DIY KIND Bars
Learn how to make DIY KIND bars that taste just like the original! Customize the bars in countless ways for a fraction of the cost.
Servings: 10 bars
Equipment
- 1 8 inch square baking ban
Ingredients
- 1.67 cups nuts or seeds, chopped (raw or toasted)
- 1/4 cup crisp rice cereal (certified GF, as needed)
- 1/3 cup chopped dried fruit (e.g., raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, dried cherries, dried blueberries)
- Optional : 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup brown rice syrup (see notes for options)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F (160C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan (9-inch is too big* see note below) with parchment paper or nonstick foil (alternatively, grease or spray traditional foil).
- In a medium bowl, combine the chopped nuts/seeds, cereal, and dried fruit. Add the salt and syrup and stir to coat.
- Scrape mixture into prepared pan. Tear off a good size piece of nonstick foil or parchment paper (around the size of the pan or slightly smaller). Use the paper or foil to firmly press and spread evenly into pan.
- Bake for 18 minutes (the bars will not be hard at this point).
- Place pan on cooling rack and let cool for 15 to 20 minutes (give or take) until partially set up (it will depend on how hot or cold the kitchen—just don’t cool completely).
- Use the sides of foil to lift the bars from the pan. Do not try to remove from foil—they will stick like crazy. Cut into 10 bars.
- Once cooled, the bars will lift right off of the foil. Wrap in parchment or wax paper and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Variation
Just Nuts KIND Bars: Follow recipe above but omit the dried fruit; increase the nuts to 2 cups.
Notes
Note about Toasted vs. Raw Nuts: I am a big fan of the toasted nut. You can use either raw or toasted in these bars, but seriously…they are so much yummier if you toast the nuts first! If you, like me, experience burst of laziness, feel free to use roasted nuts (seeds, too). If they are lightly salted, just be sure to omit the added salt. Note about Measuring Nuts: Measure the nuts BEFORE you chop (i.e., 1 cup unchopped nuts, then chop them). If you measure 1 cup chopped nuts, you will have too many. Note about Measuring Dried Fruit: Conversely to measuring nuts, here you want to chop the fruit first, and then measure. Note about Pans: If you don’t have the correct pan size, don’t fret. If you have a 9-inch (22.5 cm) pan, increase all of the quantities slightly (e.g., about 1 and 2/3 to 1 and 3/4 cups total nuts and seeds, 1/2 cup dried fruit, 1/3 cup syrup). Cooking times remain the same. And if you only have a round pan, use it! Who says these have to be cut into rectangles? Wedges or crazy shapes are pretty cool and every bit as delicious. Syrup: An equal amount of corn syrup will work in place if brown rice syrup. Look for organic brands, if possible. Honey may work (note it is not vegan). Maple syrup and agave nectar will not work.
Note about Toasted vs. Raw Nuts: I am a big fan of the toasted nut. You can use either raw or toasted in these bars, but seriously…they are so much yummier if you toast the nuts first! If you, like me, experience burst of laziness, feel free to use roasted nuts (seeds, too). If they are lightly salted, just be sure to omit the added salt. Note about Measuring Nuts: Measure the nuts BEFORE you chop (i.e., 1 cup unchopped nuts, then chop them). If you measure 1 cup chopped nuts, you will have too many. Note about Measuring Dried Fruit: Conversely to measuring nuts, here you want to chop the fruit first, and then measure. Note about Pans: If you don’t have the correct pan size, don’t fret. If you have a 9-inch (22.5 cm) pan, increase all of the quantities slightly (e.g., about 1 and 2/3 to 1 and 3/4 cups total nuts and seeds, 1/2 cup dried fruit, 1/3 cup syrup). Cooking times remain the same. And if you only have a round pan, use it! Who says these have to be cut into rectangles? Wedges or crazy shapes are pretty cool and every bit as delicious. Syrup: An equal amount of corn syrup will work in place if brown rice syrup. Look for organic brands, if possible. Honey may work (note it is not vegan). Maple syrup and agave nectar will not work.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Bar | Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 117mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg