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Dark Chocolate Cherry and Chia Energy Bars

Shaina · February 20, 2014 · 99 Comments

A recipe for easy energy bars packed with chia seeds, dried tart cherries, dark chocolate, nut butters, and oats for a quick snack to keep you going.
Dark Chocolate Cherry and Chia Energy Bars #recipe via FoodforMyFamily.com



Each morning begins the same. Pushing back the down comforter that radiates warmth, I face the cold winter light and slip my feet into woolen socks and slippers. Wrapping myself in a thick sweater, I head towards the kitchen. As water for coffee starts to warm, the butter hits the pan, melting instantly on the warming metal. A light tapping against the stovetop sends a soft crackle through the air and the eggs drop softly, sizzling as they meet the hot surface.

While breakfast cooks, I stare into the contents of my refrigerator and tick off the revolving list of lunch items that could be packed in their boxes. With four lunches to prepare each morning, the contents ever changing, it is easy to fall into a rut, especially in the winter months when the market is shuttered, its bountiful stalls not overflowing with lunchtime inspiration until spring.

Even when I’ve packed the lunchbox with the necessary items – grain, protein, dairy, fruit, vegetable – I still sometimes struggle with that final piece of the puzzle: the midday snack. Eaten at their desks, I need something that will carry them through their class work and morning schedule until the lunch bell rings. It needs to be packed with goodness but also entice them to consume it in the midst of friends and distractions.
Dark Chocolate Cherry and Chia Energy Bars #recipe via FoodforMyFamily.com
My standby for the last two years in this space has been homemade trail mix: seeds, dried fruit, a bit of chocolate every now and then, coconut flakes. I keep the ingredients on hand, and I mix it together as I need it, pouring off small portions into small tins and silicone sleeves. Regardless of the activity – school, snowboarding, swimming – this has become my crutch that I lean hard on when I need a quick fix to go.

Sure, I have wonderful intentions of baking up a few granola bars, of tossing together a tiny cooler filled with yogurt and other snacks, but when it really comes down to it, in the midst of everything else going on, I need something that’s quick to fix and easy to have ready to grab and go and pack a punch.

Chia seeds have been an “it” food for a while, with everyone lauding their ability to boost energy, provide minerals like iron, omega-3s, help stabilize blood sugar, and more. They find a home here with rolled oats, dried tart cherries, dark chocolate, raw pumpkin seeds, and a binder of honey and peanut butter (or any other nut/seed butter to make them school-friendly). Whipped together in a matter of minutes, these keep in the refrigerator and are easy to grab as you head out the door. Add a banana or a Clementine, and you’re set for a few hours of snowboarding, a hike through the woods, to make it through a long day at a swim meet, or simply for an everyday school snack.
Dark Chocolate Cherry and Chia Energy Bars #recipe via FoodforMyFamily.com

Dark Chocolate Cherry and Chia Energy Bars

Yield: 20
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
  • 1/4 cup raw pepitas
  • 1 cup peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, or other nut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup dried tart cherries

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, chia seeds, dark chocolate, and pepitas. Stir to combine.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the nut/seed butter, honey, vanilla, and the salt. Stir until smooth. Pour the butter and honey mixture over the oat mix and stir until evenly coated. Then stir in the cherries.
  • On a baking sheet using a 2-3" cookie cutter, press the energy bar mix into the cutter and press firmly. Continue until the mixture is gone.
  • Place the energy bars in the refrigerator until firm and then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
  • © Shaina Olmanson
    Category: snack, school lunch


    Adam’s Natural Peanut Butter has teamed up with the National Parks Conservation Association to encourage you to make a difference and stay active. Simple snacks like these energy bars are part of that, making winter outdoor activities easy and enjoyable.

    Disclosure: The Adams and JM Smucker brands provided me with a gift pack as part of this campaign.

    Filed Under: Featured, Recipes, School Lunches

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. meredith in sock monkey slippers says

      February 20, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      I love this! Gorgeous snacking is in my future!

      Reply
    2. Megan Phillips says

      February 20, 2014 at 4:15 pm

      I love homemade granola bars!

      Reply
    3. Margo Millure says

      February 20, 2014 at 5:46 pm

      homemade granola bars or nut bread, apples, string cheese.

