When I read Born to Run back in 2009 I wanted to pack up my stuff and move to the Mexican dessert to be just like the Tarahumara. I fell in love with the culture, food, running philosophy – all of it.
The book speculated that the Tarahumara are the best runners who ever lived and I believe it. The book was a huge reason for the barefoot running movement becoming mainstream.
It also talked about chia seeds since the Tarhuamara eat them in a special drink when they’re running super long distances.
It’s no coincidence that my first ultramarathon was the Born to Run 50k!
Well, I am no barefoot super runner – but I can throw back chia seeds with the best of them. And you can too – here is a super easy
Chia See Granola Bar Recipe
No Bake. Gluten Free. InsertDietTrend. Delicious.
Ingredients:
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1 cup oats
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1 cup rice cereal
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1/2 tsp salt
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2 Tb. chia seeds
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1/2 cup cranberries
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1/4 cup chocolate chips
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1/2 cup PB
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1/2 cup agave (or honey / maple syrup)
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1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions: Mix first 4 ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine PB, agave and vanilla. Heat PB mix in microwave for 30 seconds or until smooth easy to mix. 
Tip: spray measuring cup with non-stick before adding PB and it slips right out!
Combine wet & dry ingredients. Add cranberries and chocolate chips. Mix through.
Press into an 8×8 glass pan lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, but longer is better (TWSS).
Cut into bars. Eat. Then, you too can run for days at a time through the deserts of Mexico!**
**Statements not approved by the FDA.
Store bars in the refrigerator.
Question: Have you tried chia seeds?
The link to Born to Run is an affiliate link.
My boyfriend is training for his first 50K and asked me to make him some granola bars. I found this recipe and must say… we LOVE it!!!
I used chia seeds quite a bit (also after reading BTR). I plan to start using them again as I am also training for my first 50K.
I’m glad you liked them! That reminds me to make them again this week 🙂
I put Chia seeds in everything my daughter and I air pop popcorn spray a bit of sunflower or sesame seed oil on the popcorn and sprinkle with the chia seeds….Great snack….
Wow- I just had the hardest time finding this recipe! I remembered thinking they looked so good when you originally blogged them- today I decided to make them. I seriously googled all combinations of all the ingredients I could think of that are in the bars with your blog name and came up with nothing! Finally scrolled through your instagram because I remembered you posting them there and found the name of the bars…phew! They look delish and I can’t wait to try them.
I have never tried chia seeds, but have been hearing many good things about them. Those granola bars look yummy, may have to try them! 🙂
I put chia seeds in my water with some lemon and/or lime. They create a cool texture! Also in yogurt, smoothies, etc. I have yet to read Born to Run, but I’ve only heard awesome things about it! Soon! Way to go on your 50k!!
I saw (2 months ago?) a recent article, which was quite good in OUtside Magazine about what the fittest athletes eat.
It was so good, and actually nothing too crazy.
Yum…those look delish and easy. I’m totally not all about weird exotic ingredients! I have never tried chia seeds before; I really need to join the cool kids band wagon.
totally making those bars. though I may do so with some chocolate mixed in 🙂 i usually have chia in my smoothies, parfaits, mueseli and sprinkled randomly on things.
I loved the book Born To Run. I thought about the Tarahumara fueling with chia seeds when I threw back a Mama Chia pouch before my last half-marathon.
I haven’t tried chia seeds yet… I just feel like they would be a weird texture in some of the recipes I’ve seen. But since this is a bar, I think it would work out nicely!
Ooooh those look yummy yummy!
I just started using chia seeds.
So far I just put them in my water!
Excited to try something new like this with them!
Even with the chia seeds, these look like they’ll be a lot cheaper than anything store-bought. I like having orange juice with chia seeds after a run.
Mmm those look good! Yes’m just had some in my yogurt bowl. I’m feeling a run coming on, too. What a coincidence!
