Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Bars with Pomegranate! Oh heavens yes! A Vegan friendly and Gluten Free Chocolate Bar you can have for breakfast, snack, or dessert! Packed with Antioxidants (cocoa, almonds, pomegranate) and bursting with flavor. Healthy yet satisfying. Yes, I like to exaggerate but you get my point. Did I mention it’s grain free? YUM!
I didn’t get out much this weekend. I’m assuming many other people didn’t either? Blizzard 2016 in full force! Okay, Austin wasn’t really that cold. 6OF … BRRRRR! The Cedar allergies, on the other hand, were like a blizzard of pollen! Which means I was a total homebody and stayed inside. I watched two movies.. maybe three. That’s productivity ya’ll! Right? That being said, I didn’t make it to the store and the only thing left to eat this morning was a pan of gluten free chocolate goodness. I’m okay with that. Yep, Monday’s are saved by chocolate yet again. Gluten free chocolate pomegranate almond bars to be exact. I like to specify. 😉
It’s funny. I’m not really a chocolate person either. You all know I love SAVORY and spicy (especially in cheese form). But during the winter, that all changes. It’s like the body knows it needs something more decadent to survive the winds or cold! LOL! Can you blame it?
So I made these gluten free chocolate almond bars with pomegranate. Similar prep and similar macronutrients as these paleo(is) mango almond bars. Just different seasonal ingredients. Instead of using mango, I used pomegranate. And I decided these gluten free chocolate bars would be better served warm, so I baked them. Oh my, the tart bursts of pomegranate baked with chocolate totally takes these bars to a whole new level. I mean like a “I’m gonna brighten your day” kind of level! You get that right?
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Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Bars with Pomegranate
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9-11 1x
Description
Gluten Free Chocolate Almond Bars with Pomegranate {Vegan Friendly}
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw almonds
- ⅔ cup pomegranate seeds (clean and dried) Save some for topping.
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup vanilla pea protein powder or egg white protein/powder if you are paleo (see notes below for other options)
- ⅓ to ½ cup honey or maple syrup (use ½ cup if you want sweeter)
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water (purified)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Grind up your almonds in food processor or vitamix
- Next add in the coconut and almost all of your pomegranate and grind again. Save a small handful of pomegranate seeds for later.
- Pour into a large bowl and mix in cocoa powder and pea protein or egg white protein (this is for volume).
- In a separate small mixing bowl. combine your honey or maple syrup, ½ cup of hot water, and vanilla. Stir all together and add to your dry ingredients..
- Add in your vanilla and Sea salt.
- I usually test batter here to see if it’s sweet enough.
- If they batter gets to thick, just add more hot water or even a little honey. If it’s too wet, add more powder or a flour of choice (such as coconut or peanut flour)
- Mix well with hands then press into a lined baking dish. Sprinkle the rest of your pomegranate seeds on top.
- Bake at 350F for 25- 30 minutes. Check at 25 minutes just in case your oven bakes fast.
- Makes anywhere between 9-12 bars. You choose size!
Notes
If you can’t find pea protein egg white protein (I used Jay Robbs), you can use chia flour, 100% whey protein isolate, or Brown Rice Protein. But the texture and the baking time will be a little different, so adjust accordingly.
if you can’t find egg white powder or egg white protein, you can use meringue powder but it will have more sugar. Just FYI
Serving size: 1 Calories: 250 Fat: 18 Saturated fat: 3 Carbohydrates: 15 Sugar: 7 Fiber: 5 Protein: 10
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
Speaking of brightening your day, this little tidbit will make you smile! Did you know that pomegranates (in many cultures) are a symbol of health, fertility, and eternal life. I’m not ready for the fertility part quite yet. Haha, no baby Cotters here. But I sure would like some eternal life and health.
I’m thinking this eternal health is due to the fact that Pomegranates are the most POWERFUL anti-oxidant of all fruit. And apparently they “may have benefits to protect against depression and osteoporosis.” So yes, you should eat them religiously during winter to fight SAD (seasonal affective disorder). And it doesn’t hurt to pair it with more anti-oxidant rich chocolate either. Excuse me a minute while I go invest stock in pomegranates. Haha.You get my point. This –> gluten free chocolate almond bars with pomegranate… they can do wonders. Except get me to the store. Ugh, I might another bar to two to get me there.
So ….. friends, chocolate lovers, health fanatics, paleo(is) peeps, vegan folk, snack eaters, dessert connoisseurs.–>
I got you covered this week! Gluten free chocolate pomegranate almond bars : Make them, freeze them, eat them, share them, devour them, repeat.
And have a GREAT Monday! Stay warm!
[Tweet “Grain Free Chocolate Almond Bars with Pomegranate! #Vegan friendly #Healthy yet satisfying. “]
Are you going to get that chocolate or pomegranate consumption today? I’ll just pretend you said yes!
NOTES -I’m working on a few more organized layouts and designs for cottercrunch, so bear with me until we get it all finished this week.
p.s wish me luck, I’m gonna try adding eggs back into my diet. Pray it’s all good! Ok?
p.p.s It only took me 6 years, but guess what? I now have @cottercrunch handle on EVERYTHING social media. So update instagram and twitter.
*There are a few affiliate links within this post to help support Cotter Crunch site. Thanks so much!
These look delicious and I can’t wait to try them. Approximately how much almond meal is equivalent to 3 cups raw? I would like to use what I have on hand. Thanks, Mary
you meal almond meal vs ground almonds? so 7/8 cup whole, shelled Almonds = 1 cup ground Almonds. And 1 cup ground almonds makes about 3/4 cup almond meal or so. Which brand are you using?
