Chocolate nut crunch snack bars

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) natural peanut butter
• 1-½ cups (375 mL) brown rice puffed cereal
• 1/2 cup (125mL) whole unsalted roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) whole unsalted roasted almonds ,
• 1-¼ cups (300 mL) whole grain quick oats

Instructions

1. Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a microwavable bowl, melt chocolate chips on medium heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until just melted. Stir in peanut butter.
3. Mix rice cereal, nuts and oats in a bowl. Add to the wet ingredients, mix to combine. 
4. Press the chocolate nut mixture into the parchment lined baking pan to form an even layer. Let the mixture set in the freezer for 10 minutes until set before cutting into 12 slices.

• Nutrition know-how: Oats contain a type of fibre that helps to reduce its impact on blood sugar and helps to lower blood cholesterol. Eating oats regularly is good for both diabetes management but also heart health.
• Balanced snack: It is recommended that snacks are a combination of about 15 g carbohydrates and 7 g or more of protein. Pair a serving of this bar with a glass of milk or plant-based beverage to round it out.