks Sara!
Tieghan, these bars look absolutely delicious! 1000% more delicious that any shop-bought ones that I’ve ever seen and tried! Definitely making them! 🙂
Perfect! I hope you love these, Julia! Thank you!
Oh, these look fabulous, I can´t wait to try them. Thank you for sharing the recipe. However, I have one question. In the instructions you mention tahini but it is not included in the ingredients. Could you, please, advice. Thank you.
Love and admiration all the way from Europe,
HanaS
Hi hana! so sorry about that that recipe has been fixed. It is a 1/4 cup tahini.
I’m always in for a healthy nutty bar and this looks perfect. Love the addition of sesame seeds – my favourite!
Awesome! Thank you Richa, I hope you love these!
Perfect ! Your excellent habit has brought up this beauty! Will do for a weekend drive. Have a pleasant day !
Thank you so much!
i always cave and get starbucks if i don’t bring food with me to airports, so these sound perfect! and appreciate that these bars actually hold together, instead of the ones i normally make ?
I am glad you are liking these! Thank you Heather!