Gut-Friendly “Copycat” Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars

The Perfect Healthy Running Snack, Healthy Snack, and Gut-Healthy Snack

If you’re searching for a healthy running snack, I’ve got you covered. These gut-friendly “copycat” crunchy peanut butter bars are the perfect pick-me-up after a long run—or really anytime you need a healthy snack that won’t wreck your digestion. They’re inspired by a childhood favorite (you know, the super-crunchy bars loaded with preservatives), but reinvented using only nutrient-dense ingredients.

Truth is, I was that kid who finished cross-country meets, devoured one of those bars, then wondered why I was still starving. Now that I understand gut health a bit better, I’ve swapped out the gut-wrecking peanut butter for almond butter, said goodbye to refined sugar, and added a powerhouse ingredient—Eat Purposefully Original Cinnamon Cashew Granola—for an extra boost of flavor and fiber.

Why These Bars Are the Perfect Healthy Running Snack

As a lifelong runner, I’m always on the hunt for gut-healthy snacks that fuel my body without the bloating or sugar crashes. Here’s why you’ll want these bars in your post-run rotation:

• Less Sugar, More Nutrition: Coconut sugar replaces refined sugar, helping stabilize energy levels.
• Better-For-You Fats: A hint of coconut oil instead of inflammatory seed oils.
• Gut-Loving Ingredients: Eat Purposefully Granola which is easy to digest, has multiple sources of prebiotic fibers plus gluten-free oats (certified glyphosate-free) are loaded with prebiotic fiber to support a healthy digestive system.

Why I Love These Gut-Friendly Bars

Picture this: sweaty from a race, rummaging through my bag to find a quick snack, only to realize I’d devour 2 or 3 bars just to feel “kind of” satisfied. Back then, I didn’t realize many snacks were basically sugar bombs with minimal nutrients. Fast forward to now, and everything’s changed. By using healthy and gut-friendly swaps, I can savor a bar or two, actually feel full, and know I’m giving my body the nourishment it needs.

Recipe: Crunchy Almond “Peanut Butter” Bars

(A Gut-Healthy Snack that Doubles as a Healthy Running Snack)

Servings: 8–10 bars
Total Time: 35 minutes (plus cooling)

Ingredients

• 1 cup Eat Purposefully Original Cinnamon Cashew Granola
• 1 cup gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
  • Make sure they’re certified gluten-free and glyphosate-free to keep these bars truly gut-friendly.
• ¼ cup coconut sugar
• 3 tablespoons almond butter
  • (Cashew or sunflower seed butter also works if peanut butter isn’t your friend.)
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil (plus extra for greasing)
• 1 tablespoon chia seed egg
  • Mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds + 2 tablespoons water, let it form a gel.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Coarse sea salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

   • Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
   • Lightly grease a square baking pan with melted coconut oil (this helps create a thicker, sturdier bar—ideal for slicing and grabbing on the go).

2. Combine Wet Ingredients

   • In a mixing bowl, stir together almond butter, melted coconut oil, chia seed egg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of coarse sea salt.
   • If your almond butter is too thick, warm it gently on the stovetop with the coconut oil to make mixing a breeze.

3. Mix in the Dry

   • Add the coconut sugar, Eat Purposefully Original Cinnamon Cashew Granola, and gluten-free oats to the wet mixture.
   • Stir until everything is evenly coated—you want every oat and granola cluster to get some love.

4. Bake

   • Press the mixture firmly into the greased pan.
   • Bake for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and your kitchen smells like a cinnamon dream.

5. Cool Completely

   • Patience is key here. Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes.
   • Rushing this step will give you crumble city, not that perfect crunchy bar.

6. Slice & Enjoy

   • Once cooled, slice into bars.
   • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long).

Tips & Tricks

1. Square Pan Wins

   • A square pan helps the bars hold their shape better, making them the ultimate healthy snack for your busy on-the-go lifestyle.

2. Room-Temperature Almond Butter

   • If you store your almond butter in the fridge, let it come to room temperature or lightly warm it before mixing. It’ll blend more easily with the coconut oil and chia seed egg.

3. Double the Recipe

   • If you’re training for a race (or just have a packed schedule), consider doubling the batch. Trust me, these vanish fast!

You Need To Try It... Trust Us

Whether you’re fueling up for a run, tackling a busy workday, or simply craving a gut-healthy snack that reminds you of those childhood “peanut butter crunch” bars, this recipe has your name on it. Each crunchy bite is loaded with prebiotic fibers, plant-based protein, and more stable energy—no sugar crashes in sight.

Give these bars a try, and let me know: do they transport you back to the good ol’ days, minus the guilt and gut woes? I hope you’ll love them just as much as I do! And remember, Eat Purposefully every day—your body (and taste buds) will thank you.