These Rustic Nut Bars are a perfect blend of crunchy nuts, sweet honey, and chewy oats, making for a snack that’s both nutritious and delicious. Packed with energy-boosting ingredients like mixed nuts, oats, and dried fruit, these bars are great for keeping you satisfied throughout the day. Whether you’re on the go or just need a quick snack, these homemade bars are a tasty treat you can feel good about eating.
With their delightful crunch and natural sweetness, they’re an excellent alternative to store-bought snacks. You can easily customize the ingredients to suit your taste – swap out the cranberries for raisins or add a bit of cinnamon for extra flavor. Perfect for a snack, breakfast, or post-workout boost!
Full Recipe:
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2 cups mixed nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
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1/2 cup honey
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1/4 cup butter
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 cup rolled oats
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1/2 cup dried cranberries
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1/4 cup sunflower seeds
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1/4 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking pan with parchment paper.
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In a small saucepan, melt the butter, honey, and brown sugar together over medium heat, stirring constantly.
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Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the nuts, oats, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and chocolate chips.
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Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well coated.
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Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared pan, pressing it down firmly.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown.
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Let cool completely before cutting into squares or bars.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 220 kcal | Servings: 12 bars
Rustic Nut Bars: The Perfect Homemade Snack
If you’re looking for a nutritious, filling snack that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor, look no further than rustic nut bars. These delicious homemade treats offer a blend of crunchy nuts, sweet honey, and chewy oats, creating the ideal combination of flavors and textures that will satisfy your cravings. Whether you need a quick breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or a healthy dessert option, rustic nut bars are versatile and simple to prepare, making them a great choice for any occasion.
Why Rustic Nut Bars Are a Great Snack Option
Homemade snacks often get overlooked in favor of convenient store-bought options, but making your own bars at home offers countless benefits. One of the biggest advantages of rustic nut bars is that you can control what goes into them, ensuring that you’re eating something free from artificial preservatives, excess sugars, and unhealthy fats. When you make these bars yourself, you can also adjust the ingredients to suit your dietary preferences and needs.
Rustic nut bars are incredibly customizable, meaning you can experiment with different nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and sweeteners. By doing so, you can create a snack that is tailored to your exact taste preferences or dietary restrictions. This flexibility also makes them a great option for those following gluten-free, vegan, or low-sugar diets.
Health Benefits of Rustic Nut Bars
Rustic nut bars pack a nutritional punch, making them a smart snack choice for people of all ages. The combination of nuts, oats, and dried fruits provides essential nutrients that contribute to overall health and well-being. Nuts are a great source of healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health. They also offer plant-based protein, fiber, and a range of vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E.
Oats, the main base for these bars, are a whole grain that provides soluble fiber, specifically beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Oats also provide long-lasting energy and help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a great addition to any balanced diet. Additionally, the fiber in oats supports healthy digestion, promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.
Dried fruits, like cranberries or raisins, not only add natural sweetness to the bars but also offer a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients play a crucial role in fighting oxidative stress, supporting immune function, and promoting healthy skin. Furthermore, many dried fruits contain natural sugars that are far healthier than refined sugars found in many packaged snacks.
Tips for Making the Best Rustic Nut Bars
Making rustic nut bars at home is simple, but there are a few key tips to ensure that your bars turn out perfectly every time.
First, be sure to select high-quality, fresh ingredients. Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits can sometimes lose their flavor or go rancid over time, so it’s essential to use fresh items for the best results. You can experiment with different types of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pecans, to create a variety of flavor profiles. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, depending on your taste preferences.
When choosing sweeteners for your bars, honey is a popular option because it’s natural and provides a rich sweetness. However, if you’re vegan or prefer a different option, you can substitute honey with maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup. These alternatives offer a similar level of sweetness while also contributing unique flavors to the bars.
Another important tip is to ensure that the mixture is well-combined. When mixing the dry and wet ingredients together, be sure to stir thoroughly so that each oat and nut is coated evenly with the syrupy mixture. This will help the bars stick together and hold their shape once baked.
Finally, don’t skip the step of pressing the mixture into the pan before baking. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture down firmly. This ensures that the bars bake evenly and don’t crumble apart. Once the bars are baked and cooled, it’s best to cut them into squares or bars, as this makes them easier to store and enjoy later.
How to Store Rustic Nut Bars
Once your rustic nut bars are baked and cooled, it’s important to store them properly to maintain their freshness. To do so, place the bars in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate the bars for up to two weeks, or freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper before freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
Rustic nut bars make a great snack to have on hand throughout the week. Simply grab one from the pantry or fridge when you need a quick energy boost or want something to tide you over between meals.
Why You Should Make Rustic Nut Bars at Home
There’s something truly satisfying about making your own snacks from scratch. Not only do you have complete control over the ingredients, but you also get to enjoy the process of creating something delicious and healthy. When you make rustic nut bars at home, you’re able to skip the unhealthy additives and preservatives often found in store-bought snacks. Plus, homemade bars are typically more affordable and provide a larger quantity than pre-packaged options.
Another benefit of homemade rustic nut bars is that they are highly portable, making them a great option for busy people. Whether you’re heading to work, school, or a workout, these bars are easy to grab and go. They can be stored in your bag, car, or lunchbox, and provide a convenient source of energy throughout the day.
Conclusion
Rustic nut bars are a perfect blend of taste, nutrition, and convenience. With the ability to customize the ingredients, these homemade bars can suit a wide variety of dietary preferences while delivering essential nutrients like healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants. Not only are they easy to prepare, but they also offer a wholesome snack option that you can feel good about eating. So, next time you’re in need of a healthy snack, consider making your own rustic nut bars – they’re delicious, nutritious, and perfect for any occasion.
Whether you need something to fuel your workout, satisfy a mid-afternoon hunger pang, or simply indulge in a sweet treat, these bars are the perfect solution. With their combination of nuts, oats, and dried fruits, rustic nut bars are a great way to nourish your body while enjoying a homemade snack that’s both tasty and filling.