Quinoa, Barley & Pumpkin Energy Bars

I’m rather disenchanted with commercially made cereal bars as they’re usually far too sweet for my taste. I decided it was time to develop my own alternative and came up with this simplest of recipes using only the loveliest of ingredients.

Fresh and dried fruit reduce the need for added sugars and fats in this recipe. The energy bars contain no saturated fat and the use of a small amount of apple juice concentrate avoids the need to add more refined sugars.

Crammed full of nuts and seeds, and using naked barley flakes and quinoa puffs - both of which are high in protein and fibre and packed with vitamins and other nutrients - these energy bars are full of healthy ingredients that deliver slow-release energy.

This is yet another delicious recipe from our illustrator Carol Kearns, who also publishes the superb blog The Art of Baking.

Makes 12 bars

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