Better For You No-Bake Cereal Bars with Ancient Grains!

When you are a family that likes to go hiking, loves traveling, and also loves food you probably want wholesome food options, especially when it comes to snacking. My better for you no-bake cereal bars with Ancient Grains + Multi Grains Cheerios are just the thing!

Active Families Need Wholesome Snacks

We’re a pretty active family. We go on hikes, we play sports, and we also travel a lot. This means there are a lot of hungry bellies to feed, especially on sports days like track & field day at school.

My family is no exception to snacking either, in fact, my kids love to snack. So when they do reach for a snack after school, or at a track meet, or on for a field trip, I want it to be something that is good for them. We have a refrigerator drawer stocked with fresh veggies, fruit, and cheese snacks, but sometimes we need a quick on-the-go snack instead, even if it is just for a visit to the park with friends.

Even More to Love with Ancient Grains

When I make homemade treats it is typically something very low sugar, low or no-wheat, and made with ingredients I know I can trust. When I decided to make some homemade cereal bars, I knew I wasn’t going to completely cut out the wheat so I wanted to be sure to add some ancient grains, which are grains that are considered to have been little changed by selective breeding or other means over time (according to LA Times and Wikipedia).

Finding the grains to add was actually pretty easy now that Cheerios has a Multi Grain version that includes Ancient Grains (found at Sam’s Club) because I didn’t have to search around for each individual ingredient, like Kamut or Spelt. It is right there in the cereal!

When I saw how easy this could be, the idea for my No-Bake Cereal Bars with Ancient Grains was born! These cereal bars are more than just quick breakfast on the go, they are a treat that you’ll love to give to your kids, and your kids will actually love to eat!

Better For You No-Bake Cereal Bars with Ancient Grains

No-Bake Cereal Bars with Ancient Grains

A delicious variation of a classic cereal bar that incorporates ancient grains and zero processed sugar for a better for you version the whole family will love!

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Ingredients

1/2 cup Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Chocolate Peanut Butter
3 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 tsp real vanilla flavoring
2 cups Multi Grain Cheerios with Ancient Grains
2 cups Puffed Quinoa
Optional
1 handful Chopped Red Walnuts (chop in advance if you buy whole walnuts)
1 Tbsp Fenugreek Seeds

Instructions

Measure out the syrup, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and coconut oil and combine all in a large pot, heat over medium heat while stirring constantly.
When the mixture is hot and about to bubble, add the vanilla. Stir to incorporate.
Remove from heat and add your Cheerios, Quinoa, and any optional ingredients. Mix until combined and completely covered.
Pour the mixture into a parchment lined 9 x 13 baking pan and press down firmly to spread into an even layer. Cover the bottom of the pan with no gaps.
Place the pan into your fridge for about 30 minutes to set, then cut into squares and enjoy.

Notes

!SubstitutionsYou can use regular peanut butter or any other flavor of nut butter in place of the chocolate peanut butter. Omit the Fenugreek Seeds if you are making these for kids. They are bitter and most kids won't like them, I only use them as they are supposed to be good for lactation. !Great TipGet your hands damp with water when pressing down on the mixture as the water will ensure the sticky mix won't stick to your hands.

https://mommybunch.com/better-for-you-no-bake-cereal-bars-with-ancient-grains/

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Nutrition

Calories: 2791 cal

Carbohydrates: 370 g

Fat: 119 g

Sodium: 983 g

Protein: 91 g

Fiber: 48 g

What to do…..

Grab your ingredients, like Ancient Grains + Multi Grains Cheerios, puffed quinoa, cocoa powder, peanut butter (or any nut butter), maple syrup, and fenugreek seeds (see recipe above for measurements).

Chop those beautiful red walnuts (optional).

Add your wet ingredients to a large pot and heat until you get a silky smooth chocolate mixture.

Add the remaining (dry) ingredients and then press everything firmly into a parchment lined pan. Cool in refrigerator until set.

Once cool, cut into bars and enjoy! You can store your bars for a week in an airtight container, or even longer in the refrigerator. They freeze well too!

Oh, and don’t get discouraged if your bars end up getting a little crumbly. Sometimes it depends on the humidity, or perhaps you added a bit too much of the dry ingredients. I’ve had it happen to me a few times along the way and everything tastes just as good, we simply change the name from ‘bar’s to ‘crumble’ and put it all in a bag like loose granola. 🙂