Judging by taste, these energy bars would certainly be considered a splurge, but when you look at the ingredients, there’s just no reason to feel guilty about enjoying every luscious bite. This Mayan-inspired "wonder" energy bars recipe is made with almond butter, sunflower seeds, and hemp seeds, among a host of other healthy ingredients that give you an all-natural source of pure, plant energy.
Almond butter has a nutritional advantage over peanut butter due to its vitamin E content. Vitamin E protects the cells from oxidative stress and damage, neutralizing cell, DNA, and protein damage.
Sunflower seeds are loaded with phytosterols, which are believed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers. Adding hemp in whenever possible is always a bonus because of its essential amino acids, fiber, vitamin E, and other trace minerals. Read more about fiber
Vegan Mayan Energy Bars Recipe with Cardamom and Hemp
Makes 16 bars
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups almond butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup brown rice syrup
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 cup quinoa, toasted
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup pecans and macadamia nuts, toasted and chopped
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix almond butter, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, and spices in a large mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
2. Spread out evenly in a well oiled 9 x 13 baking dish and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Recipe: Vegan World Fusion Cuisine By Mark Reinfeld and Bo Rinaldi
