Energy bars from a crockpot? Get out! Yes, it's true, and they're really easy to make. I love this bar recipe because it contains a great balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fat. They also have a lot fiber and are fairly low in sugar, making them a perfect snack or breakfast. My kids really like them too, and I feel good about feeding the bars to them. 

Ingredients

2 Tbsp Almond butter

2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

pinch of salt

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

2 large eggs

1/3 cup quinoa, uncooked

1/2 cup raisins

1/3 cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped*

1/3 cup dried apples, roughly chopped (I used dried mango because I didn't have dried apples) 

2 Tbsp chia seeds

Instructions

1. Spray a 5 Quart slow cooker with cooking spray and cut a piece of parchment to just fit in the bottom of it. I just traced my slow cooker on a large piece of parchment, cut it out and stuck it in. Spray the parchment with cooking spray, and press it down to adhere it to the slow cooker. **

2. In a large, microwave safe bowl, combine the almond butter and maple syrup and melt until the almond butter is creamy, about 30 seconds.

3. Whisk together the almond butter and maple syrup. Then, whisk in the almond milk, cinnamon and salt. Whisk until the milk is well incorporated with the almond butter.

4. Whisk in the eggs until well combined, then stir in all remaining ingredients thoroughly.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared slow cooker and cook on LOW heat until the top of the bars just appear set, about 3 ½-4 hours.

6. Run a knife around the outside of the bars and remove the bowl from the slow cooker. Place into the refrigerate to cool completely.

7. Once cool, cut into bars and DEVOUR! 

Serves 8 bars. Store the bars in an air tight container in the refrigerator. 

Notes:

*if you can't find toasted almonds, just dry toast them in a 400 degree oven for about 5-10 minutes, until lightly golden brown.

**Don't skip this step. It makes the bars to much easier to get out of the crockpot.

Recipe courtesy of the lovely Taylor at FoodfaithFitness.com