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.
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!
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!
Servings: 10 Bars
Chili Mango Snack Bars
Ingredients
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- In a large bowl, mix the oats, cereal, almonds, mango, pumpkin seeds and red pepper flakes together.
- 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.
- Pour the syrup mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to mix everything until well incorporated.
- 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.
- 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
- *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.
- Use 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you want less heat.
- If you want these bars to be more substantial, use 1 1/4 cups of rolled oats.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @hellolisalin or leave a star rating and comment on the blog!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
so intrigued by this flavor combo! i feel like i would love it. must try!
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!
Nicole says
Yummy! I grew up on chile mango pops as well. Love your theme 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Nicole!
Alex @ DelishKnowledge says
I love the Oh She Glows Cookbook! I make the Glo Bars all the time! Love this variation 🙂
Lisa says
Thanks, Alex! Isn’t that cookbook awesome?? I just love learning more about vegan cooking from that book.
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
These really remind me of these chili mangoes my Mexican roommate would bring back for me! I love the spicy and sweet combo.
Lisa says
Thanks, Genevieve!
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!
Lisa says
Yay, let me know what you think!
Selena @ The Nutritious Kitchen says
LOVE mango and I used to be obsessed with kashi cereal! Sounds like a great combo and the perfect little bar snack!
Lisa says
Thanks, Selena! They’re all gone now! So yummy.
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 😉
Lisa says
Thanks, Min!! Let me know how it turns out for you!
Dana says
Dried chili mangoes are one of my favorite snacks — love how you incorporated them into these bars!
Lisa says
Thanks, Dana!
Rachael@AnAvocadoADay says
What a fantastic idea! Great to see something that’s not chocolate on this Recipe Redux. Chili mango is such an amazing flavor combination.
Lisa says
Thanks, Rachel! I just had a craving for dried mango lately!
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
Lisa says
Thanks, Terra!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
We love dried mango so I know we’d enjoy these snack bars!
Lisa says
Thanks, Jeanette! Let me know how they turn out!
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.
Lisa says
I can’t resist grabbing a handful of Kashi to snack on sometimes!
Elizabetheats says
LOVE This idea! the chili mango at Trader Joe’s is one of my favorite. What a great way to incorporate this flavor pairing into a healthy snack
Lisa says
Yes! I totally forgot that Trader Joe’s sells dried chili mango! I need to get it some time!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
A little spice is nice, Lisa!
Lisa says
Thanks, Cindy!
Brittany says
I love dried mango and these granola bars look so good! Can’t wait to try them, Lisa!
Lisa Lin says
Thank you, Brittany!!
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
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!!
Lisa Lin says
Hi Vineet, I usually pick the unsweetened slices of mango from health food stores, and I believe they are from ataulfo mangos.