      Reply
    4. Melissa Weatherford says

      February 20, 2014 at 6:51 pm

      We eat a lot of fruit and nuts. Also a ton of bread as I make it a couple of times a week. I am experimenting with making my own granola and granola bars now, and this recipe looks amazing!

      Reply
    5. Natalie says

      February 20, 2014 at 6:54 pm

      My go to snack is a mixture of fruit, granola and yogurt.

      Reply
    6. amy says

      February 20, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      I can’t wait to try these!

      Reply
    7. Christine Park says

      February 20, 2014 at 7:31 pm

      Mine are trail mix bars and dried prunes! I also love bananas:)

      Reply
    8. Colleen Boudreau says

      February 20, 2014 at 8:28 pm

      I like nuts and granola.

      Reply
    9. Emily says

      February 20, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      I’ve been getting board with my snacks, and these look like a great way to switch things up. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    10. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says

      February 20, 2014 at 9:27 pm

      I would have loved to have one of these in my lunchbox as a kid!

      Reply
    11. Jessie C. says

      February 20, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      This looks so good! And it has all my favorite ingredients.

      Reply
    12. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

      February 20, 2014 at 10:25 pm

      Mmm, I would wait all day for snack time for these. 🙂 Love the flavors.

      Reply
    13. Tieghan says

      February 20, 2014 at 11:36 pm

      Loves these flavors and all those seeds! Perfect for snack or breakfast!

      Reply
    14. Kyle Balke says

      February 21, 2014 at 12:03 am

      Excited to try these out.

      Reply
    15. Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says

      February 21, 2014 at 8:04 am

      so pretty!!

      Reply
    16. Maria | Pink Patisserie says

      February 21, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Seriously gorgeous.

      Reply
    17. Jenna says

      February 21, 2014 at 9:41 am

      I think I will be making these today! They look yummy!

      Reply
    18. Katie says

      February 21, 2014 at 9:41 am

      These look great! I make my own granola bars quite a bit (the ingredient lists on most store bought ones are a little scary) and I love your idea of forming individual round bars. Super clever!

      Reply
    19. Thomas Murphy says

      February 21, 2014 at 10:44 am

      Looks good! Thanks for the giveaway.

      Reply
    20. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 21, 2014 at 10:51 am

      These look yummy and very healthy!

      Reply
    21. Kathy Fleming says

      February 21, 2014 at 11:51 am

      This is such a great easy healthy recipe.

      Reply
    22. Tammy says

      February 21, 2014 at 12:11 pm

      These sound amazing!

      Reply
    23. Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says

      February 21, 2014 at 1:29 pm

      Love these power pucks! Fun shape Shaina full of goodness!

      Reply
    24. MaryB says

      February 21, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      These look wonderful. I have all but the chia seeds on hand – I am definitely going to be making these this weekend. What a delicious sounding, quick and easy snack.

      Reply
    25. Sarah says

      February 21, 2014 at 3:39 pm

      I am looking forward to trying these

      Reply
    26. Dawn Monroe says

      February 21, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      They look healthy and delicious but I have to admit I have no idea what a raw pepita is.

      Reply
      • Nita says

        July 15, 2014 at 5:10 pm

        They are from inside a pumpkin seed. You can buy them in bulk food section – they are green and oblong.

        Reply
    27. Birdiebee says

      February 21, 2014 at 7:19 pm

      Those look really good as well as healthy.

      Reply
    28. Joanne T Ferguson says

      February 21, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      G’day and looks very healthy indeed! Love the combination!
      Cheers! Joanne

      Reply
    29. Kalynn Carter says

      February 21, 2014 at 10:51 pm

      yum

      Reply
    30. Jeannette Laframboise says

      February 22, 2014 at 12:22 am

      Wow, this is definitely something I have never seen. Sounds delicious and great for an energy boost. I have always had issues around 1-2 in the afternoon with energy. I am fine until then but during that 1-2 time period I find myself feeling groggy and wishing for a nap. I will have to try this recipe out and see if it helps me get rid of the afternoon “blahs.”

      Reply
    31. Evelyn Chuter says

      February 22, 2014 at 1:12 am

      These sounds delicious! I have to try them. I have never thought about making a snack like this before but it looks and sounds yummy.

      Reply
    32. Jackie says

      February 22, 2014 at 1:40 am

      Love the idea of using a cookie cutter to shape.

