Sunflower Butter Granola Bars/Energy Bites/Ladoos

Sunflower Butter Granola Bars/Energy Bites – wholesome, healthy, no-bake energy bars/bites/ladoos with oats, dates, apricots and sunflower seeds.

My favorite way to enjoy a slice of bread is peanut butter and jelly/jam! Yes, all grown up but still love my PB&J! When everyone is having their sandwiches filled with fresh vegetables, I am busy slathering peanut butter and jam onto one of my slices!

Another favorite of mine now? Sunflower butter using sunflower seeds! I still want my crunchy peanut butter but hey! Love this too now!

NO-BAKE GRANOLA BARS:

Making granola bars was high on my list of to-do healthy snacks! Going out of town for a few weeks, so, decided to clean up the fridge and pantry! Had some oats, sunflower seeds and dry fruits so now was a good time as any other to make these healthy snack bites!

All you need is to melt sunflower butter (or peanut butter if you cannot find sunflower butter) with some brown sugar (or honey) and coconut oil (or butter).

Stir into toasted rolled oats and other dry ingredients (any kind you like; dried fruits, nuts, chocolate chips, chia seeds, hemp seeds etc.) and set into bars.

I have used sunflower seeds, dried apricots, dates and of course chocolate chips for the chocoholic in me!

Had to put in some chia seeds for added nuttiness and nutrients! This is optional.

Chill in fridge or freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes and cut into desired shaped bars.

NO-BAKE ENERGY BITES/LADOOS

If you prefer, instead of setting into bars, you can roll the mixture into small energy bites or balls called “ladoos” in India.

Just press small quantities of the oats mixture into 1-inch balls/ladoos and enjoy these cute, healthy, easy and quick granola bites any time you have a snack attack!

This granola mixture is so good and delicious, I was spooning some right off the bowl! So, if you are not in the mood to make bars or ladoos, just eat them like a granola mixture! A great way to include oats, nuts and dry fruits in your diet!

So, how about you try these vegan No-Bake Sunflower Butter Granola Bars/Bites/Ladoos with ingredients you have in your pantry and serve up something healthy (of course along with all those devilish, divine goodies you normally serve up) these holidays!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays/Diwali!

Here are some more healthy bites you can rustle up this holiday season:

Yum

Sunflower Butter Granola Bars/Energy Bites/Ladoos

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 10 bars

Sunflower Butter Granola Bars/Energy Bites/ladoos – wholesome, healthy, no-bake snack with oats, dates, apricots and sunflower seeds.

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup mini chocolate chips
¼ cup chopped dried apricots
¼ cup chopped dates
2 tbsp chia seeds
1 cup sunflower butter
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tbsp coconut oil
Pinch salt

Optional add ins:

Dried cranberries, raisins, chopped peanuts, flax seeds or powder etc.

Instructions

Roast/toast rolled oats and sunflower seeds (if raw) in 375 Fahrenheit/180 Centigrade oven for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden brown.
You can place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and then bake.
Remove and let cool.
In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil/butter, brown sugar and sunflower butter on medium flame until just melted.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap so that you can lift it easily once the bars are set!
In a large bowl, add the toasted oats, sunflower seeds, chopped dates, apricots and chia seeds.
Pour the sunflower butter mixture over this and mix gently but thoroughly with a silicone spatula, spoon or even clean hands. If the mixture is cool enough, stir in the mini chocolate chips too, but make sure it is not hot or warm to melt the chocolate!
Transfer the mixture into parchment lined pan and press well evenly throughout, using your hands or a flat bottomed bowl or measuring cup.
The mixture should be packed tight or they may crumble when cutting!
If needed top with more chocolate chips.
Freeze 15 to 20 minutes or chill for 30 minutes.
Remove from fridge and gently lift the parchment paper with granola bars from the pan.
Cut or chop into even-sized bars with sharp knife and enjoy!!
Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy whenever you get a snack attack.

TO MAKE THE ENERGY BALLS OR GRANOLA LADOOS:

Instead of setting them into bars, you can also make small balls/ladoos of them.
Once the oatmeal mixture is thoroughly mixed, chill in refrigerator for a few minutes (helps in making the balls/ladoos).
Press or roll small amounts of mixture (depending upon how small or big you want these energy balls) into 1-inch balls and enjoy immediately or store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Happy and Healthy Eating!