Chocolate Cherry Homemade 'Kind' Bars

Recently I was in Bulk Barn looking for gluten free / vegan snack bars for my husband when I thought, why not make them instead? Even the healthiest bars have ingredients that are not ideal like brown rice syrup (sounds healthy, doesn't it?), natural flavours and preservatives. This recipe can be made vegan by swapping the honey for maple syrup. 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups certified gluten-free large flake oats
  ​(or quinoa flakes)
• 1 cup puffed quinoa
• 3/4 cup diced dried unsweetened cherries
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp cocoa nibs
• 2 tbsp hemp hearts

• 1 tbsp ground flax seed
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pure gluten free vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup 
• 1 tbsp honey (use an extra tbsp maple syrup for vegan)
• 2 tbsp oil (I used olive)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all dry ingredients to large bowl and mix well.
2. Place all liquid ingredients into a heat-safe cup.
   Heat in microwave for about 30 seconds. Stir well.
3. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and
   mix very well.
4. Spoon into an 8x8" pan and press lightly.
5. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before running
   a knife or spatula around sides of pan to loosen onto
   ​a cutting board.
6. Use large knife to cut into bars.
7. Wrap each bar and store in fridge.
   Additional bars can be stored in the freezer. 

Makes 12 bars

Nutritional information based on
entering ingredients above into
​My Fitness Pal.