      Reply
    33. Melissa says

      February 22, 2014 at 5:24 am

      I can’t wait to make these for my family. What. Great recipe. Thankd

      Reply
    34. Rebecca {foodie with family} says

      February 22, 2014 at 9:42 am

      Oh goodness do these ever look wonderful!

      Reply
    35. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 22, 2014 at 12:58 pm

      I love the combination of ingredients

      Reply
    36. Terri Quick says

      February 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm

      It looks good 🙂

      Reply
    37. Paula – bell’alimento says

      February 22, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      This energy bars look packed full of yumminess! Pinning!

      Reply
    38. Kitty says

      February 22, 2014 at 3:31 pm

      These bars look yummy!

      Reply
    39. James says

      February 22, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      Looks delicious!

      Reply
    40. Amy says

      February 22, 2014 at 9:59 pm

      These look amazing! Great breakfast idea.

      Reply
    41. Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody) says

      February 23, 2014 at 12:22 am

      My husband would love these to take to work and it would be such a great lunch box snack for my son, not to mention I’d be happy to eat the remainders. 🙂

      Reply
    42. Connie W. says

      February 23, 2014 at 11:36 am

      This recipe looks so good and nutritious!

      Reply
    43. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 23, 2014 at 2:07 pm

      These look like a great snack after a workout.

      Reply
    44. Terra says

      February 23, 2014 at 3:13 pm

      these look great. always looking for a new healthy snack.

      Reply
    45. John Heim says

      February 23, 2014 at 4:51 pm

      Using a cookie cutter? Huh?

      Reply
    46. Julie E Cothren says

      February 24, 2014 at 12:15 am

      seems interesting…

      Reply
    47. Domestic cleaners Camden says

      February 24, 2014 at 3:38 am

      Looking so delicious! Can’t wait to try!

      Reply
    48. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 24, 2014 at 9:49 am

      This is the direction I need to be headed with my food.

      Reply
    49. Carolyn says

      February 24, 2014 at 1:20 pm

      I love that these are round! And the flavours are so great. A perfect healthy snack!

      Reply
    50. TeresaH says

      February 24, 2014 at 1:29 pm

      I can think of so many uses for these. They look delicious – making them this weekend! Thanks.

      Reply
    51. Chris Mckenzie says

      February 24, 2014 at 5:34 pm

      These look tasty indeed.

      Reply
    52. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says

      February 24, 2014 at 8:13 pm

      Excellent recipe – love this for an easy on-the-go snack!

      Reply
    53. Gaby says

      February 24, 2014 at 10:12 pm

      This is my kind of snack!

      Reply
    54. Shari w. says

      February 24, 2014 at 10:42 pm

      Planning to make these snack bars ASAP! They look so good.

      Reply
    55. Brandy Davis says

      February 25, 2014 at 12:45 am

      These look so good, Im going to make these.

      Reply
    56. Katherine says

      February 25, 2014 at 8:52 am

      I always like seeing new ideas for energy/granola bars! These look tasty.

      Reply
    57. Sarah says

      February 25, 2014 at 9:57 am

      Can’t wait to try this!

      Reply
    58. Deanna says

      February 25, 2014 at 10:10 am

      Yum! These look amazing and what great looking prize pack.

      Reply
    59. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 25, 2014 at 11:01 am

      I really need to try these!

      Reply
    60. Meredith says

      February 25, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      This looks like the perfect afternoon snack!

      Reply
    61. holly says

      February 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      Delicious! I’m not that into snack bars with chocolate, but this could be a base for a lot of delicious things!

      Reply
    62. Kyle says

      February 25, 2014 at 3:53 pm

      Can’t wait to give this a whirl!

      Reply
    63. Liz says

      February 25, 2014 at 4:06 pm

      These look really tasty. They’re on my list!!

      Reply
    64. Thomas Murphy says

      February 25, 2014 at 11:04 pm

      looks good!

      Reply
    65. Lee says

      February 26, 2014 at 1:26 am

      Looks like a snack we’ll be taking with us on our upcoming Spring Break mini-vacation to Joshua Tree!

      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    66. Gretchen says

      February 26, 2014 at 8:13 am

      I love homemade granola, granola balls and granola bars. Granola sprinkled over yogurt is a to to breakfast in our family. These look great, will have to give it a try sometime.

