These Superfood Acai Bars are absolutely addicting! They’re sweet, chocolatey, fruity, and PACKED with superfood nutrition from acai, hemp seeds, walnuts, and more. And the best part- you can make them in just 20 minutes (+ time to freeze). =)
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
These Superfood Acai Bars are:
- sweet (but not too sweet), making them a great snack, breakfast or even dessert. They are soft, gooey, and hold together really well.
- perfect for meal planning! Make a batch (or two) for the week ahead, and keep in the fridge for a quick, nutritious snack. Or freeze for up to 2 months.
- super nutritious. Acai is nutrient-dense, and loaded with antioxidants, helps to lower cholesterol and much more. Hemp seeds are protein-packed and super high in fiber, and goji berries protect our eyes, and helps with immune support, healthy skin and more.
- easy-to-eat. If you’ve ever eaten a granola bar and half of it fell on the floor in the first bite, you’ll be happy to know that these ‘Superfood Acai Bars’ stay together very well as long as you press down quite a bit while preparing them. The crushed up nuts and thick paste (made from dates and other healthy ingredients) keeps these little guys intact.
- addicting! It will be hard to eat just one- trust us!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
INGREDIENTS LIST:
- Medjool dates– Medjool dates are softer than traditional dates, and are a must for this recipe. If your dates are not already soft, be sure to soak them in water for 10-15 minutes and drain before using.
- Acai Powder– this isn’t the most common ingredient and you may not have it on hand. You can find them on Amazon or at your local health store.
- Goji berries– These berries are sold at most health stores, like Whole Foods, or you can also find on Amazon. OR, you can also use dried cranberries or even golden raisins.
- Shredded coconut– we find that regular shredded unsweetened coconut (NOT finely shredded) will make your acai bars ‘look‘ prettier, so if you are going for appearance, avoid using finely shredded. But either way, it will work and still tastes the same! =)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Then line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper (or alternatively, you can spray the pan with coconut oil).
Process walnuts.
Add the walnuts to your food processor and process until broken into very small pieces.
Bake oats and walnuts.
To a bare (medium or large) baking sheet, add the oats and the walnuts from the food processor (don’t clean the food processor yet).
Use your hands to spread out and combine, then sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown. Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
Blend acai mixture.
Meanwhile, to the food processor, add the dates, hemp seeds, acai powder, maple syrup, and vanilla. Blend until thoroughly combined.
Combine acai and oat mixture.
Remove blade and using a spatula, transfer the acai mixture to a medium bowl. Note: it will be very sticky.
Add the toasted oat/walnut mix to the bowl and combine with the acai mixture. Stir with a spoon until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Transfer mixture to pan and add ingredients.
Transfer to the 8×8 pan and press down evenly. Use a spatula to press down firmly.
Then sprinkle the goji berries on top evenly and press down into the mixture, then add the coconut flakes, pressing down firmly. The more you press, the better the bars will hold together.
Freeze and cut the Acai bars.
Freeze for 20 minutes to harden. When ready, remove by grabbing the edges of the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Using a large knife, cut into 10 squares (1 1/2 inches wide).
STorage Instructions:
Keep these Superfood Acai Bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for 2 months. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight.
EXPERT TIPS & FAQ’S:
Yes you can! To do this, after adding in the chocolate chips, add in the goji berries and coconut into the mixture, and roll into balls. Freeze.
OR, you can also roll the balls in coconut instead.
While you technically can leave them out of the fridge for a couple hours, we found that refrigerating lends to the best results in regards to taste and texture.
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If you try these Superfood Acai Bars, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your photo with #veggie__chick on Instagram. We just love to see our recipes being made in YOUR kitchen!
Superfood Acai Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free, Easy!)
Pin RateEquipment
- Medium or large baking sheet
- 8×8 baking pan
- Parchment paper (or aluminum foil/wax paper)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats - gluten-free if desired
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt - optional
- 3/4 cup packed, pitted soft medjool dates - roughly 9-10 medium dates (if not soft, soak in water for 15 minutes and drain)
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup acai powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 (heaping) cup vegan chocolate chips - We use 'Enjoy Life' brand
- 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut flakes - Note: regular shredded (NOT finely shredded) 'looks' better in this recipe, but either works.
- 1/4 cup goji berries*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper (or you can spray the pan with coconut oil).
- Add the walnuts to the food processor and process until broken into very small pieces.
- To a bare (medium or large) baking sheet, add the oats and the walnuts from the food processor (don’t clean the food processor yet). Use your hands to spread out and combine, then sprinkle with sea salt, if desired. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown. Transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, to the food processor, add the dates, hemp seeds, acai powder, maple syrup, and vanilla. Blend until thoroughly combined.
- Remove blade and using a spatula, transfer the acai mixture to a medium bowl. Note: it will be very sticky. Add the toasted oat/walnut mix to the bowl and combine with the acai mixture. Stir with a spoon until thoroughly combined. Fold in the chocolate chips and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the 8×8 pan and press down evenly. Use a spatula to press down firmly. Then sprinkle the goji berries on top evenly and press down into the mixture, then add the coconut flakes, pressing down firmly. The more you press, the better the bars will hold together.
- Freeze for 20 minutes to harden. When ready, remove by grabbing the edges of the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Using a large knife, cut into 10 squares (1 1/2 inches wide).
- Storage instructions: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or the freezer for 2 months. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight.
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