Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to create these delightful sugar-free sesame brittle bars:
- Sesame Seeds (2 cups): The star of the show, providing a nutty flavor, satisfying crunch, and a good source of healthy fats and fiber. Opt for hulled or unhulled, depending on your preference and availability.
- Sugar-Free Sweetener (1 cup Erythritol Blend): This replaces traditional sugar, offering sweetness without the blood sugar spike. Erythritol blends, often combined with stevia or monk fruit, work exceptionally well for brittle, providing a clean taste and good crystallization.
- Coconut Oil (2 tablespoons): Helps to bind the ingredients together and adds a subtle richness and healthy fats. You can also use other neutral oils like avocado oil or melted butter if preferred.
- Almond Flour (1/4 cup): Optional, but it adds a bit of structure and a slightly nutty flavor, enhancing the overall texture of the brittle. It also helps absorb any excess moisture.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor profile, adding a warm and comforting note to the brittle. Pure vanilla extract is recommended for the best taste.
- Pinch of Salt: A small amount of salt is crucial to balance the sweetness and enhance the other flavors in the brittle, preventing it from tasting bland.
Instructions
Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own batch of delicious Sugar-Free Sesame Brittle Bars:
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet (approximately 9×13 inches) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the brittle from sticking and make removal easy. Lightly grease the parchment paper or silicone mat with coconut oil or cooking spray for extra insurance. Set aside.
- Toast the Sesame Seeds (Optional but Recommended): For a deeper, more intense sesame flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds. Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes, or until they become fragrant and lightly golden brown. Be careful not to burn them. Remove from heat and set aside. Toasted sesame seeds add a wonderful depth of flavor but this step can be skipped if you are short on time or prefer a milder sesame taste.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the toasted sesame seeds (or untoasted if skipping step 2), sugar-free sweetener (erythritol blend), almond flour (if using), and a pinch of salt. Whisk together to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. This step ensures that the sweetener and almond flour are well incorporated with the sesame seeds before adding the wet ingredients.
- Melt the Coconut Oil: In a small, microwave-safe bowl or saucepan, melt the coconut oil. If using the microwave, heat in 15-second intervals until just melted. If using a saucepan, melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Be careful not to overheat the oil.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir quickly and thoroughly with a spatula or wooden spoon until all ingredients are well combined and evenly coated with the melted coconut oil. The mixture should be slightly moist and clumpy.
- Spread the Mixture onto Baking Sheet: Pour the sesame seed mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula or your hands (lightly dampened to prevent sticking), spread the mixture evenly in a thin layer across the baking sheet. Aim for a thickness of about ¼ to ½ inch for optimal brittleness. The thinner you spread it, the crispier the brittle will be.
- Bake the Brittle: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the brittle is lightly golden brown and bubbly around the edges. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning, as ovens can vary. The brittle may not look completely set when you take it out, but it will continue to harden as it cools.
- Cool and Harden: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the brittle cool completely on the baking sheet. Do not attempt to break it apart while it is still warm, as it will be soft and may crumble. Allow it to cool at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to an hour, or until it is completely hardened and brittle. The cooling process is crucial for achieving the desired crunchy texture.
- Break into Pieces: Once the brittle is completely cool and hardened, gently break it into irregular pieces with your hands or carefully use a knife to score it and then break along the score lines. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Sugar-Free Sesame Brittle Bars!
- Storage: Store the Sugar-Free Sesame Brittle Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week. For longer storage, you can store them in the refrigerator, but they may become slightly harder.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 12g