Rich, chocolaty and scrumptious, these SUPERFOODS infused Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are one amazingly HEALTHY decadent snack. Every bite is loaded with nutrients and powerful antioxidants, as well with some incredible flavors. Refined sugar-free and bursting with the crispiness these bars are the perfect guilt-free chocolate pleasure.
You know when someone says 'I'm addictive to chocolate' and you don't take that person even remotely serious. You're probably thinking - it's just the food, you know - everyone can give up on certain food for a certain period of time. Well, not me. I'm highly addictive to chocolate and trust me I'm super serious about that. Ther's no food on the planet that I can't give up - but chocolate - that's another story.
When I started my healthy journey - a weightloss journey - almost four years ago, I knew that my biggest challenge would be giving up on chocolate. Not the sweets in general, nor the chips, nor other unhealthy foods that I was binging on back then - but CHOCOLATE. Even before I started changing my whole diet, I already started looking for healthier alternatives and solutions for my chocolate addiction.
I found out that there's this amazing thing - raw cacao powder and that you can easily make homemade chocolate using this simple HEALTHY ingredient at home. It was A-HA moment for me, and when that was settled, I could start changing everything else.
Back then I felt bad for having one food imprisoned me in addiction. But what I learned later was that being addicted to chocolate is actually a GOOD THING. Yes! You've heard me right. Dark chocolate in its pure divine form - made from raw cacao powder - is loaded with so many healthy stuff and it benefits our health greatly.
Dark chocolate is an excellent mood booster - you've probably known that - but dark chocolate is also loaded with many antioxidants that heals our body and fight disease.
No wonder my favorite breakfast now is Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding and Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Roll-Ups. No wonder I'm completely addicted to this Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars as well.
To satisfy your chocolate sweet-tooth, store bought dark chocolate with 70% or more cacao content is an excellent choice. But I use (and recommend) only high-quality dark chocolates - the ones without refined sugar. These are hard to find in stores, and when you do find them, they are quite costly. That's why I like to make my dark chocolate at home.
Homemade raw dark chocolate is by far the best option to satisfy your chocolate cravings but also an excellent way to deliver all the beautiful healthful nutrients into your body. When you make things at home you can choose ingredients in unprocessed form - like organic raw cacao, pure maple syrup or honey, and extra virgin oils. It's also an opportunity to be creative and experiment with different flavor combos and additions.
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are actually inspired by my childhood favorite chocolate rice krispies treats. But upgraded, so much healthier, and SO unbelievably delicious.
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are packed with nutrients - heart-healthy anti-inflammatory fats, vitamins, and essential minerals. And by packed I mean PACKED. It's a satisfying energy blast that will boost not only your mood but also your immunity and health.
To make this chocolate bars I used raw cacao powder - a superfood. Did you know that raw organic cacao has over 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries? Yes, 40 times! Say hello to good immunity.
Cacao is also the highest plant-based source of iron, an essential mineral, and magnesium, the most deficient mineral in the Western world. Why I'm addicted to raw chocolate? Maybe because cacao is a source of four scientifically proven bliss chemicals - serotonin, tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylethylamine. These compounds are associated with cozy feelings of well-being and happiness.
Raw chocolate is actually a natural, healthy, delicious + legal way to get your happy buzz on.
The big part of this Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars is fat content - from coconut oil and peanut butter. Coconut oil is a SUPERFOOD - containing saturated fat in the form of medium chain triglycerides (MCFAs), which are easily digested and sent right to the liver for energy production. Basically, when you have a bite of this delicious crunchy chocolate bar, it's like an instant energy boost. Coconut oil is also high in antioxidants, improves digestion, and supports healthy immune system. Yey to powerful coconut oil!
On another hand, peanut butter is chock-full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and many other nutrients - like antioxidant vitamin E, bone-building magnesium, muscle-friendly potassium, and immunity-boosting vitamin B6. Also, it's an excellent source of fiber and proteins that fills you up and keeps you feeling full longer.
