This nutritious recipe is no bake and low sugar and made with goji berries, oats, nuts, seeds and almond butter. Perfect for an afternoon snack and breakfast on the go.
I’ve also used ingredients that are low FODMAP, which means that they are low in sugar and are easily digested.
Why make this recipe?
- Easy & quick to make – no bake recipe
- Low in sugar & easy to digest
- Smaller batch recipe
- Great for snacks or breakfast on the go
MORE HEALTHY SNACKS WITH OATS
This recipe and me
Over the last few years, I’ve come to the terms with the fact, that whilst I love sweets, cakes and puddings, they don’t like me… or at least my digestive system. This is why I’ve been trying to replace some of my usual sweet snacks with homemade oats bars.
I sometimes buy them, but then I get really disappointed about how sweet they are – whether it’s the low sugar, no sugar option, there seems to be always a lot of unrefined sugars, sugar replacements or dried fruits, which makes the snack bar just way too sweet.
This is why my homemade goji berry bar has only a tiny amount of agave syrup and the rest of the sweetness comes from the goji berries.
To help with my energy levels, I tried to add as much protein as I could (seeds, nuts, almond butter), which I think makes this snack bar recipe pretty healthy.
I really like the flavour and I hope you’ll enjoy it too!
Time saving tip
You will need to soak the goji berries in advance of starting the recipe.
This can be done any time, even the day before and when you are ready to start the recipe, you’ll have all the ingredients ready.
Any specialist equipment needed?
You will need a handheld blender or food processor because the goji berries need to be pureed.
I also use the food processor to blitz the nuts to make them into rough flour or ground nuts.
Allergies & dietary requirements
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Gluten Free – if using gluten free oats
- Dairy Free
- Contains Nuts
Notes on Ingredients & Possible Substitutions
Oats
I’ve used gluten free oats, but you can use any type of oats you like, including fine or jumbo oats.
If you prefer a finer finish to your snack bar, you can always put the oats through a blender to cut them into smaller pieces.
Goji Berries
I’ve used goji berries, because they are not as sweet as dates or raisins, which seems to be what most snack bars are made of. Goji berries are also low FODMAP, which is why I wanted to use them.
You can use any other type of dried fruits, such as dates, raisins, prunes, apricots, cranberries or cherries.
Nuts
I’ve used walnuts and almonds with this recipe, since they are low FODMAP, but you can use any kind of nuts you have.
Mixed seeds
I’ve added mixed seeds because they add a nice crunch to the goji berry bar. You can use any kind of seeds such as pumpkin, sesame, sunflower seeds.
If you don’t have any seeds, just use a little bit more nuts.
Agave syrup
I’ve actually used carob syrup in this recipe, because I had it and it’s low FODMAP, but I know most people won’t have that at home.
Maple syrup is also low FODMAP, but again it’s a bit pricey. Honey, agave syrup or molasses work equally well with this recipe and are easy to obtain.
1/4 cup almond butter peanut butter, cashew butter etc.
Other spices & flavourings you can add
I often use cinnamon or mixed spice or specially made oatmeal mixed spice to add warmness to my energy bars. You can add pretty much any sweet type of spices, depending on what you like.
I’ve used some blueberry powder in this recipe, but that’s because I had it in my kitchen cupboard and I thought it would go well with the goji berries.
You can add protein powder, maccha powder instead or leave it out altogether.
The same goes for the vanilla extract. Whilst it’s a nice touch, vanilla extract is fairly pricey, so I completely understand if you want to leave it out.
But, definitely add a tiny pinch of salt! This does make a difference as it balances the flavours together and makes the bar extra yummy.
BREAKFAST OATS RECIPES
How to make goji berry bar
Boil some water and add about 2-3 tablespoons to the measured goji berries. Add just enough to soak the berries. Leave for 15 minutes or longer if you have the time (this can be prepared well in advance of the recipe)
Chop the nuts into smaller parts or put them through a food processor (or a blender) to make them into smaller pieces or even as fine as a rough nut flour. If there are any bigger pieces that’s fine too, it will add a bit of crunch to the bars.
Measure out all the dry ingredients – oats, nuts, blueberry powder (or other powder if using), salt and seeds – and mix them all together.
