Protein, fibers, and energy-packed bars that you can customize as per your taste buds. These are so easy and quick to make that there is no need to buy protein bars from the store. Moreover, homemade ones always ensure the best quality and better taste. There are NO CHEMICALS or ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS added. And all the ingredients are clean, natural, and innocent too 🙂
Check out other Navratri Fasting Recipes too: Quinoa Pulao, Dry Fruit Milk, Buckwheat Cheela.
What are Protein-Bars or Energy Bars?
Protein Bars are basically nutrient-dense food items that are packed with dried fruits, nuts, seeds, nut butter, grains, sweetener, etc. You can customize the recipe as per your taste. It makes an easier choice to include all vital nutrients (carbs, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fat) in your diet. You can have it for an easy breakfast or for a healthy snack. You can eat it before a workout or can even pack it for your trips. Even a small bar can keep you full for a long time.
Homemade Vs Store-Bought Protein Bars
With homemade energy bars, the control of the ingredients is in your hands. You can buy the best quality ingredients and be rest assured of the food that you are consuming. A homemade one is without a doubt much healthier. Store-bought bars may contain sugar, artificial flavors, chemicals, etc. that I prefer to avoid especially when I want to eat something healthy.
These protein bars are quite easy and quick to make and can last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. But if you do not have time and want to buy ready-made ones, always check the ingredients and buy a good quality bar.
What food items are allowed (or not) in Navratri?
There are two main food items that are not consumed during the Navratri season – onion and garlic. They are considered Tamsik in nature and hence to be avoided. If you are fasting then consuming lentils, grains, any grain flour like whole wheat flour, besan (gram flour), or all-purpose flour, salt, canned food, and the food prepared using onion and garlic are not allowed. Non-vegetarian food items including eggs are also not allowed. Devotees also prefer not to smoke or drink alcohol during these nine days.
Apart from that, you can consume dairy products like curd, milk, paneer, vegetables like potato, tomato, arbi, cucumber, carrot, bottle gourd, eggplant, etc. You can even consume coconut, nuts, and seeds. Spices like turmeric powder, red chili powder, cardamom, ajwain, etc. are also allowed.
Moreover, everybody has their own beliefs and follows their own rules. In my opinion, there is nothing right or wrong, allowed or not allowed. You can simply follow what you want. When I was in the hostel, we used to have food prepared with onion and garlic. That is what has been served to us. So, alter the recipe below as per what you eat during the Navratri season.
What grains (or pseudo-grains) can be consumed during Navratri?
Following grains or their flour can be consumed during Navratri season:
- Buckwheat or Buckwheat Flour (kuttu ka aata)
- Amaranth (Rajgira)
- Quinoa
- Water Chestnut Flour (singhade ka aata)
- Samai (samak ke chawal)
Easy Swaps
- Nuts & Seeds: Add anything that is available.
- Amaranth: If you are not fasting, you can replace amaranth with oats, puffed rice, cornflakes, etc.
Can I make it in the oven/microwave?
I will not suggest making it in the oven. You can surely roast amaranth and dry fruits (except raisins and dates) in the oven for 15 minutes. Roasting in the oven gives the best results in terms of texture and taste. It roasts the ingredients from the inside too and helps in releasing more flavors. But this recipe is especially for those who do not have an oven/microwave.
You can roast the ingredients on the stovetop and after combining everything, let it set in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
When is the best time to eat protein bars?
Protein bars make an excellent breakfast-on-the-go option. If you don’t have time to cook anything or even sit for a few minutes for breakfast, just grab a piece of this energy bar and it will keep you full and satiated for hours. You can even eat it before or after a workout. Just see how much you want to eat. Sometimes, just half a piece is enough to keep you going. These protein bars also make a quick and easy snack option. Instead of grabbing a pack of chips, just grab a piece of energy bar. Also, make sure to eat it in moderation.
Is this recipe Vegan?
Yes. All the ingredients used in this recipe are plant-based and vegan.
How to store homemade protein bars?
Homemade protein bars can be stored in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can even refrigerate for 2 to 3 weeks.
More Snack Recipes
Now grab all the ingredients because you are ready to make this nutrient-dense and wholesome treat at home. It is perfect for that sudden hunger pang. This way you can make a quick breakfast or dessert for yourself and your family. I am sure your kids will love it.
If you try this recipe & like it too, please share the photo of your creation on Instagram and tag us @thefearlesscooking. We just love to see your recreation of our recipes.
Happy Cooking 🙂
Love from us
Richa & Jatin
Navratri Fasting Recipe – Amaranth (Rajgira) & Dates Energy Bars
Protein-Rich. Gluten-Free. High Fiber.
Servings
Prep Time
Cook Time
Rest Time
Ingredients
- 125 g Puffed Amaranth (Rajgira)
- 300-400 g Soft Dates deseeded & chopped
- 1/2 cup Raisins
- 1/2 cup Almonds chopped
- 1/3 cup Pistachios chopped
- 1/4 cup Goji Berries optional
- 1/4 cup Flax Seeds
- 1/4 cup Desiccated Coconut
- 3 tbsp Peanut Butter
- A Pinch of Sendha Namak (Fasting Salt)
- 3-4 tsp Coconut Oil melted
Steps
- Roast Amaranth for a couple of minutes on medium flame. Take them out in a large bowl.
- Roast almonds, pistachios, and flax seeds for around 6 to 8 minutes on medium flame.
- Once done, switch off the flame and add desiccated coconut. Mix everything well.
Let the coconut roast with the heat of the pan.
- Transfer them to the same bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl - chopped dates, raisins, goji berries, peanut butter, coconut oil, and sendha namak (salt). Combine everything well preferably with hands.
- Transfer them to a lined baking tray (or any plate). Spread using your hands and then press tightly from the back of the glass.
- Refrigerate for around 4 to 5 hours and let them set well.
Coconut oil helps in making it firm.
- Once done, cut them into squares and enjoy :)
You can even shape them into balls.
FAQs
Following grain and their flours can be consumed during the fasting season:
- Buckwheat (Kuttu) – mostly available as kuttu ka aata
- Singhada (Water Chestnut) – mostly available as singhade ka aata
- Quinoa – It can be consumed since quinoa is a seed and not a grain.
- Samai – mostly available as samai rice or vrat ke chawal.
- Amaranth (Rajgira) – mostly available as grain or puffed.
Following are some of the protein-rich breakfast recipes:
Protein bars make an excellent breakfast-on-the-go option. If you don’t have time to cook anything or even sit for a few minutes for breakfast, just grab a piece of this energy bar and it will keep you full and satiated for hours. You can even eat it before or after a workout. Just see how much you want to eat. Sometimes, just half a piece is enough to keep you going. These protein bars also make a quick and easy snack option. Instead of grabbing a pack of chips, just grab a piece of energy bar. Also, make sure to eat it in moderation.