I also used puffed rice, to add some crispiness. You can easily use puffed quinoa or amaranth instead.
These bars are so rich in dark chocolatey bittersweet flavor and beautifully scented with cinnamon and vanilla.
To make these bars even more interesting, I garnished it with more superfoods - Goji berries, bee pollen and dried blueberries. Sour berries balanced nicely bittersweet raw chocolate. It's the pure pleasure to snack on these.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars are…
- made with all natural, WHOLESOME ingredients
- full of heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory fats,
- one bowl wonder, quick and easy to make,
- sweet but REFINED sugar-free,
- low-calorie and packed with antioxidans,
- enriched with powerful superfoods – Goji berries, bee pollen, dried blueberries,
- flavored with superspice - Ceylon cinnamon,
- great for balancing hormones, uplifting mood and boosting immunity,
- vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free,
- decadent and incredibly delicious.
What I love the most about these Peanut Butter Crunch Bars is that they are sooo easy to make. It's a one-bowl snack that delivers so much wholesomeness and crunchiness. It may look complicated, but trust me, it's no biggy to make these at all. And once you make your first bunch, you'll never go back to store bought stuff trust me.
I know that true chocolate lovers will enjoy this Peanut Butter Crunch Bars and its flavor combo. And those who are new in the raw chocolate making - be prepared to get highly addicted to this deliciousness.
Enjoy!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin coconut oil melted and cooled
- ½ cup raw cacao powder
- 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup puffed rice cereals
- For topping:
- 4 tablespoons Goji berries crushed
- 1 tablespoon Bee pollen
- 4 tablespoons Dried blueberries
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch deep baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl mix together with whisk melted coconut oil, raw cacao, syrup, peanut butter, cinnamon, and vanilla. Whisk until completely incorporated.
- Add rice cereal to a bowl and mix until combined.
- Pour into the lined baking tray and refrigerate until firm (at least 30 minutes). Remove and cut into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
These are my recommendation for this recipe:
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Leslie says
Thank goodness that chocolate is good for you, otherwise I would be in some trouble! haha! These look fantastic!
Dara Michalski says
These bars were absolutely delicious! My boys keep asking me to make more!
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
These look deliciously decadent! I'm not usually a fan of bars, but I'm definitely going to have to try these!
Amanda Mason says
I thought I was alone! I'm addicted to chocolate too!! Ok you sold me with your pictures but you closed the deal with all these healthy ingredients...MAN! I'm SO making these!
Analida @ ethnicspoon.com says
This would be my idea breakfast for a busy errand day! Just drop some in a bag, grab some coffee and hit the road with these gems! Thanks for sharing!
Natalie says
Hehe thanks Analida! I'm glad you like it. Enjoy!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
So many superfoods and wholesome ingredients you have going on in these bars! They are not only a healthier snack option, they are also super delicious!
Natalie says
Thanks. I'm sooo glad you like it. Yes, it's more than just a snack ;)
Kiki Johnson says
I've been toying with the idea of making chocolate myself but have always been a bit intimidated. You make it sound fun and easy and I love the addition of Ceylon cinnamon, coconut oil and goji berries.
Natalie says
It's super simple and trust me once you try it, you'll find it hard to return to store-bought ;) Hope you'll try this recipe and enjoy it. Thanks!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
i totally hear you about the love for chocolate....i am absolutely loving all the crunch!
Natalie says
Glad we are on same page over chocolate hehe :)
Kate says
These look delicious! ANd I happen to have a bag of goji berries that I have been looking for ways to use. Can't wait to try these!
Anna says
I can only imagine how good these taste! And they look so crunchy! I would struggle with not eating them all at once!
Natalie says
Oh it's a hard struggle BUT since these are guilt-free and so healthy, I treat myself with one or two extras ;)
Angela Cardamone @marathonsandmotivation.com says
Yum, these look so amazing! I love the unique combo of flavors too, can't wait to make them!!