In a separate bowl measure out the almond butter, agave syrup, and vanilla extract. If the butter is very thick, warm the whole mixture in a microwave for a few seconds to warm up. Otherwise, it doesn’t really need heating up.
When your goji berries are soaked, put them through a blender (I use a small handheld blender stick) for a minute or two until they are like a smooth puree.
Add the goji berry puree to the almond butter mixture and mix until incorporated.
Add the goji berry puree to the dry oats mixture and mix everything together. Add more agave syrup or almond butter if the mixture doesn’t come together. You should end up with a very thick mixture (not runny and almonds impossible to spread).
Take the mixture out of the mixing bowl and press down using a fork onto the prepared small tray lined with greaseproof paper.
Leave to set in the fridge for 30 minutes and then cut into 6 medium sized bars or 12 mini snack bars.
Keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Variations for no-bake bars
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Bar – Swap the almond butter for peanut butter, goji berries for dates and the blueberry powder or seeds for 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
MORE OATS RECIPES
Batch size
This is, what I call a small batch size recipe – it’s about a 1/2 of a brownie tray. The recipe gives you 6 good sized snack bars or 12 small bite sized ones.
Can I scale up this recipe?
Absolutely! If you double the recipe, it will be just enough to fill a whole brownie tray.
How long will these bars last?
These bars are made with fresh ingredients and they haven’t been baked. This means that they will last a much shorter time than baked energy bars.
I’ve never had any problems with them going off or starting to mould and I’ve kept mine for up to 10 days.
If I want to be cautious, I’d say, eat them within 2-3 days. I’ve purposefully made this recipe a small batch as I know that these bars are quite filling and they don’t last very long.
How to store no bake energy bars
Since this goji berry bar is no-bake recipe, it means that all the ingredients are fresh and then remain so. It’s best to keep the energy bar in the fridge (or at least somewhere very cold).
I always cover the bars or layer them in between greaseproof paper in a fridge suitable container. Keeping them wrapped prevents them from drying out.
Can I freeze my goji berry bar?
I have to admit I’ve not tried to freeze the bar, but my guess is that it might not be the greatest idea.
Based on similar recipes that I’ve frozen before, they came out quite mushy when they defrost and with these bars, it might be a problem.
Goji Berry, Oats & Nuts Energy Bar
Equipment
- blender or mixer
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oats gluten free if you prefer
- 1/2 cup goji berries
- 2-3 tablespoons boiling water to soak the goji berries
- 1/3 cup mixed nuts walnuts, almonds etc
- 2 tablespoons mixed seeds pumpkin, sesame, sunflower seeds etc.
- 1 tablespoon blueberry powder optional (or can be protein powder, maccha powder etc.)
- large pinch fine salt
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup carob, date or maple syrup, honey, molasses etc.
- 1/4 cup almond butter peanut butter, cashew butter etc.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Boil some water and add about 2-3 tablespoons to the measured goji berries. Add just enough to soak the berries. Leave for 15 minutes or longer if you have the time (this can be prepared well in advance of the recipe)
- Chop the nuts into smaller parts or put them through a food processor (or a blender) to make them into a smaller pieces or even as fine as a rough nut flour. If there are any bigger pieces that's fine too, it will add a bit of crunch to the bars.
- Measure out all the dry ingredients – oats, nuts, blueberry powder (or other powder if using), salt and seeds – and mix them all together.
- In a separate bowl measure out the almond butter, agave syrup, vanilla extract. If the butter is very thick, warm the whole mixture in a microwave for a few seconds to warm up. Otherwise it doesn't really need heating up.
- When you goji berries are soaked, put them through a blender (I use a small handheld blender stick) for a minute or two until they are like a smooth puree.
- Add the goji berry puree to the almond butter mixture and mix until incorporated.
- Add the goji berry puree to the dry oats mixture and mix everything together. Add more agave syrup or almond butter if the mixture doesn't come together. You should end up with a very thick mixture (not runny and almonds impossible to spread).
- Take the mixture out of the mixing bowl and press down using a fork on to the prepared small tray lined with greaseproof paper.
- Leave to set in the fridge for 30 minutes and then cut into 6 medium sized bars or 12 mini snack bars.
- Keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
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Great flavour & doesn’t taste as sweet as some shop-bought oat bars, which is great. I made them for my kid’s lunch boxes and they like them too!