One of my husband’s favorite snacks are these Sesame Bars. If you love sesame, you’ll love this treat. It reminds me of the sesame seed candy I loved growing up in Hawaii. Sesame seeds are an excellent source of manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and zinc, and a very good source of vitamin B1 (thiamin) and dietary fiber. The nutrients found in sesame seeds may offer cardiovascular benefits, reduce inflammation in those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, support respiratory health, and offer protection against colon cancer, osteoporosis and other conditions.
Measurements below are for a small batch. Double for a large batch. For the “glam” effect I used a Wilton brownie cutter to make these rounded-corner bars (purchased at Michaels). Totally not necessary. You can just cut them into bars.
Gluten-Free Sesame Snack Bars
Gluten-Free | Casein-Free | Citrus-Free | Corn-Free | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Fish-Free | Nightshade-Free | Peanut-Free | Potato-Free | Rice-Free | Shellfish-Free | Soy-Free | Wheat-Free | Grain-Free | Yeast-free | GFCF | Vegetarian | Easily Vegan
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsweetened dried COCONUT
- 1/2 cup raw CASHEW NUTS
- 1/3 cup ALMOND BUTTER
- 1/3 cup HONEY
- 1/4 cup COCONUT SUGAR
- 1/2 teaspoon gluten-free VANILLA
- 1/4 teaspoon CELTIC SEA SALT
- 1-1/2 cups raw SESAME SEEDS
- 3 tablespoons CHIA SEEDS (optional)
Instructions
- In food processor, pulse coconut and cashews into rough meal.
- In a medium saucepan, gently heat, just to soften and combine; almond butter, honey, coconut sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- In large bowl combine cashew mixture, almond butter mixture, sesame seeds, and chia seeds.
- Press firmly (I use a flat-bottomed glass) into a parchment-lined 8x8" pan. Bake at 300?F for 20 minutes. Cool and transfer to refrigerator. Once chilled, slice into small bars with a sharp knife. Store in refrigerator in an air-tight container.
Notes
Vegan: Substitute honey with agave nectar or brown rice syrup.
More Snacks
No-Bake Snackin’ Orbs over at Diet Dessert and Dogs
Snackin’ Tray over at Cook IT Allergy Free (this is a new idea for is and I love it!)
Power Bars over at Elana’s Pantry
Tortilla Pizza over at The Spunky Coconut
Monster Cookies over at The Spunky Coconut
Almond Pulp Crackers here at Flo and Grace
Sticky Toffee Power Balls here at Flo and Grace
Nut or Seed Butter on Apples here at Flo and Grace
Raw Nacho “Cheese” Dip here at Flo and Grace
Olena Hummus hhere at Flo and Grace
Saturday Pancakes (leftover) toasted & topped w/ Sunbutter here at Flo and Grace
32 comments
in a word…..AWESOME! These look fan-freakin’-tastic! You’re a genius! 😀
Do you think that these would work okay made with peanut butter instead of the almond?
Always looking for a healthy snack bar recipe! This looks so healthy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
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Michelle, thanks for your comment 😉
Nora, SURE, I think peanut butter would work just fine … let me know how you like them?
– Lexie
Just my kind of snack….. anything with sesame is automatically one of my favorites these days. Not sure if I get coconut sugar here. With what could I substitute it?
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Anja … To replace the coconut sugar you could use brown sugar or evaporated cane sugar. I think honey would even be fine. Might yield a sticker bar, not sure. Would have to try it : ) Thanks for visiting!!!
Miss Lexie… I made these today and they are FAB! Do you mind if I share this link to your recipe and post it on my blog. I really really LOVE these!!
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Hi Megan — go for it. I am so glad you are enjoying the recipe 🙂
xo
Lexie
Lexi is my neighbor so I get to taste her delicious creations all the time.. I have been dreaming about this one lately!! I will be going to get sesame seeds tomorrow to feed my craving!
