These whole grain teff energy bars are loaded with delicious flavour! There’s teff, almond flour, chia seeds, walnuts and chocolate for a touch of sweetness. It’s a treat you can feel happy about eating. An energy bar never tasted so delicious!
Hi friends!
How did the weekend treat ya? Did you watch the big game? See all the commercials that cost a small fortune to air? Tune into half time? Eat all the snacks?
What did you think of that half time show with Lady Gaga? Holy moly! Does she have energy! What a show!
After watching, I was seriously tired and pumped up at that same time.
So if you gorged a small bit yesterday, you may wanna flip the switch and go for some healthier snacks. These teff energy bars will do the trick. They’re made with whole grain teff, but have a bit of chocolate so that’s a fair compromise, don’t ya think?
These teff bars are a huge hit in our home. Hubby and I love them and hope you do too!
Why We Love Teff Energy Bars
- They’re prepped quickly.
- You can make vegan, by using vegan chocolate.
- They have extra (natural) sweetness from maple syrup and dates.
- Of course, they taste delicious!
What Is Teff?
So, what the heck is teff? This whole grain goodness only came into my world as of late. I was flipping through Ricardo magazine and they had a little section saying how teff is the new super grain.
You know how every now and then a food trends? Sometimes it’s kale, sometimes it’s cauliflower. Well, I thought, better not miss that train. I’m often late to the party, but not to this one!
Teff is an ancient grain originating from Ethiopia. It’s grains are super tiny, even smaller than chia seeds. Even though they’re small, they’re mighty!
Teff, to me, is mild in flavour and has a slight nutty taste. When used in this teff energy bars, it gives a lovely bite.
Teff adds a great texture these energy bars. Check it out …
How To Make Teff Energy Bars
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In a food processor combine dates, maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil and salt. Process until it comes together like a paste.
- Next, add teff, almond flour and chia seeds. Process again.
- Finally, add chocolate chips and walnut and process until just combined. Don’t over process and lose the texture in your walnuts. The mixture will be kinda sandy, but moist.
- Pour mixture into parchment paper-lined baking dish. Press down hard to pack in the mixture. Use your hand or the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Bake.
- Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool.
- Place in the fridge for a couple hours (or to be speedy, freeze for about 20 minutes) before cutting into bars.
Recipe Variations
- Use pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or flax seeds instead of chia seeds.
- Omit the chocolate and try dried cranberries.
- Sweeten with honey instead of maple syrup (though, it won’t be vegan).
- Try peanut butter instead of almond butter.
If you enjoy these homemade teff energy bars, you may enjoy these no bake granola bars.
If you make these teff energy bars, be sure to leave a comment below!
Whole Grain Teff Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons almond butter, or peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup teff
- ¼ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips, use vegan chips if you want a vegan version
- 1 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a food processor, combine dates, maple syrup, almond butter, coconut oil and salt and process until smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add teff, almond flour and chia seeds and process until combined.
- Add dark chocolate chips and walnuts and process until combined. Don't over process and lose texture in your walnuts.
- Line a baking dish (I used a 8-inch x 11-inch dish) with parchment paper.
- FIRMLY PRESS mixture evenly down into dish and bake for about 30 minutes.Important: Let cool for about 2 hours before placing in the fridge to further cool for about 2 hours before cutting into bars.
- Cut into 12 or 24 pieces (depending on how large you want them to be). Properly store in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 5 to 7 days.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Sylvia
Wow, these are amazing!! My first experiment with Teff and I’m very pleased! They are chewy and delicious and the health benefits are a total bonus!
I just made my 3rd batch to bring on a week long bike trip with friends, good energy. Every other batch I made were gobbled up in 2 days! Thanks for the wonderful recipe 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so very much, Sylvia! So happy that you enjoyed them! We love them in our home too 🙂
Blake
These are amazing. Do you have the nutrition facts on them?
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Blake! No, I don’t have a nutrition calculator on my site right now.
Melissa
Hello! Should the teff in this recipe be cooked first?
Girl Heart Food
Hi Melissa! No, just use as is for the recipe 🙂
Marissa
These look fantastic! I’ve been meaning to try teff for ages and boy does THIS look like the way to do it. Thank you!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Marissa!! I actually just made another batch yesterday 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!
Agness of Run Agness Run
This is such a great idea for a snack, Dawn. I can eat this at any part of the day!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Agness! I make them all the time 🙂
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com
They certainly look like you put a little magic in them 🙂 I saw teff in Wholefoods a few times and was wondering what it is and how to use it. My husband is on a gluten free diet now so I have to start experimenting with all those ingredients – I could imagine that he would very much like a teff energy bar in his lunch box too 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Miriam! I’m on my second bag of teff already and really enjoy it! Love the texture that it gives and you really can’t beat a healthy treat that tastes good, can ya?
[email protected]
Yay Patriots!!!! I ate & drank way too much for a Sunday night so i need these teff bars! I’ve never used teff at home before but I’m going to get some to try your recipe. If Mr. B likes them then I know I will too 🙂
btw, nice nail polish. I have that same color.
Girl Heart Food
I did too, girl. I did too! Hahaha! Thanks ’bout the polish. We definitely like the same stuff 😉 Thanks bestie!