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Chili Mango Snack Bars

These chili mango snack bars take less than 10 ingredients to make! They’re healthy and very filling. Great as breakfast on-the-go or a pre-workout snack! This is an updated version of the chili mango snack bars recipe first posted in August...
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These chili mango snack bars take less than 10 ingredients to make! They’re healthy and very filling. Great as breakfast on-the-go or a pre-workout snack!

Chili Mango Snack Bars - making granola bars at home is much easier than you think! These healthy snack bars are gluten free!

This is an updated version of the chili mango snack bars recipe first posted in August 2014. The recipe is now gluten free.

When I was young, I loved eating those chili mango lollipops that you would find in Mexican grocery stores. The candy is shaped like a mango, and it is covered in a layer of chili powder. Clearly, my attraction to spice developed at a young age. Having long outgrown the desire to eat lollipops, I decided to make a healthier version of a favorite junk food from my childhood. By chopping up bits of dried mango and adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, these granola bars are a grown-up version of the chili mango lollipops I loved.

Chili Mango Snack Bars - making granola bars at home is much easier than you think! These healthy snack bars are gluten free!

MASTERING MY MISTAKES / COOKING NOTES

  • Peanut butter vs. Almond butter: I tried this recipe with peanut butter and almond butter, and I preferred the batch made with the latter. I found the peanut butter overpowered the flavors of the mango.
  • Red pepper flakes: I decided to use red pepper flakes instead of chili powder for the recipe because I liked the heat coming from the flakes. If you want to try the recipe with chili powder, I would substitute 1/4 teaspoon of it for the red pepper flakes. You may need to add a tiny bit more brown rice syrup to balance out the sweet and savory flavors.
  • SUBSTITUTIONS: I usually find brown rice syrup in the baking aisle at my local grocery stores. If it is difficult for you to find, use honey instead. Do note that honey is slightly sweeter and stickier than brown rice syrup. The bars will still taste great!

Chili Mango Snack Bars - making granola bars at home is much easier than you think! These healthy snack bars are gluten free!

If you make this recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments! I’d love to see your creations on Instagram or Twitter – be sure to tag me!

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Chili Mango Snack Bars

  • Author: Lisa Lin
  • Prep Time: 35 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 10 Bars 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (80g) rolled oats
  • 1 cup (35g) crispy rice cereal
  • 1/2 cup (80g) raw almonds
  • 2/3 cup (85g) chopped dried mango
  • 1/3 cup (60g) pumpkin seeds
  • 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) brown rice syrup*
  • 1/4 cup (65g) almond butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325ºF (160ºC). Arrange the oven racks to the upper third and lower third position. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread the oats on top. Pour the almonds onto a pie dish. Place the pie dish in the upper third rack and the oats in the lower third rack. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the almonds and oats from the oven.
  2. Line a 8×8 square pan with parchment paper. The bars will come out of the pan much easier when you line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix the oats, cereal, almonds, mango, pumpkin seeds and red pepper flakes together.
  4. In a small saucepan, heat the brown rice syrup and almond butter over medium heat. Once the brown rice syrup bubbles, about a minute or two, start stirring the almond butter and brown rice syrup together. Reduce the heat to low and stir until you get a smooth sauce. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla.
  5. Pour the syrup mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything until well incorporated.
  6. Empty everything into the prepared baking pan. Using a sheet of parchment or wax paper, press and spread the oat mixture evenly throughout the pan.  The parchment paper keeps the oats and nuts from sticking to your hand. Press down on the oat mixture so that it is pretty tightly packed.
  7. Let everything cool for 30 minutes before slicing into 10 bars. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Yields 10 bars. Amount per bar: Calories: 219, Total Fat 8.5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 4.6mg, Cholesterol: 0mg, Total Carbohydrate: 33.5g, Dietary Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 17.6g, Protein 5g

  1. *If brown rice syrup is difficult to find, use honey instead. Maple syrup doesn’t work as well because it’s not sticky enough to hold the ingredients together.
  2. Use 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you want less heat.
  3. If you want these bars to be more substantial, use 1 1/4 cups of rolled oats.

Lisa Lin Head Shot

Hey, there! I’m Lisa Lin

Here, you’ll find well-tested Asian recipes, pantry guides, and recipes from my sassy mother, Mama Lin. Through my recipes and cooking videos, I hope to honor the food and traditions that surrounded my Chinese American upbringing.

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    • Lisa says

      Thanks, Lindsay! I just added 1/2 tsp of cayenne for a hint of spice, but feel free to add more if you’re feeling adventurous!

      Reply

  5. Farrah says

    I’ve unfortunately never had the chance to try those chili mango lollipops, although I’ve definitely heard of them! Making + trying out the healthier version sounds like a better idea though, so I’m pinning this for later! :D!

    Reply

  7. Min says

    I absolutely LOVE the chili + mango combo! However, I’ve never thought to incorporate it into granola bars! Ingenious! Can’t wait to try this recipe, Lisa 😉

    Reply

  10. Terra says

    When I lived in Arizona, I tried the chili mango candy. What a delicious combo! Love your bar recipe, and all the flavors combined. Take care, Terra

    Reply

  12. Sarah Grace says

    Mmm this flavor combination sounds delicious!! And I love kashi cereal too, I eat so much of it! I’m part of the “21st posting group” for RR and I never usually see the other group’s link-up, so I’m glad I did this month!
    xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.

    Reply

  16. Carole from Carole's Chatter says

    Hi Lisa, this would be a great addition to the stone fruit theme over at Food on Friday (which is on right now). Each month there are 3 different themes plus a Potluck – so you should always be able to share something. If you would like to join in the fun on a regular basis please schedule a reminder for the second Friday of each month (NZ time). Cheers from Carole’s Chatter

    Reply

  17. Vineet says

    Hey Lisa! The recipe seems wonderful ,can you suggest the variety of dried mango to be used for this chilly mango snacks bar, as it is one of a crucial element.

    Thanks!!

    Reply
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