Hi! Thank for sharing your knowledge,
if it is okay to you, I will use the ingredients to make this master piece, you are very talented and great, I cannot wait to make some. wooohoo!
Hey Lexi! Do you think the sesame bars can be put in a dehydrator instead of baking? They look so good! Thanks for all of your great recipies.
Hi Diane, I think there is a safe bet that they'd do fine in the dehydrator. If you try it, let me know how they turn out.
xoLexie
Made these for a play-date…and, they were a huge success! So good. Looking forward to my next Lexieskitchen creation.
Hi Lexie,
I did soak the sesame seeds and cashew nuts first then I dehydrated the sesame bars. They where AWESOME! I packed them with us on our vacation and everyone enjoyed them, now I have to make more. Thanks for your creative recipes!
Diane
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Diane!!! Great to know about the dehdydration technique! Thanks for sharing and taking the time to tell me you loved 'em ; )
xoLexie
Hi again Lexie,
Yes the dehydrated (110 drgrees) version was awesome. I put them in the dyhydrator on parchment paper, scored them when a bit firm and removed the parchment. By morning they where done. They became crispy when refridgerated and chewy when not. -so good either way. I also tried it with hazelnut butter, yummy!
Thanks again!
xo Diane
Ok, so maybe I am totally blanking out but where can I find sesame seeds? All I can think of is the small, small McCormick container and that would be a lot of little containers to purchase to get 1 1/2 C.!
Becca, great question :), Buying bottles of McCormicks would be expensive, ha! Not the way to go. Check your local natural food store. I buy mine at our local Natural Grocers in the refrigerated bulk section. They are very affordable when you buy this way (say 1/2 pound), Hope that helps 🙂
xoLexie
I can totally empathise with you! When my boys were younger they were always hungry! This is such a healthy snack and nutritious too! I keep thinking of joining Pinterest to boolmark all my favourite recipes! I might just do it this week!
Oh and Becca, bulk is usually not the best option if you are sensitive to cross contamination. Perhaps source sesame seeds from iherb.com, amazon.com or nutsonline.com.
xoLexie
Vicky, crazy! I grew up in a house of girls and we were never ravenous like these boys seem to be. When you get on Pinterest, let me know! xoLexie
Lexie, I've just requested an invitation to join Pinterest, they will send my an invitation soon!! I've done it! No more thinking about it! I'll let you know when I'm on and organised!
What a fantastic recipe, Lexie!! A great snack–and sesame seeds are so full of fiber and calcium, yum! Thanks for mentioning my No-Bake Snackin Orbs, too–a good reminder that I need to make them again. 😉 And yay for The Balanced Platter! 😀
Hi Lexie,
Great recipe. With two little ones and my appetite we are always snacking throughout the day so I love having new suggestions and recipes to try!
Great job!
Be Well,
–Amber
I love the list of snack foods – your nacho sauce is one of my faves! I'm going to make it today 🙂 Thanks for sharing TBP with your readers Lexie. xo
Really a great and healthy recipe! I love sesame seeds. Thank you for this snack idea!
These looks amazing! Can hardly wait to try these with my family!
Hello, my name is Megan Colyer and I am the Shiloh Farms Marketing Coordinator. Shiloh Farms is searching for Gluten Free recipes to feature on our new gluten free product packages. Would you be willing to share this recipe with us for some of our product packages? Please contact me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.
have you tried dehydrating these bars?? if yes how successful were you and how long did you have to dehydrate them?
thanks,
Gloria
Gloria, I am almost certain it would work just fine. With the dehydrator I just let it go and check on it every so often. Sorry I can't say that I know for sure. xoLexie
I want to try these with amaranth and semsame and to toast the coconut and other nuts, do you think it would work as well??
What type of texture do these have? Are they soft or crunchy?
Melissa, they are a very firm slightly chewy 🙂
Does it need any form of presevative for it to last when package ….let say months?
Sorry, I can’t speak to that. Perhaps package them and freeze?
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