Chocolate Chip Homemade Crunch Bars

Chocolate Chip Homemade Crunch Bars with a sweet and salty twist! The original “crunch” bar just got an upgrade! These gluten free homemade crunch bars are and made with uncured bacon bits, dark chocolate chips, cocoa, and toasted buckwheat. Sweet, crunchy, chocolatey, salty, and just plain DELICIOUS!  

Happy July 4th friends! If you are reading this, then you are probably like me. Totally making a lazy morning Holiday. Sorry not sorry. Yes, I’m lazy on a Holiday morning but that’s because our AC went out all weekend and we’ve been shuffling places in order to stay cool. Back home today, AC on, and I’m so using this time to chill (haha, pun intended). Plus I can finally use my kitchen again! Hooray for not sweating while baking! That being said, it’s time to restock the snack bar with actual bars. Or in this case, homemade CRUNCH BARS.

I’m actually making these gluten free crunch bars for an upcoming week of travel.  Not for me, but for the kiwi.  I told you that July was national snack month. Seriously, no joke! We can easily snack our way through summer.

You all know that bites and trail mix are a MUST make snack around here. But one must not live on one choice of snacks alone.  Right? I mean, variety is the spice of life.  Haha, at least not in our house. We seem to have bar or snack for ALL occasions. Hence these bacon chocolate chip homemade crunch bars. Um, ya’ll… uncured bacon and chocolate together. It’s AMAZING! And totally one of those sweet and salty combos that are perfect for travel. I always crave that combo when I on a flight or just traveling by car all day. Is it just me or do you crave the same?

Anyway, that’s off topic. Kinda. Let’s get back to talking about these crunch bars and why they so UNIQUE. Besides the bacon addition of course. When in doubt always add bacon.

Crunch bar. A bar of pure milk chocolate loaded with tons of rice crispy cereal crunches. Basically the best combo contrasting smoothness of the chocolate with the crunch of the crispy rice pieces. Except I didn’t use rice these gluten free. Nope. I used buckwheat! The crunch you get comes from that nutty ancient grain, chocolate chips, and bacon combined. Hmmmm maybe I should name these crack bars? LOL!

Now, let tell you why you MUST try these bars with buckwheat seeds (aka “groats”). I promise you will love my reasoning. haha!

First of all buckwheat is AWESOME! Toasted buckwheat, which takes like 5 minutes, is even better! And it’s not actually wheat, but an ancient gluten free grain/seed. The edible portion is a seed from a plant related to greens like rhubarb.

These little crunchy seeds are packed with nutrients and antioxidants  which totally makes them a superfood.”

Not only is buckwheat an awesome plant-based gluten free ancient grain, but it also has an amazing source of plant based protein!  Buckwheat grains contains roughly 11-14 grams of protein for every 3-4 ounces and is high in amino acid essential amino acids lysine and arginine. These amino acids help  boost the protein. (source).

So you see, these homemade crunch bars are actually pretty healthy. I mean, the chocolate chips and the bacon don’t really make it a superfood all together, haha. But… if you use REAL uncured bacon and REAL dark chocolate chips, then there’s some serious REAL FOOD power right there. Minerals, antioxidants, gluten free, and protein packed.

Totally bars that give you more Bang for your Buck(wheat)!  LOL!  Gosh, I know, I should stop with those puns. 😉

Chocolate Chip Homemade Crunch Bars {Gluten Free}

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• Author: Lindsay Cotter
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 9-11 1x

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Description

 Chocolate Chip Homemade Crunch Bars! These gluten free crunch bars are sweet, salty, crunchy, and healthy! Made with gluten free whole grains. Ready in 30 minutes.

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 3/4 to 1 cup groats (buckwheat seeds) See more options and for toasting first below
• 1/2 c almond flour
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (we use enjoy life brand)
• OPTIONAL – 1/2 c cooked uncured bacon (chopped or in bits). You may also use toasted coconut or coconut bacon (vegan)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 c coconut oil or melted real butter
• 1/3 – 1/2 cup maple syrup (or honey). Add more to Adjust to your sweetness
• 3/4 cup tapioca flour or gluten free multi purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

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Instructions

1. options for toasting buckwheat – toss your groats in coconut oil (1 tbsp or so). Feel free to add any spices like cinnamon. Toast groats spread out on baking tray at 350F for 5-6 minutes. This is optional but makes EXTRA crunchy.
2. Preheat oven to 350F. Mix your dried ingredients in one bowl. Whisk your egg, oil or butter, maple syrup, and extracts in another bowl. Combine your wet to dry and mix thoroughly. Should be like a crunchy thick batter.
3. Pour into 8×8 brownie pan (greased) and bake at 350F for 20 minutes or so. Check at 18 minutes to make sure it’s not overcooked. Depends on your oven.

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Notes

toasting buckwheat is optional. You can also use any other ancient grain (toasted or not). Like millet, quinoa, brown rice, amaranth, etc.

Kitchen Tools to help you make Healthy Homemade Crunch Bars!

Yup. BEST….. FUEL…. EVER!!!

Friends, you’re probably thinking I’m crazy right now. Um, why is she talking about buckwheat and bacon and crunch bars on a holiday? Well, because like I said, one cannot live off one snack option alone. And I’m pretty sure you’ll be reading this post holiday anyway. Yes?

Hope you Americans have a FUN FILLED and SAFE July 4th! Don’t forget to save your bacon for these bars. Just sayin…

P.s. Gluten Free Crunch Bars on Cotter Crunch. So fitting! I just had to!

Do you remember crunch bars? Have you ever made your own? I know LAURA has! Must make her chocolate gluten free Krispy squares bars next!

Cheers,

LC 

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