Chocolate everyday! 🙂 love POMS too!
I knew you would! <3
I love how your site looks – so clean and pretty!
Is it weird I kind of miss cold weather!? Not being able to sleep because its so humid here in Summer is the worst…
Praying that eggs react OK! x
thank you friend! <3 you. ps i can't get to your website. Sad!
and yes, that humidity! It’s KILLER
Love that you used pea protein – you’re so on top of the trends!! Looks like a delicious recipe!
haha thanks jess!
HI! LOVE your new logo! Can’t wait to see how you transition the layout of your site 🙂
In OTHER news…these looks so so filling, nutritious, and YUMMY.
Thanks so much Jess!
You’d be proud! I get my chocolate antioxidants in every day 😉 And I’ll most definitely be keeping my fingers crossed for you with the eggs. Hope all is well! xox
haha that i know! you are glowing with antioxidants! Love it!
Wow, these look delicious, cannot wait to make a batch for myself!
Sam xx
★★★★★
keep me posted! i know each person grinds their almonds different so let me know how yours turn out. xxoo
These look really fantastic. I have a love/hate relationship with pomegranates – they are delicious but so.much.work! I am all about the breakfast bars these days, so I will pin these to make later!
haha i so get that!
I am all for chocolate and pomegranates, ALWAYS!
Way to embrace the chilly weather and rest/hibernate at home…sometimes it’s nice to have an excuse 🙂
I probably will not get either today BUT I would eat if you brought them to me! 🙂 I am not caring about fertility for sure! 🙂 Bones – YES!
haha no thank you fertility. <3
LINDSAY. As soon as your site loaded I GASPED, and said in a whispering voice “so pretttyyyy”. Oh em gee I love it. Seriously <3
And these bars! I AM a chocolate (and sweets) lover, duh, so these bars are def made for me. Love the addition of pomegranates. I probably do need more in my diet as I've been feeling the SAD, if we're being honest here 🙂
oh no! not sad! i’m sending you a pomegranate hug. xxoo
Oh I bet I’m not the only one laughing at the 60F being cold, that is a nice fall or spring day here! Whatever excuse you needed to stay in and bake I totally understand as I’m guilty of the same thing, umm I need to stay home this weekend and do laundry (while baking in between loads which consists of what maybe a few hours of throwing in laundry, folding, and putting it away)!
Good luck with eggs, my fingers are crossed for you my friend!
haha I know. I’m a wuss in cold!
Ok I’m glad you left a note because I was going to ask you if something changed w your site. So far so good!!
thank you! still a work in progress.
LOVING the new design and how clean it is!
thank you CLEAN EATING veggie girl. 😉
Something looks a bit different around here 😉
Never say you’re not a chocolate person…everyone is a chocolate person…even if they don’t know it 😉
HAHA truth
I didn’t have time to make anything for our travels… can you just deliver these in person to Las Vegas?
i can’t keep up with you and your travels. LOL!
I have 2 pomegranates in the fridge just waiting to become something great!! LOVEEE this idea! And the site is looking great – loving the look – I can’t wait to see the finished product 🙂 Who knew about eternity and fertility for the pomegranates. No babies for us here, but eternal life heck yes!!
What a great combination of flavors.
Wait – it was 60 there while Jonas was pounding the east coast??? Clearly I NEED to move at least while you are still there that way I can just stop by cos I was in the neighborhood everytime I see you post recipes like this cos I adore me some chocolate 24/7/365! Love the tart and tangy poms in these too!
And – speaking of changes – I’ll bear with ya no matter what! Happy Monday lady!
Ok, I know you’re not Jewish, but these are kismet for me today, as it is Tu B’Shvat, aka, the fruit holiday. Pomegranates are a big part of that.
You were reading my mind.
★★★★★
There will definitely be chocolate consumption today. Not sure if I’ll be able to find some pomegranate or not 😉 seriously saying a small prayer you can add eggs back into your diet. I couldn’t survive without them!
I like the new layout and fonts…Looks good lady…but these bars!!! Miss you and hope you had a good weekend…one of these days we will chat…HA! XOXO
still working on the site. can’t wait to see yours! and gah, i swear i’m gonna call you. I feel like i’m all over the place at moment. What’s new? LOL!
I’m good with the fertility part — 3 is enough — but I’ll take poms any day! 🙂
I also love to start my day with something sweet, so these chocolate bars look like heaven right now!
we can call you fertile myrtle! LOL!
I am such a HUGE fan of everything chocolate and pomegranate and this recipe is no exception. Is it bad that I want to cover these in more chocolate!?
now that is genius! more chocolate FTW!
Winter totally calls for more chocolate! So funny – my son just tried pomegranate at preschool and loved it – he was so excited! I’ll have to start buying! This recipe looks incredible 🙂
i bet you could add eggs and make it even better. LOL! 😉
Love the new header, and I’ve been loving pomegranates like crazy lately! Good to know they’re good for health and eternal life, though I’m definitely not ready for the fertility part either 😀
still working on the header and stuff but it’s getting there. <3 thanks friend. No babies HIGH FIVE!
Love the new look! Working on my website scares me. That’s why I do it all at once, and by and large touch it as little as possible!
Chocolate and pomegranate are amazing together. This must be made!
Good luck with eggs. Just think, you can start to have some of my massive egg white omelets soon!!
Egg whites are still a no no. It has to be a BIG EGG yolk with it. I dunno. so weird. It’s the seasonal allergies it brings. Ugh.. stupid body.
I’m liking the new design! As for pomegranates, they scare me a little. Good luck with the eggs!
Haha why do they scare you? And thx, in still working on the design but it’s getting there