I feel like there isn’t enough coffee in the world some days. Hello coffee coffee coffee. Does anyone have any tricks? What puts a pep in your step midday? I hit a wall.
I think the issue is my sleeping at night is the worst. Ok, true it was way worse when I had itty bitty babies that NEVER slept, but for some reason I’ve been having the hardest time falling asleep. And then I wake up at least once in the middle of the night and toss and turn a bit. My mattress stinks. Not smelly, just like not a good mattress. Maybe I need a new pillow, I don’t know. Last night I blasted a space heater at myself and put lavender essential oil on my pillow and it definitely eased me into sleep.
But then there was that whole waking up a couple hours later in a sweat scene and turning off the heater. Lavender essential oils, though. You need it.
When I was in 7th grade I had this stress relief pillow spray. Because 7th grade life is stressful! I would spray it every night, soaking my pillow with this stuff. Then I’d place my head on it so my face was secondarily misted from the little beads that repelled across my pillow fabric. I wanted to absorb the stress relief into my sleeping pores. Apparently my creature comforts have not changed since I was 13. Don’t judge me too hard.
I struggle with breakfasts. I’ve mentioned this a million times before, and I feel like I’m on the constant search for the perfect easy, grab and go breakfast food. I used to be obsessed with granola bars, but they became kind of a pricey habit and the ones I was buying weren’t that healthy. This morning, in an effort to avoid the kitchen, I got a protein bar from the store and I decided in that exact moment that I needed to just dig my heels in and make my own granola bars already. Because the one I got STUNK and I knew I could make one a million times better. And so I did.
I feel like this could be a Sunday tradition for me. Make granola bars every Sunday to have for breakfasts throughout the week. Done.
Truth be told I’m not certain these should be classified as “granola” bars. They’re definitely bars. They’re definitely delicious. They border on dessert, or quite well may be full on in dessert territory. But calling them “granola” bars makes them healthy, right? Despite the fact they have ZERO granola in them? Totally appropriate for breakfast.
Ok, I just went back and changed the name of these. These are NOT granola bars. They are peanut butter bars. But they’re different than these crispy chocolate butter bars because these and creamy and crunchy and those babies are crispy. So there. Different.
And so we’re off. Creamy Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars here we come!!
Mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil, agave, vanilla, and sea salt. Whisk until smooth and combined.
With a rubber spatula, fold in the nuts, coconut shreds, chocolate chips, flax seeds, and chopped almonds.
Line a bread pan with parchment paper and pour the batter in. Use your rubber spatula to smooth it out and sprinkle with additional chips and nuts. Place it in the freezer for about 2 hours.
Remove from pan by pulling the sides of the parchment paper. Cut into bars and store in fridge.
Creamy Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars
The best no bake bars ever!! These creamy crunchy peanut butter bars are perfect for breakfast, dessert, and snacking in between!
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoons agave nectar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut shreds
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup flax seeds
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
Instructions
- Whisk together the peanut butter, coconut oil, agave, vanilla, and sea salt until smooth and combined.
- With a rubber spatula, fold in the nuts, coconut shreds, chocolate chips, and flax seeds.
- Line a bread pan with parchment paper and pour the batter in.
- Use your rubber spatula to smooth it out and sprinkle the top with additional chips and nuts.
- Place in the freezer for about 2 hours.
- Remove from pan by pulling the sides of the parchment paper.
- Cut into bars and store in fridge.
Tips
Serving: Calories 405; Fat 32.2g (Sat 13.5g); Protein 12.9g; Carb 21.3g (net carb 13.9g); Fiber 4.7g; Sodium 41mg
This is probably one of the easiest recipes. I love the no-bake (always love no-bake!) and the obvious deliciousness of it. So there’s that. Enjoy!! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
So many nuts!!! These look perfect!!!
Lindsay says
Thanks Rebecca!! Give me alll the nuts. Wait…
Lili says
Hello! I made them but after you get them out of the freezer they begin kind of melt , is this what you expect? Or are the supposed to keep out of the freezer?
Lindsay says
Hi Lili,
Yes, they are definitely melty and you should store them in the fridge when you’re not eating them! 🙂
Elissa says
Can you store in the freezer? If no, how long will they last in the fridge?
Lindsay says
Hi Elissa!
Yes, you can store in the freezer. I think they’d last in the fridge for a really long time – definitely a few weeks! There’s nothing really in them that go bad, so I’d say as long as your nut butter and coconut butter stay good, I think the bars would stay good in the fridge! xo
Natalie @ A Fit Philosophy says
OH. EMMM. GEEEE! These look to die for!
Lindsay says
You’re so cute!! Eeee, they’re sooo yummy!!
The Food Hunter says
Im going to try it with cashew butter.
Lindsay says
YES!! I’m obsessed with cashew butter!! Let me know how it goes!! xo
Susan says
I have been looking for a yummy snack bar to make and these look amazing! My daughter and I will make them over the weekend. And on the lavender oil – heck yes! If you are using a 100% pure oil you can rub a little on the bottoms of your feet or diffuse it to you to give you an extra little sleepy boost (;
Lindsay says
Yay! Let me know how the bars go! I really love them. Thanks for the oil on the feet tip! I’ve been doing it the past few nights and feel like there’s definitely been a difference! xo
Lindsay says
I’ve just started putting it on my feet and feel like it really makes a difference. I’ll try it on my chest too! I’m from the mindset that the more the better! haha