Last week, I finally replenished my Almond Butter stash after being without it for a few months. I really don’t know how I survived that long! I actually need to start making my own again too.
But the good news is, Almond Butter (crunchy, all-natural) is now back in my life and I can return to a normal human being.
Well, I guess that’s relative.
Anyways, I am willing to turn a new leaf in 2011 where I shall not be without my dear Almond Butter for this long.
This is a promise to myself.
For this recipe idea I challenged myself with several requirements:
- Portable
- Less than 5 minutes to prepare
- 5 Ingredients or less
- Around 100 calories
- No-Bake
- Vegan
- 1 Bowl
- Easily adapted to wheat/gluten-free
It was a tall order, but I was willing to take the challenge!
Amazingly, I was satisfied with the first trial. That rarely happens! It must be the magic of the Almond Butter.
I’m telling you, 2011 is going to be a lucky year…
5 Minute + 5 Ingredient No Bake Vegan Almond Butter Chews
Yield
7 golf-ball sized chews
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
5 mins
Total time
These Almond Butter Chews could not be any easier and they make a simple pre-workout snack for about 100 calories each. They take 5 minutes to whip up, use just 1 bowl, and do not require an oven! You could even make them gluten-free quite easily too. I use the Nature’s Path Rice Crisp cereal that just happens to also be Gluten-Free.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chunky all-natural almond butter
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup rice crisp cereal (I use GF Nature’s Path)
- 3 tbsp organic brown rice syrup (honey might work, but I’m not sure how it will hold together)
- 1 tbsp cacao nibs (or chopped chocolate)
Directions
- Line a plate with parchment paper.
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together the almond butter, brown rice syrup, and vanilla. Microwave on high for 35-45 seconds. Stir well and immediately add in the rice crisp cereal and cacao nibs (or chopped chocolate). Stir very well until fully mixed.
- Wet hands thoroughly and shape the mixture into ‘golf-balls’. Press mixture together firmly so it will hold.
- Wet hands after each ball is formed so the mixture will not stick to your hands. Place the balls onto parchment paper and freeze for 5 minutes. You can keep these chews in the freezer in a sealed container. I really enjoy them straight from the freezer. They remain nice and chewy.
Tip:
For nut-free option, use sweetened sunflower seed butter.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
I have been using this Nature’s Path Rice Crisp for a few years now and it never lets me down!
It also happens to be Gluten-Free to boot.
Gather up the 5 ingredients…
Mix the wet ingredients together (Almond butter, vanilla, and brown rice syrup)
I’m always asked where to find Brown Rice Syrup. You can find it at Whole Foods and at Loblaws/Superstore in the natural food aisle near the honey. I use Lundberg’s organic Brown Rice Syrup.
Brown Rice Syrup is made from brown rice and is thus a great alternative to refined sugar because it has a lower glycemic index and it also does not produce spikes in blood sugar like simple sugar. As a result, brown rice syrup delivers a steady and consistent energy supply. I fueled a half marathon using brown rice syrup once!
Stir well.
Heat in microwave on high for 35-45 seconds. Stir.
Now mix in the dry ingredients (rice crisp and cacao nibs or chocolate)
Make sure to stir very well so that you coat all of the rice crispies!
Now wet your hands very well and form into balls. You will have to keep wetting your hands after you make each ball so the mixture won’t stick.
I made 7 large chews.
Freeze for 5-10 minutes.
and enjoy!
Eric and I absolutely went wild over these Almond Butter Chews. I love them straight from the freezer. They are chewy, sweet (but not too sweet!), crunchy, and they pack a wonderful Almond Butter Flavour.
It is a great pre-workout snack when you just need something small and you don’t need a large snack or meal. I popped one in my bag and enjoyed it before a Body Pump class and it was just enough fuel to carry me through until I had a post-workout snack.
You might also be interested in my Chocolate PB Chew recipe too!
Those look fantastic! Now I just need to find me some brown rice syrup..
OMG! These are so cute! If only I had the time to keep up with all of the interesting recipes you post. Oh well, in another life!
Nutty Bars were my favorite growing up! I’ll defintiely try these out, but using agave since that’s what I keep in my pantry.
This may also be just the thing to use up all the cereal sample boxes I get from races… just last night I was looking in horror at my growing collection. :)
Oh man, I loved those Nutty Bars!! I for sure want to try making these now! lol
this is so funny that you posted these! i just made no bake granola bars the other day and theres one left (hmm howd that happen? anyway..) so i was looking at the empty glass container that they were in and was like hmm i need to make something quick and similar! so i think I’ll be making these :) i used puffed millet in my bars and i’ll probably do it for these, its so delicious!
Hahaha, oh no! I was just giving up my almond butter for awhile too. It’s an expensive addiction when you go through a jar in about 2 days. I’ll have to try this!
Oh my… in high school I lived off of a bag of vinegar chips, lemonade and a nutty bar for lunch. Every day. My habits have changed a bit since my metabolism doesn’t work quite like it did freshman year ;-)
I can’t wait to try these… I’ll have to try some substitutions for the brown rice syrup!
These look delicious! I bet they wouldn’t last two minutes in my house.
Do you think rough choped nuts would work instead of the puffed rice?
possibly!
I LOVE that they are Gluten-Free- yay! I’m excited to try them and give them to my husband and 11-month old- neither of whom can have gluten. When I was pregnant last year I used to crave Little Debbie’s nutter butter bars like crazy!!
These look SO good!! I’ve been severely lacking in the snacks dept. at home lately. I may need to make these tonight.
These look great! I am always looking for recipes for home-made school snacks, and these would be perfect except that we’re not allowed to use nut products. Makes it a challenge! I usually manage to get around this by replacing nuts with seeds in baking. Do you think tahini or pea butter would work in this recipe? Pea butter is sweetened, so I imagine you might be able to reduce the amount of brown rice syrup?
Thanks again for all your amazing recipes and inspiring photos – I look forward to opening your blog every morning :)
I think sweetened sunflower seed butter might work (TJ’s is great if you are in the US)
These look great!! I’m afraid to try them, though, because I’ll probably eat them all in one sitting!
Do the cacao nibs melt at all?
Nope they do not melt :)
Ahh these looks amazing! You seriously need to get a cookbook.
If you ever do a cookbook please incorporate step-by-step (ooo baby…NKOTB ;) ) photo instructions because it helps us beginner bakers learn!
Your husband is a lucky man, he must love being the guinea pig for taste testing!
Wow, if I can make my husband a healthy version of Nutty Bars, I will be quite a hero! Thanks so much!
How did you go so long without almond butter??? I have all the ingredients at home, can’t wait to try these tonight!
I have made something very similar to these with honey and it does stick together fine. Very yummy!
I love them already :)
Thanks for the recipe—I can’t wait to try!
~Lisa
Oh those look delish! Too bad i dont have any for tonight before my first bodypump class lol
how did you like the class?! any pointers for my first time tonight?
I used to do Body Pump for a few years back in university and I loved it (or loved to hate it???) My best tip is to start off with VERY low weights….even with low weights you will still be sore the next day. Have fun!
These look like a perfect pre-workout snack, wow! I bet all my gym buddies would be jealous of me if I brought some ;)
I LOVE the Nature’s Path crispy rice and have made rice crispy squares with it before – so tasty! These look so cute, and now I have a huge craving for almond butter!