Craving a decadent, fudgy treat that won’t derail your health goals? Look no further! These Instant Pot Chocolate Hazelnut Bars are your new go-to snack. They blend the rich, nutty flavors of almonds and hazelnuts with deep cocoa, all coming together in just 20 minutes thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. They’re packed with protein and healthy fats, making them the perfect guilt-free indulgence to power you through your day.
Ingredients
• 1 cup / 140g raw almonds, minced
• ¼ cup / 35g raw hazelnuts, minced
• ¼ cup / 25g unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup / 50g almond flour
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup / 250g almond butter
• 3 tbsp / 45g chia seeds
• 3 tbsp / 36g Swerve or preferred granular sweetener
• ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
1. Directions
2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the minced almonds, hazelnuts, cocoa powder, almond flour, salt, cinnamon, Swerve, and almond butter. Process on high until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
3. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl. Stir in the chia seeds until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
4. Line a small, oven-safe baking dish that fits inside your Instant Pot with parchment paper. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish.
5. Cover the dish loosely with a piece of aluminum foil to prevent condensation from dripping onto the bars.
6. Pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot and place the trivet inside. Carefully lower the baking dish onto the trivet.
7. Secure the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release handle to the ‘Sealing’ position.
8. Select the ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ setting and set the timer for 15 minutes at high pressure.
9. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes before performing a quick release for any remaining pressure.
10. Carefully open the lid and lift the baking dish out of the Instant Pot. Remove the foil and let the bars cool completely to room temperature.
11. Once cooled and firm, lift the bars out of the dish using the parchment paper and slice into 10 even bars. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 144
• Total Fat: 11.5g
• Net Carbs: 7.3g
• Fiber: 4.8g
• Protein: 5.2g
Pro Tips
• For a deeper, nuttier flavor, toast the almonds and hazelnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before mincing.
• No almond butter? Creamy cashew butter or sunflower seed butter work as excellent substitutes.
• For an even fudgier texture, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least an hour after cooling before slicing.
• Feel free to mix in a tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate chips or a ¼ teaspoon of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
FAQ
Q: Are these chocolate hazelnut bars keto-friendly
A: Yes, these bars are designed to be keto-friendly. With only 7.3g of net carbs per serving and the use of Swerve, a granular sweetener, they are a great fit for a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle.
Q: What can I use instead of almond butter
A: If you don’t have almond butter, the recipe suggests that creamy cashew butter or sunflower seed butter work as excellent substitutes.
Q: How do I make the bars extra fudgy
A: For an even fudgier texture, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least one hour after they have cooled to room temperature. This helps them firm up for a dense, decadent bite before slicing.
Q: Can I enhance the chocolate flavor
A: Absolutely. To boost the chocolatey taste, you can mix in a tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate chips or a quarter teaspoon of espresso powder with the other ingredients.
