A while back I shared a few extra images from readers who helped me test recipes for my latest book, I Quit Sugar: Simplicious. I promised I’d share more details of Lana’s recipe for the Gym Go-er Choc Spice Energy Bars. These bars didn’t make it into the book. My publisher couldn’t fit any more in, so I guess you could call it a bonus recipe.
These little chocolatey flavour bombs are already packed with protein from black beans and tahini. But if you want to boost the protein content, swap the oat flour for protein powder. Lana‘s verdict after testing? “They turned out delicious – almost like a fudgey brownie!”
Gym Go-er Choc Spice Energy Bars
- 1 can black beans (or 1.5 cups)
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp rice malt syrup (optional)
- 1/2 cup tahini (or nut butter)
- 1/2 cup cacao powder (or cocoa)
- 1/2 cup oat flour (or buckwheat flour/protein powder/gluten free flour)
- 3 tsp allspice
- 1/2 – 1 tbsp cinnamon (to taste)
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp ground flax
1 cup of add-ins: nuts, pepitas, shredded coconut, etc.
Preheat oven to 200 C/ 180 C fan-forced. Line an 8 by 8 inch brownie pan with parchment paper. In a food processor, blend beans, tahini, banana, cacao, and rice malt syrup (if using) until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until well combined. Stir or pulse in add-ins of choice, until just mixed in. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool before slicing.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #Simplicious when you share any of your Simplicious creations. I’m sharing them like crazy over on Instagram and Facebook.
