My fellow gym rats were delighted when I brought these Paleo friendly, high protein, gluten free snacks to the gym last week. The consensus? These gluten free power bars hit the spot.
Made with healthy, high protein almond flour and nutritious goji berries, the gang wolfed these down, then asked for more. I promised them I would post this recipe for gluten free power bars and so here it is.
First though, a bit about goji berries. Goji berries (also known as wolfberries) are a superfood, slowly gaining attention and popularity in this country.
Research shows that berries are superfoods and that eating berries such as goji berries, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries can be beneficial for your health. Berries contain powerful antioxidants and other compounds that can boost the immune system and lower cholesterol; further, it is thought that the nutrient properties in berries can prevent cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.
Goji berries in particular have compounds rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene and B vitamins. These compounds are thought to have anti-aging benefits and boost immune function. Incidentally, goji berries have been used for centuries in Traditonal Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Dried goji berries tend to be a bit…dry. So I like to plump mine up before I use them by placing them in a bowl and pouring a bit of boiling water over them. This brings out their juicy goodness, makes them easier to digest and simply prevents them from being too hard.
When you plump your gojis, let them sit in the hot water for 10-15 minutes until the water is mostly absorbed, then discard any remaining water (there won’t be a lot).
Janell Garwood says
Oh goodness! Thank you Thank you Thank you for this recipe! I love goji berries. I learned about them from Kelly aka The Spunky Coconut and I put them in my smoothies everyday. Its awesome to have a new recipe for them. Can’t wait to try these!!
GrainFreeGroupie says
So glad you posted a goji recipe, i always see them at WF and wonder what i’d do with them. on another note- i heard that Thomas Keller has just created his own line of gluten free flours for sale at william sonoma, so that might be another option for people with nut allergies?
Beth says
These look and sound great. Perfect recipe for my dwindling supply of Goji Berries.
Cindy says
You use alot of almond flour in your recipes, is there another gluten free flour or blend that can be subsituted for those with nut allergies?
Jessica Wayman says
My favorite lunch as a child was Campbell’s tomato soup with either a grilled cheese or an american cheese with mayo, iceberg lettuce on white bread sandwich. I sometimes recreate this now but gluten free and a Vitamix raw version of the soup.
It’s raining here today and a bit chilly. I think that’s what will be for lunch!
Susan Jane says
TERRIFIC recipe for toddlers Elana. I can’t get coconut sugar, but will try iron-rich molasses for the little one instead. Will let you know if it works.
Many thanks. Very creative.
Sarah says
I don’t see stevia on the ingredients, but it’s in the recipe.* What form of stevia did you use?
Thank you!
* is the stevia the nunaturals line?
Cari says
Could I use sucanat? Would I use the same amount?
Linda says
I am not fond of Stevia. Assume I can use Agave or Xylitol?
Shirley @ gfe says
Trying to think of you as a gym “rat” … just doesn’t sound right. LOL I bet you are super popular at the gym bringing in healthy goodies like these bars though. ;-)
xo,
Shirley