Baobab energy bars

Hey there! Want to try our new super snack? Today, we made super nutritious and absolutely delicious baobab bars. They’re created without any flour but instead generously packed with cashews, almonds, coconut, and baobab fruit powder. All of this is perfectly fused with a final layer of white chocolate.

These baobab bars are ideal for a quick, healthy snack or post-workout energy boost. They’re such a delightful way to enjoy the benefits of the greatest superfood on earth, loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and much more.

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Baobab – nature’s endangered nutritional treasure

Baobab, often called a tree of life, is an iconic giant of African landscapes that grows in 32 African countries. It’s native to Australia and can be found in some areas of India too. Providing shade, shelter, and a wealth of resources, these magnificent trees play a crucial role in biodiversity and community support. Since ancient times, baobabs have held spiritual significance, symbolizing strength and resilience.

In many cultures, baobabs are seen as sacred, symbolizing the power of nature and a link between heaven, earth, and the underworld.  Karl Jung saw them as symbols of personal growth and self-awareness.

Remember the Little Prince, whose planet was threatened by baobab seedlings that, if left unchecked, could grow into massive trees and destroy everything under the sun? Well, quite contrary to that, today, baobabs are endangered due to immense climate change.

If anything, the baobab is an outstanding nutritional gem. Its pulp is rich in vitamin C and essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Also, antioxidants, like phenols, flavonoids, and tannins, are not missing from this fruit. According to scientific studies, African baobab fruit contains six times more vitamin C than oranges, has significant antioxidant power, and shows off a high prebiotic fiber content, which is excellent for your gut health.

Incorporating baobab into your diet is a pleasurable way to reap its countless health benefits. We have already whipped up a delicious baobab juice recipe and homemade no-churn baobab ice cream you might want to try.

Although it sounds ironic, buying baobab powder from responsible vendors contributes to its conservation efforts, ensuring these magnificent giants can survive and thrive for future generations. Supporting sustainable harvesting practices and local communities creates a ripple effect that will help protect and preserve baobab trees for years to come.

As the Akan and Ewe proverb from Benin, Ghana, and Togo wisely says, “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.”

These baobab bars will win your heart

Get ready to fall in love with these super-nutritious snack bars! Not only are they a comforting nourishment, but their combination of flavors and textures will make them an instant favorite. Here’s why these bars will steal your heart:

They are as mouthwatering as healthy. The tangy flavor of baobab powder blends perfectly with the creamy coconut, cashews, and almonds. The addition of white chocolate adds a hint of sweetness that ties all the ingredients together. These bars are rich in vitamin C, vitamin E, B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, copper, antioxidants, protein and healthy fats.

They’re gluten-free. One of the best things about these baobab bars is that they are completely flourless. This makes them a superb option for those who are gluten-sensitive. Instead of traditional flour, we used almonds, cashews, and shredded coconut in a mix of nutrient-dense ingredients to deliver structure and a yummy taste.

They’re easy to make. You don’t need to be a culinary expert to whip up a batch of these. The recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious, homemade snack ready to go. Plus, they don’t require any baking, so they’re perfect for those hot summer days when you want to avoid turning on the oven.

You can make them keto-friendly. By omitting the chocolate layer and adding a sweetener instead of sugar and honey, you can easily transform these bars into a fantastic baobab keto-friendly snack.

Recipe ingredients

BAOBAB POWDER – Our organic baobab powder was bought from local retailers in West Africa. However, you’ll certainly do a cool little favor to those magnificent trees if you buy yours from a conservation-dedicated vendor.

CASHEW – Next, you’ll need cashew nuts. We love using cashews because they add a nice creaminess and slight sweetness to the bars. Plus, they’re a great source of healthy fats and protein. Make sure not to blend them entirely, so you’ll get those little crunchy pieces in your bites.

SHREDDED COCONUT – Coconut adds a bit of chewiness and gives these bars a solid structure. It also complements the coconut oil and coconut milk we’ll be using. I love how coconut blends perfectly with the tangy aroma of baobab.

COCONUT MILK – Speaking of coconut, coconut milk is next. It helps bind everything and adds a rich, creamy texture. I prefer using full-fat coconut milk to melt baobab powder in it.

COCONUT OIL – Coconut oil is essential for these bars. It solidifies when chilled, helping to hold the bars together. Plus, it adds a lovely creamy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.

GROUND ALMONDS – They create a nice texture for the first layer and are a good source of protein and healthy fats. If you prefer, you can make your own ground almonds by blitzing whole almonds in a food processor.

SUGAR OR SWEETENER – Feel free to adjust the amount to suit your taste. These bars will still taste great even if you skip the sugar entirely. We actually used erythritol instead of sugar, making them a bit healthier.

HONEY – Honey acts as a binder, especially when mixed with ground almonds. It helps hold the bottom of the bars together, making them easy to cut and eat without falling apart.

WHITE CHOCOLATE – Last but definitely not least, white chocolate. It adds a delightful sweetness and creaminess, making these bars feel like a real treat. For the keto version, use keto white chocolate chips.

How to make delicious baobab bars

A quick note on the pan: We used a 7 x 12 inches (2o x 32 cm) baking pan. If you’re using one of a different size, adjust the amount of ingredients.

STEP 1: Mix baobab powder into a bowl with coconut milk. Set aside for the powder to get absorbed and soaked by the milk.

STEP 2: Use a food processor or a blender to blend ground almonds with a tablespoon of sugar (or sweetener) and two tbsp of honey until you get a compact dough. Let me remind you that the dough will firm up once it is chilled.

STEP 3: Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer the dough and carefully press it on top of it to smooth it out. Let it rest in the freezer to firm up while you create the next layer.

STEP 4: After that, blend together a cup of cashew nuts and coconut oil. Don’t be too hard on it to ensure that little crunchy pieces remain in the dough. Those are the yummy ones!

STEP 5: Add three tablespoons of sugar, a cup and a half of shredded coconut and three tablespoons of coconut milk with soaked baobab powder. Gently stir it with a spatula or a spoon; you only want all the ingredients to fuse together properly.

STEP 6: Pour the mixture into the pan on top of the first layer. Gently press the dough using a spatula to even it out and spread it evenly over the whole pan. Put it back in the freezer while you’re preparing the chocolate layer.

STEP 6: Now, you’re going to prepare a bain-marie for the chocolate layer.

Fill a saucepan with about four cm of water and warm it on medium heat. Set another smaller bowl on top of it and add pieces of chocolate and two tablespoons of coconut oil. Gently stir until everything melts perfectly. And don’t forget to turn the heat off before the water starts boiling!

STEP 7: Pour the chocolate over the other layers and let it slowly chill until it reaches a little above room temperature. If you wish, sprinkle the chocolate with baked coconut chips to make it crunchier.

Then, tightly cover the pan with plastic wrap or parchment paper and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.

If you want to speed up the process, you can freeze it, but be careful not to leave it in the freezer for too long.

STEP 8: Once the mixture is firm enough, slice it with a sharp knife, and there you go – your delicious superfruit baobab bars are ready to enjoy!

Make sure that they are chilled before eating so they will keep as firm as possible. Before slicing, let them sit at room temperature so you can cut them more easily.

Some tips and some ideas

• Use natural ingredients. Opt for organic almonds, coconut oil and cashews that do not contain harsh chemicals. 
• Choose finely shredded coconut over large flakes. This creates a smoother, easier-to-work-with mixture.
• Use a sharp knife. It will help you to slice the bars evenly without them falling apart.
• Use full-fat coconut milk. The baobab powder will easily melt, and the bars’ texture will be richer.
• Keep them refrigerated. Chilling ensures the bars stay firm. However, before slicing, let the pan sit at room temperature for a few minutes after removing it from the refrigerator. This will make cutting easier and prevent them from cracking or crumbling.
• Make them keto. Replace the sugar with a sweetener (we used erythritol) and use sugar-free white chocolate chips for the final layer. This way, you’ll get an awfully delicious and healthy keto snack that I bet you’ll adore.
• Make them vegan. Swap the honey for maple syrup, agave nectar or brown rice syrup. Pour over dairy-free chocolate, and you’ll have, oh my god, so yummy vegan bars.
• Sprinkle them with coconut chips. It’s easy to imagine how coconut chips sprinkled over white chocolate make them even more crunchy, isn’t it?
• Mix in more nuts. Swap or mix in other nuts, such as walnuts, crunched peanuts, or ground macadamia. You can also add sunflower seeds. You bet this will create such a delicious crunch and flavor.
• Add dried fruits. Experiment with chopped dried figs, pineapple, banana, passion fruit or candied orange slices that pair flawlessly with tangy baobab powder and creamy coconut flavor.
• Use baobab differently. Try out our delicious baobab juice and baobab ice cream. They might turn you into a baobab addict like we are!

How to store them

What can you do to keep those mouthwatering baobab bars fresh and tasty for longer?

When stored in the refrigerator, baobab bars will keep well for up to two weeks. However, you should cover them with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing other smelly odors in the fridge.

If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together.

For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to three months. Keep them in an airtight container or use a plastic bag.

Before placing them in the bag, it’s very convenient to wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper. This will keep them fresh, and you can grab just one or two when craving.

When you’re ready to snatch one, just take it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes, or pop it in the fridge the night before.

Baobab bars FAQs

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Proudly announcing our baobab bars were featured at Angie’s Fiesta Friday and Crazy Little Love Birds.

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