Natalie says
Thanks ANgela. Enjoy! ;)
Farrah says
These look so good! <3 Chocolate and peanut butter are so good together! :]
Natalie says
The BEST combo ever. So much healthy stuff are in these bars. Hope you'll try them Farrah ;) Thanks!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
How fun! I love the flavor combinations you have going on. I would have a hard time giving up chocolate too. These chocolate pb crunch bars look outstanding. It's nice to find a recipe without refined sugar!
Natalie says
Thanks Elaine. Hope you'll give this a try ;)
Tina says
I definitely need these in my life, now! I love dark chocolate, and the addition of the Goji berries just look yummy! I can't wait to make these to start snacking on!
Natalie says
Thanks Tina. Hope you'll enjoy!
jill conyers says
The bars are a great combination of flavors. Love that they're easy to make.
Natalie says
Super easy and sooo healthy. Thanks!
Abbey Sharp says
These bars look sooo tasty. Also love the goji berry topping! So yum
Natalie says
Glad you like it Abbey. Enjoy! ;)
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
Goji berries are a nice change of pace! These would be a great snack for me
Natalie says
I absolutely LOVE these as afterwork snack. I know you gonna love these friend. Enjoy!
Christina says
Every year, my friends and I host a Harry Potter weekend, for which I do most of the cooking & baking, including chocolate frogs. I usually just melt store-bought chocolate and pour into frog molds, but this year, I think I will use your recipe and pour into the molds instead of a 8x8 pan! Thanks so much - excellent timing :)
Natalie says
Harry Potter weekend sounds like a lot of fun :D Yes, you can sub store-bought chocolate with this raw cacao version. It's sooooo much healthier ;) Enjoy and have fun!
Claire says
You had me when you mentioned chocolate, peanut butter and healthy in the same sentence!!!
THESE ARE AMAZING!!!!
JUST AMAZING!!!
I can't wait to give this a go!
Natalie says
I'm sooo glad to hear that! Enjoy Claire :)
Michelle Blackwood says
Amazing photo and recipe, I have been researching about cacao powder and see it has a lot of nutritional benefits. I'm allergic to milk chocolate so this might be my answer.
Natalie says
Raw chocolate is answer to your chocolate cravings, if you have one. ;) Super healthy and super guilt-free!
swathi says
This one of the healthy bars, I haven't tried with bee pollen, I will give it try, I love goji berries since everything dunked in chocolate who can resist this.
Natalie says
I'm glad you like it. Hope you'll have chance to make it. Enjoy!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
It cannot get better than these bars. They are healthy and has great flavors in them. Lovely use of goji berries and great way to incorporate them in everyday diet. I have never heard of bee pollen. Need to look into them.
Natalie says
Bee pollen is great for boosting immunity. Adds up a bit sweetness too, so I love it!
Marisa Franca says
It's hard to believe those delicious bars are good for me too. I believe having something like these bars as a snack or after a workout are an excellent idea especially if you have kids or grandkids that play in sports. When we travel and get the munchies these bars would be ideal.
Natalie says
Hope you'll all enjoy Marisa. These are super healthy, for kids especially since these are refined sugar-free.
Pam Greer says
This is exactly the kind of snack we want to eat around our house. I've been using raw cocoa powder in smoothies and other baked goods. I love chocolate too, so I am so pleased that it turns out to be good for you!
Natalie says
Raw cacao is sooo healthy. I can't imagine my life without it to be honest. Enjoy in recipe making ;)
Gloria says
WOW.....healthy and delicious.....what a winning combination. We are finally getting back into the hiking season. These are the perfect bars to pack for a quick energy boost. I think my grandkids would devour these for sure.
Natalie says
I'm glad you like it Gloria. These bars are perfect for hiking. They will give you instant energy boost.