Nut Free Goji Berry & Coconut Seedy Bars

Nut Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegan & Paleo

If you were a 90’s kid like me, you probably grew up with a lunchbox that included a piece of fruit and a classic Uncle Tobys muesli bar. It’s absolutely crazy to me that these were considered healthy at the time (and maybe still are?). But they're far from nourishing - just have a look at the ridiculous amount of additives + hidden sugars they can contain below 😵⁣

Ingredients: [Uncle Tobys Rolled Oats (34%), Wheat (11% ) , Breakfast Cereal (Whole Grain Wheat (5%), Wholemeal Wheat Flour, Wheat Bran, Sugar, Vitamin E), Coconut, Milk Powder], Glucose, Choc Chips (9%) [Sugar, Vegetable Oil, Milk Solids, Cocoa, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifiers (492, Soy Lecithin), Salt], Chicory Root Fibre, Sunflower Oil, Sugar, Humectant (Glycerine), Modified Starch (1412), Invert Sugar, Honey, Emulsifier ( Soy Lecithin), Flavour, Salt.

I know there are times when snacks are needed for convenience, on the go, or when in a hurry. So I've put together some ‘AVOID’, ‘BETTER’ & ‘BEST’ suggestions of some great additive free, store-bought muesli bar options - which you can view on my INSTAGRAM HERE so you know what to look for next time you're buying muesli bars.⁣

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However, if you’re looking for a healthy, homemade muesli or snack bar, then look no further! This is my Nut Free Goji Berry & Coconut Seedy Bars that are free from the typical oats, dates and nuts you’ll find in most recipes. This recipe is packed with plenty of nutrient dense ingredients, including goji berries! Goji are an excellent source of antioxidants that help boost the immune system and protect the body from high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, since they fight free radical damage. These little berries also contain over 20 trace minerals, including iron, zinc, copper, phosphorous, selenium, manganese, and magnesium. Plus they’re high in Vitamin C, can help to boost energy levels and stabilise blood sugar levels too! I decided to cover these bars in some quality melted chocolate which I think pairs perfectly with the slight tang from the goji berries.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup goji berries*

  • 1 cup toasted sunflower seeds

  • 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (roughly chopped)

  • 2.5 cups shredded coconut (preservative free)

  • 1/2 cup hemp seeds

  • 3-4 Tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds

  • 1 tsp vanilla powder or extract

  • 100g quality chocolate

  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil

*If you don’t have goji berries, you can use 1 - 1.5 cups of chopped organic dried apricots (look for preservative free ones) as an alternative - or feel free to use a mix of both apricots and goji berries.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Add the goji berries into a bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow these to soak for 5-10 minutes to soften.

  2. Drain the goji berries through a sieve to remove all the water.

  3. Add the toasted sunflower seeds + 1.5 cups shredded coconut into your food processor or Thermomix and blitz together.

  4. Now add the strained and softened goji berries, chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla into the food processor or Thermomix and blitz to combine.

  5. If you’re using a Thermomix, add the hemp seeds, toasted and chopped pumpkin seeds and the rest of the shredded coconut and mix on reverse. If you’re using your food processors, add these in and do a few pulses to combine, but don’t blitz on high as you want to retain some of the texture. Note: the mixture should be a little sticky, but not too ‘wet’, if it is, pulse in a bit more dried coconut and/ or toasted and chopped pumpkin seeds until the mix comes together.

  6. Press the mixture into a lined container or slice tin.

  7. Add the chocolate and coconut oil into a small saucepan and heat on low until completely melted.

  8. Pour the chocolate over the top of the slice evenly. Place into the fridge to set.

  9. Once set, slice into 14 bars or 28 squares.

LUNCH BOX TIPS

  • Pop into a small container, or wrap a small piece of baking paper around the bars to act as the ‘packaging’ and pop them into a lunch box with a small ice brick.

  • Or alternatively, freeze it overnight, pop the frozen bar into the lunchbox and it should be defrosted and ready to be eaten by morning tea.

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For more delicious snack recipes, checkout these yummy recipes;

For even more delicious, healthy, low carb, gluten free, grain free and sugar free desserts and sweet snacks, checkout my Just Desserts eBook