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!
