A Sweet & Easy Indian Treat:-Healthy Peanut Jaggery Bars

Peanut jaggery bars, also called peanut chikki, are a tasty and healthy treat loved in India, especially during festivals. These bars are made with peanuts and jaggery, a natural sugar made from sugarcane or palm sap.

Jaggery is healthier than regular sugar because it contains iron, magnesium, and potassium, which provide extra nutrition. It has a rich, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with the salty crunch of peanuts.

Peanuts are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making this treat good for energy, heart health, and digestion. The combination of peanuts and jaggery creates a delicious, nutritious snack.

Making peanut jaggery bars is simple. Jaggery is melted and mixed with roasted peanuts, then spread out to cool and cut into bars. These bars are not only tasty but also a traditional snack enjoyed during festivals like Diwali and Makar Sankranti.

Peanut jaggery bars are a perfect balance of sweetness, crunch, and nutrition, making them a great snack for any time of the day!

This contains a punch of nutritious & health benefits, have a look of some of the key benefits below:-

Energy Booster: Peanuts are having high amount of protein and healthy fats, which provides sustainable energy throughout the day.

Natural Sweetness: It is made up of a natural sweetener jaggery which is a rich source of iron.

Heart Benefits: Peanuts contain unsaturated fatty acids which may help lower bad cholesterol and help in heart health.

Digestive Aid: Jaggery is known for its digestive properties.

Manage Weight: Protein in peanuts keeps you feeling full for longer.

Peanut jaggery bars are easy to make at home. Made with just two main ingredients, peanuts and jaggery.

Ingredients:-

• 1 cup raw peanuts (roasted )
• 1 cup jaggery (grated)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon ghee or any refined oil.
• A pinch of ground cardamom (optional)

Method:-

1. In a heavy bottom pan roast the peanut on low flame if you are using raw peanuts. Once the peanuts turn golden brown turn off the gas flame & let them cool completely.
2. Once the peanuts cool down peel of there skin by rubbing in the hand.Now roasted peanuts are ready to use.
3. Take the jaggery & water in a heavy bottom pan, stir it on low flame till the jaggery melts completely & turn into smooth syrup.
4. Turn up the heat a little and keep cooking the syrup for 5-7 minutes. Here’s a trick to check if it’s done: take a tiny bit of syrup and drop it in a bowl of cold water. If it forms a hard ball that crumbles easily when you press it, the syrup is ready.
5. Take the pan off the heat once the syrup is good. Add the peanuts (roasted) and mix well to coat them all in the syrup.
6. Quickly pour the mixture into a plate or tray. Use a wet spoon or something flat to press the mixture evenly. You can use a rolling pin (wet or greased) to make it flat if you want.
7. Let the bar cool completely at room temperature. Once it’s hard, cut it into squares or pieces you like.

Nutrition Fact (Based on Approx.):-

Calories: 1475

Protein: 37 g

Carbohydrates: 180 g

Fat: 77 g

Fiber: 14 g

Calcium: 150 mg

Iron: 4.6 mg

Magnesium: 205 mg

Cholesterol: 15 mg

Tips to follow during the process:-

• Cook the jaggery syrup on low flame, watch it closely to avoid from burning.
• If the mixture gets hard to handle while pressing, heat it up for a few seconds to soften it a bit.
• You can store these bars in a container with a tight lid at room temperature for up to a week.

Enjoy these delicious peanut jaggery bars as a wholesome snack alternative. Let me know in the comments below what you think of the recipe.