So these bars were something I was trying out that I thought would be a good on-the-go snack grab for the more health-conscious peoples that I feed. I’m not gonna lie, the boys are very satisfied with the cookies/brownies/cupcakes and other goodies that I’ve been making for them, but for the ones who try not to eat all of that I think this is a really yummy alternative.
A huge problem with so many homemade protein bar recipes is that they have to be kept cold or they turn into a sticky mess. I was trying to work around that with these. Of course, if you don’t mind them a little on the messy side I’d say try dipping them in some chocolate!
What flavor do you have when there’s not enough cocoa to be considered chocolate but enough not to be overlooked?Cuz I put cocoa in these but I also didn’t want to have to add a lot of extra sweetness to compensate for its natural bitterness so I went really light and the cocoa is more of a side character than the star. I think the sunflower seeds and coconut are what really stand out with these, and of course the bananas. I feel like bananas have kind of become my favorite ingredient for adding moisture or sweetness to healthy baking. I mean, they’ve got it all. They’re really sweet, super healthy, and add great texture. Plus, they’re a fairly cheap ingredient when it comes to healthy options. Yep, bananas and I are having a moment.
I made a few batches to get one that I was happy with because my first batch turned out a little bland. So if you’re looking for an easy snack that is portable and stands up pretty well in different temperatures than this is it. They are also vegan, dairy free, and gluten-free so they should fit into many people’s eating restrictions.
Okay, so have a great week guys, and make some healthy snack bars!
Sunflower Seed Oatmeal Banana Energy Bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 bars
Ingredients
1 cup shelled sunflower seeds
4 teaspoons coconut oil
sea salt to taste
4 medium ripe bananas
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut flakes
4 cups old-fasioned rolled oats
1 cup full fat coconut milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon sea salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Line a 13x9 inch glass pan with parchment and grease with oil. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (160 C).
- Melt coconut oil in a small frying pan and add sunflower seeds. Stir constantly until browned and toasty then sprinkle with salt to taste.
- Combine the sunflower seeds and all other ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse until very well combined. Scrape mixture into prepared pan and spread into a smooth layer with a spatula.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges start to darken and the top looks dry. Remove and cool completely then cut into desired size bars. They are best stored in the fridge but should last for many days at room temperature also. If you plan to eat them over a longer period of time than freezing is probably a good idea.
For more great food ideas, please do not forget to look at my other recent food posts
- Blueberry White Chocolate Almond Oatmeal Cookies
- Homemade 'Nilla Wafers with Banana Pudding
- Carrot & Lentil Salad with Indian Curry Tahini Dressing w/ Vegan Option
- Simple Chocolate Drizzled Blood Orange Cream Tart
- Springtime Vibes Salad+Cilantro Almond Butter Dressing
- Chocolate Dipped Frosting Filled Doughnuts
- Sweet and Spicy Honey Bourbon Chicken
- Strawberries+Cream Fudge Brownie Trifle
- Tropical Bay Breakfast Jars (Vegan)
- Veggies + Lemongrass Wild Rice Stuffed Peppers - FOOD PHOTO SHOOT
ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL! All of these food photos were taken with my Nikon D5300 and my favorite Lens, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. You can find out more in my INTRO POST.
And, by the way, to all the minnows out there, my intro post did a huge $0.21. The key to success on Steemit is to be consistent and persistent. Click on the link below for some great tutorials on how you can also succeed on the steem blockchain:
Master Toolkit: Steemit Resource Guide Illustrated by @sndbox
Also, a huge shoutout to @rigaronib for designing my logo!
Do you want to learn more about me? Click here to see a recent @wadepaterson interview with me - 20 questions with @gringalicious
In case you didn't catch my previous Travel Series Posts:
Gringalicious in San Diego Travel Series - Part 5 La Jolla Cove
Gringalicious in San Diego Travel Series - Part 4 Seaport Village
Gringalicious in San Diego Travel Series - Part 3 Horton Plaza
Gringalicious in San Diego Travel Series - Part 2 San Diego Zoo!
Gringalicious in San Diego Travel Series - Part 1
Bar looks yummy. You are right... Now, people are very conscious about health and calories. Perfect recipe.
12,000 FOLLOWERS
thanks so much for your never ending support @noboxes!
Amazing filter!
I am sorry, what do you mean by filter @yummyrum?
These photos are so beautiful and your staging, just amazing. And, congrats on the 12k follower, huge accomplishment, congrats
awww, you are always so sweet and supportive, thanks so much @mamaloves
These look very yummy and like a great grab-and-go kind of snack. Random question, are you vegetarian? If not, I was wondering about incorporating protein powder into a recipe like this. I am a busy mom and an looking for quick snacks that are well-balanced and not too heavy in carbs.