They’re expensive but I always keep a bag on hand for SIAB (KERF recipes). Can’t wait to try your bars. They sound super good.
Those granola bars look awesome! I put Chia seeds in my smoothies!
Those bars look pretty good. Off topic but I have a running question. I am coming back from an injury and I am hoping to start increasing my mileage again soon. Do you think its better to add in an extra day of running or just tack on a couple extra miles to one of my runs? Thanks for any feedback.
First make sure you are cleared to run again, you don’t want to take 10 steps backward and reinjure yourself. Then, adding mileage really depends on how much/often you are running now. I make sure to take 2 days of rest a week so I wouldn’t compromise that for added mileage. Good luck!
I used to add them to my oatmeal every morning. I haven’t had them in a while. If I can make them delicious, I’ll eat them. (These bars look delicious) Chia pudding I tried… not delicious.
I’ve made a new deal with myself that I don’t have to choke down something just because it’s healthy.
I am reading Born to Run right now and it has me wanting to run (barefoot) to the grocery store to pick up chia seeds. This recipe has made me realize I need to to that asap. Looks delish!
Great looking recipe, thank you! I intend to try it…I do like chia seeds. Lately I use them in my oatmeal and oatmeal pancakes.
I made oatmeal pancakes for the first time this morning, hmmmm next time I will try adding chia seeds to them!
yum! I freaking love chia seeds and while you won’t see me running barefoot through Mexico, you may see me running the streets of my neighborhood fueled on chia granola bars. I’d be okay with that. 😉
Monica you have to try Health Warrior Bars if you haven’t already. They are bars with chia seeds in them and are so good (I like acai berry flavor). Their company is BASED on the book
I have a bag of chia in my fridge right now, but haven’t used it that much. I’m definitely going to try these. I love that they’re cook-free 🙂
I use them in my smoothies, oatmeal, and sometime just put some in powerade.
I do like chia seeds. I enjoy their crunch and nutty taste. I could put them on a lot! I don’t use them too often – i think I just forget about them.
I think that’s my problem too. I forget about them being in the refrigerator lol
All the time! I sprinkle them on my toast (with PB of course ) and oatmeal.
Chia seeds aren’t such a thing here in the UK. I’d be interested, though…
I’m on a mission to start learning some healthier baking recipes, this one looks delicious!
You crack me up Monica! InsertDietTrend…I seriously LOL. Keep on doing what your doing! xo!
I’m in the middle of that book right now! I sprinkle chia seeds on everything- smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt, pb toast, cereal, dips!
Those look good! That spray trick works with honey too! I have chia seeds in my fridge but haven’t actually made anything with them.
Looks delicious!!! Definitely going on my to-try list for the week!
PS: Been dying to read that book. I should have by now, I know. LOL
I’ve always wanted to try chia seeds, but everywhere I see them they are so dang expensive.
I bought mine on nuts.com ($9.99/lb)
http://www.nuts.com/cookingbaking/chia-seeds/premium.html
I get mine at Costco. I believe they’re 2lbs for $10 there (or maybe $15?). I can’t remember exactly because last time I bought the Chia seeds and a 28oz bag of Hemp seeds for $25.
I find them at Trader Joes here in So Cal. Very reasonable.
I use to put them in a ton of stuff. Then forgot I had them. Then realized I didn’t turn into a super fitness model or anything and forgot about the chia seed. Maybe I should try again.
I put chia in my nut butters, oatmeal, turkey meatloaf & more!!! 🙂
Delish recipe!
Need to make these ASAP they look delicious! I’ve never had chia seeds!
I usually only use them in my Greek yogurt.
I have never tried them…..your “insert diet trend” made me spew my drink from LOLing….fyi!!
These granola bars look awesome! I love chia seeds, especially in yogurt.
These chia seed granola bars sound great! I love adding chia seeds to oatmeal, overnight oats, and topping smoothies and yogurt bowls.
I put chia seeds into my smoothies and my overnight oats 🙂