Andrea’s Award Winning Cocoa Energy Bars 
Simple recipe for chocolate energy bars
The recipe I developed for these crunchy, chewy, chocolate energy bars has travelled around the country and is a favourite of my family and friends. Many years ago this recipe won 1st prize in a recipe contest with the Peanut Bureau of Canada. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Makes 32 servings
What You Need:
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1-1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1-1/4 cup rice crisp cereal
- 1 cup dried fruit (such as cranberries)
- 1 cup crushed nuts (such as peanuts)
How To Prepare Chocolate Energy Bars
- In a pot, combine peanut butter, honey, sugar, and cocoa and cook on medium heat, stirring until smooth. Add the rest of ingredients and mix well.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch pan and firmly press batter in pan.
- Cut into squares while warm before cooling.
Time Saving Tip! Double the recipe for these Chocolate Energy Bars! Cut into bars and wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for snacks when needed.
Nutrients Per serving:
- 135 Calories
- 20g Carbohydrates
- 4 g Protein
- 6 g Fat
- 1.9 g Fibre
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About Andrea Holwegner
CEO, Registered Dietitian, Counseling Practice Director & Professional Speaker
Andrea the «Chocolate Loving Nutritionist» is founder and CEO of Health Stand Nutrition Consulting Inc. since 2000. She is an online nutrition course creator, professional speaker and regular guest in the media. Andrea is the recipient of an award by the Dietitians of Canada: The Speaking of Food & Healthy Living Award for Excellence in Consumer Education....Read more
When you say “crushed” nuts for the cocoa energy bars, what is the best way to do this? A nut chopper, chop with a knife, magic bullet? My husband has no teeth and he puts his nuts in a magic bullet and eats the powder with a spoon. Will this work in the recipe? Thanks!
Hello Carol – I have a hand held nut grinder that crushes the nuts into small pieces that I use. Alternatively you could also use a food processor or you can place them in a sealed zipper style bag and use a meat pounder/tenderizer/mallet. If you are going to toss the nuts into the magic bullet I wouldn’t crush into a powder (unless you really need them this way for your husband) as a little texture in these bars is ideal.
What are ways to increase the fiber and decrease the sugar content in these? I like them, but find them a bit sweet.
Hello Larissa thanks for your note here. This recipe is mainly used for sports recovery and activities like hiking so intentionally high in carbohydrates as an energy source for working muscles. If you find it too sweet you could certainly try some recipe testing with less brown sugar added and for fibre adding in some chia seeds, hemp hearts or ground flax seeds and see if that works for you but I’m not sure how this will influence the texture and chewiness. Hope this helps! Enjoy
thanks Andrea!
Should the mix in the saucepan melt together to liquefy?
Hi Amber – thanks for your note. Yes the mixture should melt together to become smooth while you stir this over medium heat. Enjoy!