Lovely photography as well. I love that you incorporate nature into so many of your photos. The spirea gives such a nice softness and pop of colour.
I haven't had a chance to browse Steemit as much lately. My twins have become mobile and they are very adventurous, which means I am very busy chasing after them. Did you end up doing a behind the scenes post? I hope I didn't miss it. -Aimee
Ps. Congratulations on hitting yet another amazing milestone! 12,000 followers... Whoot whoot!
I wear no labels. I think adding protein powder would be an amazing idea. You should give it a try and then make your own post about it.
thanks for the kind words on the photos.
I have not done a behind the scenes post, but it is very much on my mind to do.
And thanks for the congrats on the 12k, I am very glad that you are one of them @canadianrenegade.
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I’ve never had sunflower seeds. I’ve seen them in various trail mixes at the store, I’ve seen them enrobed in colorful candy-chocolate coatings, and I’ve seen their shells lying around on the ground from when people spit them out, but I’ve never tried them. These cookies look amazing though. 🙂 (I love me an oatmeal cookie!)
I love me an oatmeal cookie also. I do have a recipe for an oatmeal cookie that I have yet to share, I need to do that soon. Thanks so much for the inspiration @tasauver. Great commenting
You put it so well together, I as a reader have to give my best shot too
I was a manager for many years in supermarkets, I always specialize in the elaborated sectors, I love the bakery sector, in the last years work to change the habit of consumption of people, began to incorporate healthier products, (no trans fats ) and many cereals and other healthier meal alternatives.
I love this proposal, you agree the exquisite with the healthy, thank you very much for sharing the recipe and the step by step of the elaboration
I wish you a great day @gringalicious
very kind words and awesome commenting @jlufer. Managing super markets, that has to be hard work?
I've never been in fond of healthy sweets, thought that they couldn't be tasty. But lastly, something has changed I've decided to try some recipes eg. chocolate avocado dessert, chia pudding or the last one - black bean brownie, and I must say that those were actually very delicious :) your energy bars are going to be the next that I try, they look really yummy and nutritious at the same time 😊
I've done all of those and had some measure of success. Have you tried avocado brownies. I have a recipe for that, maybe I'll share it again soon. I do hope you give these bars a try and I hope it is a success
Wow I've never thought that avocado can be used in brownies! That would be awesome if you share it again! 😊
Thanks for sharing the recipe
thanks for commenting @gomovies
Congratulations for the 12,000 followers☺️☺️ it must be a great feeling and these energy bars looks really delicious and healthy...
thanks so much @universalpro and I am glad that you are one of those 12k
☺️☺️
Okay these look kinda yummy. I need a snack like this. Thanks! They will go great with my vegan chocolate soda or cold brew chocolate. Mmmmmmm!
I am thrilled you like them @outrayjust, thanks so much for commenting
You inspired me, so I am baking today :) I've got only one concern here:
I only have a really small blender for smoothies. Do you think it makes sense to mix all those seeds, oatmeal, cocoa and others in it, or do you have better suggestions?
Ooooh they look amazing! Might have to try these :)
I do hope you give them a try @fran.hardwicke
This is just beyond imagination and creativity
Awesome tips will try them!!!!!!THANK U @gringalicious
And Congratulations for 12000+followers
thanks so much for the congrats and for taking the time to comment
Hey @gringalicious my mouth filled with water 🤤
thanks
YESSSS. Love stuff like this that I can munch on the go. One of my main problems is finding what I call 'to-hand' food to snack on so I stay on the healthy eating track.
I hope you have a chance to give these a try and maybe they'll be good for the 'to-hand' food snack. thanks so much for commenting @yasminep
This looks really yummy nd healthy too. I'm a fitness freak and I'm very careful with what I eat. I love bananas, chocolate/cocoa. Although I've noticed that cocoa kind of works as a laxative for me.
Nice one and beautifully done 👍.
thanks so much for the great commenting @adedoyinwealth
You are very welcome @gringalicious
Yummmm.... Baking is one of hobbies and the recipe you shared looks fabulous... I will definitely try this at home and also go through the the recipes of yours... keep posting 👍
thanks so much for the great commenting @gammamind and welcome to Steem. If you read in my post, there is a link to a helpful resource kit - Master Toolkit: Steemit Resource Guide Illustrated by @sndbox - https://steemit.com/toolkit/@sndbox/master-toolkit-steemit-resource-guide-illustrated-update
congratulation you passed a huge digit of your followers 12000
keep it up its all due to your hard work
thanks for sharing this diliciouse food awesome photography
I simply love doing it. Thanks for reading @travellingwomen!
Those look really good! :) Making me hungry. haha
This snack looks great and I know it would taste good too because of the ingredients and preparation technique. I would love to try it out someday.