      Reply
    67. Teresa says

      February 26, 2014 at 8:23 am

      I’m so glad I started eating healthier and also making almost all of my own food at home this past year. Now I get to try delicious recipes like this one!

      Reply
    68. Cherie Buchanan-Kaech says

      February 26, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      I am always looking for new recipes to try.

      Reply
    69. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 26, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      I definitely need to switch up snacks and these would be great.

      Reply
    70. wendy@chezchloe says

      February 26, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      I’m just starting to make my own bars- tired of spending money on Lara bars! love the shape and the whole bits.

      Reply
    71. Kristie says

      February 26, 2014 at 6:51 pm

      Thanks for this great and easy recipe!

      Reply
    72. Thomas Murphy says

      February 26, 2014 at 8:26 pm

      Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

      Reply
    73. Judy says

      February 26, 2014 at 8:59 pm

      Just bought chia seeds…this looks great

      Reply
    74. Lacey Dellinger says

      February 27, 2014 at 8:18 am

      This is by far the best give away ever! I will definitely try the bars – chia seeds are a great filler. Do these get crunchy or stay moist?

      Reply
    75. Meredith says

      February 27, 2014 at 9:35 am

      These are exactly what I need. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    76. Amanda Sakovitz says

      February 27, 2014 at 12:31 pm

      looks like such a fun recipe!

      Reply
    77. Thomas Murphy says

      February 27, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks for the great giveaway!

      Reply
    78. laurie says

      February 27, 2014 at 8:21 pm

      this looks so delicious, and I love making my own food

      Reply
    79. Maria Dollar says

      February 27, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      This sounds delicious!

      Reply
    80. Megan says

      February 27, 2014 at 11:43 pm

      Can’t wait to try this! We are in a big time snack rut over here. Thanks!

      Reply
    81. laurie says

      February 28, 2014 at 12:14 am

      I would love to try this

      Reply
    82. Linda says

      March 10, 2014 at 3:54 pm

      This makes an AWESOME post workout snack!!

      Reply
    83. Brenda says

      April 19, 2014 at 12:38 pm

      Shaina,

      Thanks for the GORGEOUS photos and recipe of these lovely lil treats!! Do you have the nutrition facts of these?? Very curious!!

      Thank you!!

      Brenda

      Reply
    84. Roberta says

      September 24, 2014 at 6:44 pm

      These look yummy. How do they keep? Can I make some up, and keep them in the fridge for an impromptu outing, or should they stay in the freezer?

      Reply
    85. Lisa says

      March 2, 2015 at 2:55 pm

      I have been making these for my athlete for college. Only problem is they get gooey and she would like to take on road trips. Is there a way to maybe put in oven and make them a little crispier or ale to stay out of fridge?

      Reply
      • AlyssaBug says

        March 22, 2017 at 7:00 pm

        Hi. I know it’s been quite a while since you may have made this recipe, but I was wondering if you had ever found it effective to put the bars in the oven? I just don’t want them to get soft.

        Reply
    86. Cheryl says

      April 19, 2016 at 6:01 pm

      Thank you for this delicious recipe! I’m a preschool teacher and am always looking for healthier, yet tasty cooking projects. My kids loved these! And they are now a staple in my home as well (my husband would eat the whole tray if I let him!)

      Reply
      • AlyssaBug says

        March 25, 2017 at 8:53 pm

        Did they happen to get gooey at all?

        Reply
    87. Erin says

      March 23, 2019 at 2:06 am

      These are fantastic! I made a couple of adjustments: using a combination of chia, hemp, and sesame seeds, using both peanut and almond butter, using agave instead of honey (I’m vegan), and using pistachios as well as the pepitas. I am so impressed with how the recipe came out! And I got the seal of approval from my boyfriend as well ?

      Reply
    88. Freeda Callison says

      December 5, 2019 at 6:32 am

      It is apparent that the writer is a data geek.
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    89. Henry says

      August 29, 2020 at 3:53 pm

      My goodness, thank you so much for gathering this information, it was exactly what I was looking for 🙂 thanks for sharing!

      Reply

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    Hello, I'm Shaina. Food for My Family is where I share recipes, tips, opinions, and my philosophy on food as Ole and I strive to teach our four children how to eat well: seasonally, locally, organically, deliciously, and balanced. [Read more...]
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