Apple Cinnamon Maca Energy Bar Recipe {Gluten-Free, Vegan}

A homemade bar is an excellent way to incorporate maca into your diet. Maca has an earthy taste that's mildly nutty with a hint of butterscotch, which nicely compliments the walnuts and almonds in this bar. Maca powder really enhances the flavor without any bitterness.

Maca is part of the broccoli, radish, and watercress family and even looks like a very robust radish. Like the rest of the roots in the cruciferous family, it’s low in calories – only 10 calories in one teaspoon of maca powder.

Maca is considered an adaptogen, a name given to certain herbs and plants that help the body naturally adapt to stressors. Maca comes in a few varieties and has a ton of other health benefits, apart from it's adaptogenic powers and nutrition profile.

Maca's Nutritional Benefits

Maca root powder is comprised of approximately 18% protein, 76.5% carbohydrates, 5% fat, and 8.5% fiber (indigestible carbohydrates).

Maca provides a powerful source of nutrition, including:

Over 20 amino acids, including 8 essential amino acids
20 free-form fatty acids (such as lauric, linolenic, palmitic acid, oleic, and steric acid)
Vitamins B-1, B-2, C and E
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Copper
Zinc
Manganese
Phosphorus
Selenium
Sulphur
Sodium
Iron

What are you waiting for?! This bar is packed with nutrition, so go make some bars!

Apple Cinnamon Maca Energy Bar

I N G R E D I E N T S

1-2 tablespoons maca powder

½ cup walnuts (preferably soaked and dehydrated to increase digestibility)

½ cup almonds (preferably soaked and dehydrated)

1 cup dates

1 cup dried apples

1½ teaspoons cinnamon

about 1-2 teaspoons water, as needed

D I R E C T I O N S

This recipe makes about 4 bars. The amount of maca in the bar is approximately 3/4 – 1½ teaspoons, depending on if you use one or two tablespoons in the recipe.

Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until the mixture is finely chopped. When you think it might be ready, remove the lid and pick up a piece to roll in the palm of your hands. If it sticks together it’s ready to form into bars. If it’s crumbly, it either needs to blend a little more or it needs a little moisture. If it is very dry, turn the food processor on and pour a teaspoon of water through the opening in the top. Continue adding water as needed until the mixture sticks together. I’ve found that somewhere between 1 teaspoon and 2 tablespoons is usually enough.

When the mixture is ready, press it onto wax or parchment paper and form into bars. Wrap each bar individually and store in the freezer until needed.

This delicious recipe comes from mommypotamus!