Congrats for 12000 followers, I am so happy for you. It is a delicious recipe and very healthy. :)
Thanks @allesia! I hope you can try it sometime. Have a good day!
An homemade protein bar is the greatest option for a fitness Freak like me and i personally like homemade protein bars but you also said right that they need to be stored in cold so they can maintain their shape,
But you give me some great ideas about my nest protein bar,thanks dear @gringalicious iam definitely going to try this yummy bar.
I am glad I was able to provide some inspiration, that's really my whole goal. Thanks for telling me @thecrytotrader
I don't know what is with your cooking. These look delicious and I'm jealous that your can eat this and I cannot. Banana is always my favorite fruit. Looks like you know everything about cooking, it looks so yummy and I guess the secret ingredient is always love
Oh, well I do put much love into everything. Thanks for the support @wa2qr!
With a whopping 7.6 grams of Resistant Starch gain some metabolism-boosting fiber and MUFAs to boot, this is an ultra-comfortable hours of daylight meal
Thanks @bestskhan2017
Congratulations for 12000+followers .... @gringalicious. It is your great achievement. Feel proud of this part . Your energy bar is so yummy..... Lol. Outstanding photography. Thanks a lot for sharing
thanks so much for the congrats and for all of your support @pariza
Super tasty looking as always! Got a question...do you do your shoots like once a day for the posts, or schedule a series of them to do all at once? Just curious :)
Thanks @mikesthoughts. Because I always use natural light my photography days vary depending on the week and the time of year. During the longer Summer days I like to take photos nearly everyday because of all the daylight hours, but during the short Winter days I do sometimes need to plan to take many photoshoots on one day when the lighting is better. Hope that helps. Do you think a post about my photography and work process would be interesting?
That's right! Forgot you use natural light. That would definitely limit you, hehe.
Yes, I think it would be a great post. I think a good number of photographers also follow your work, and I know how we all love looking behind-the-scenes to see if we can learn anything new :) You could do a short one on the setup and another on the editing. Or, whatever you feel is important. :)
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Congratulations you with 12000 followers. You make big and hard work. Be bless😊😊😊
thanks so much for the congrats @irinatsvetkovva, I appreciate it!
You just rose by 6.8576% upvote from @therising courtesy of @gringalicious. Earn 43.8% APR by delegating SP to therising. For more details visit: https://steemit.com/budget/@therising/auto-daily-payout-of-43-8-apr-for-steem-power-delegations-starting-from-500-sp-only-limited-period-offer.
These energy bars looks super tasty and your photography is amazing.
Thanks for sharing the recipe
thanks so much for the kind words and for commenting
Nice blog.. The food realy taste good
thanks
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Food is for eating, and good food is to be enjoyed... I think food is, actually, very beautiful in itself.
thanks
Nice. Lovely
I think, my comment is not right
Sounds pretty yummy.
thanks
wow... look nice...
thanks
I really love the mood and tone of the photo along with well styling. But yet those energy bar look so yummy to me. Thanks @gringalicious for the great photo and easy cooking recipe. :-)
very kind words, great commenting @andyjim, thanks so much
This chocolate is looks like very tasty and I think It must be. Your post are awesome it consists whole knowledge of how to cook ingredients,also i can see you reached 12k follower is great achievement of hard work. You are lucky you join this early days. Congratulation for achievement. I think your post is best in cooking.Thanks for share with us.
you are too kind @steemitglass, thanks so much!
Oh yum, these look fantastic! Thank you so much for the easy and delicious vegan recipe - upvoted & resteemed! Your food photos are bomb as always ♥
thanks so much @isshappy.
If I could make a little suggestion, could you add a few more photos to your food posts?
Thank you for your suggestion, I'll try to do so ♥
These look so good and I have all the ingredients, so definitely giving these a try today! Thanks for all the food inspiration! :)
If you give them a try, send me a photo, or better yet, make your own post about it @flavorriot
I like banana energy bar. Maybe next time can try poppy seed, quite nice~😁
I will keep that in mind, thanks so much for commenting
Thanks for sharing your recipe! I just hope I could buy an oven so I can ask my wife to bake 1 for me 🤤
I tried eating sunflower but not the one in the picture, it was really a seeds from its flowers. I was having fun removing its tiny shells. Delicious indeed!
thanks so much for commenting @bobiecayao
your welcome pretty lady. Have blessed day always.
Congratulation$$ for 12000+follower...You are BEST @gringalicious
thanks so much for commenting and welcome to Steem @rubelhasan
that looks sooo yummy :))) yes please send me some in a post :P x
they might be a bit dry by the time they get to you. I think it would be way better for you to make these on dlive, that sounds like a way better idea to me. Thanks so much @allasyummyfood