Description
These Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Nut Bars are a perfect blend of crunchy nuts, airy puffed rice, and rich dark chocolate with a touch of sea salt. They offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors making them a healthy and satisfying snack or treat that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups unsalted nuts (¾ cup cashews, ¾ cup peanuts, 1 cup almonds)
- ½ cup puffed rice
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown rice syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Topping
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Optional: flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Nuts and Puffed Rice: In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsalted nuts (cashews, peanuts, almonds) and puffed rice. Make sure they are mixed evenly for the best texture in your bars.
- Mix Syrup and Flavoring: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, gently warm the brown rice syrup with vanilla extract and sea salt, stirring to blend thoroughly. This mixture acts as the natural sweetener and binder.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the warm syrup mixture over the nuts and puffed rice. Stir well to coat everything evenly, ensuring the nuts and rice stick together when pressed.
- Form Bars: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal. Transfer the nut mixture into the pan and press it firmly down with a spatula or your hands to create an even and compact layer.
- Melt Chocolate and Coconut Oil: In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, gently melt the dark chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth and glossy.
- Top the Bars: Pour the melted chocolate over the pressed nut mixture. Use a spatula to spread it evenly over the surface. Optionally, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the chocolate topping for an added crunch and flavor boost.
- Chill and Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate is fully set and firm.
- Cut and Serve: Once set, remove the slab from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into bars or squares of desired size. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep fresh.
Notes
- Use a variety of nuts for a richer flavor and nutritional profile.
- Brown rice syrup is a natural sweetener alternative, but you can substitute with honey if preferred.
- Press the nut mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together well.
- Melt chocolate gently to avoid burning or seizing.
- Store bars in the refrigerator to maintain crunch and prevent melting.
- For a nut-free version, substitute nuts with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
Keywords: dark chocolate, sea salt, nut bars, healthy snack, homemade snack bars, no-bake, easy snacks, gluten free, vegetarian