I was recently sent some Frank* Snack Bars to sample. These snack bars are gluten, nut and dairy free, though coeliacs who cannot tolerate them should note that the products do contain (gluten free) oats. The products are also vegan. According to their website the bars are “made with 100% natural ingredients such as wholegrain oats, dates & dried plums and topped with a delicious dairy free Coconut Cream chocolate”.
The bars come in five flavours: Chocolate & Orange, Oat & Chocolate, Strawberry & Chocolate, Blueberry & Chocolate and Double Chocolate. The packaging also boasts that the bars are a good source of protein, and also contain “EnergySmart”. Intrigued as to what EnergySmart was I had a look on their website and the description is “a patented, all-natural combination of carbohydrates from select fruits (apple, grape & pear) plus specially developed natural dextrins from grain which together provide longer-lasting energy”.
Looking at the ingredients list the bars are nearly 50% fruit and contain some other interesting ingredients such as raw probiotic chocolate, pea fibre and pea protein. So you get the idea, this is a healthier snack rather than a naughty treat. So how do they taste? Well, actually really good. In common with other fruit bars they have that chewy texture that you’d expect, and the ingredients have been blended to give an almost brownie like make up rather than the chunkier nature of some other fruit bars. The chocolate on top finishes it off nicely and the flavours come through really well. I’ve tried all but the orange & chocolate and all have a similar consistency.
The thing I really like about these bars is that they are small but filling for their size. I think they are great as that coeliac emergency snack that we always need to take with us. You can pop these in your handbag and take them with you no trouble, and us boys can pop them in the wife’s handbag without getting that stare of death. The bars are available to buy via their online shop, and you can get 20 bars for £17.
However, Gluten Free by the Sea readers have the chance to win some! I have five bars to give away, one of each flavour, to one lucky winner. So I think these bars are a great emergency snack, what I want to know is what is your favourite gluten free emergency snack? To enter simply comment below this post in the “Leave a reply” section, and tell me what you favourite GF emergency snack is.
Entries are only open to UK residents for postal reasons, and the competition closes at 8pm on Monday 15th July. The winner will be picked from a hat by my glamorous assistant Abby.
UPDATE 15/07/13: The competition is now closed, congratulations to the winner who is Liz!
Kevin, Gluten Free by the Sea
Gluten Free By The Sea 
Sweet breakfast rolls with nutella spread through the middle.
Kallo dark chocolate rice cake thins.
Trufee custard creams yummy
Homemade gf nut bars, but now I’ve heard about these I can become lazy again they sound scrummy
At the moment Eat Natural bars (took 2 boxes in my suitcase on holiday!) but I’m open to trying these!!
The good, old fashioned banana! Or this year’s discovery: Nakd bars. But these FRANK bars sound like they taste more indulgent. Need to try them! 🙂
Mrs Crimble Giant Chocolate Macaroons….yum!
Tilda rice sachets! Just need a microwave and a fork
I am addicted to the Nak’d chocolate orange bars!
It’s got to be fruit for me,
It has to be a small handful of mixed nuts which you can keep handy in a little bag in your pocket or failing that a Banana does wonders
Sesame seed snaps
For me it’s Nak’d Banana Crunch bars. They taste good even when warm and squashed!
Homemade lemon drizzle cake
Healthy = (currently, Nak’d cashew or ginger, Naughty = Mrs Crimbles Brownies (when I can get them)
My coeliac daughters snack of choice would be a slice of home made gluten and dairy free cake!!
Nakd bars, especially if on offer. Jason Vale’s juice bars if I’m ordering other stuff and they are on offer. Homemade fruit flapjack if my gluten tolerant Hubby let’s me at ’em!
Mummy’s gluten-free cupcakes with icing on top, decorated by me. (Ripley, age 3 3/4)
Husband Bob’s is Primula cheese and chive spread on Glutafin high fibre crackers
My wife Jo loves to have Genius with cheese and marmite and a pack of Seabrooks crisps as an emergency coeliac/diabetic snack..
Nak’d Coco Loco bars – I always stuff a couple into my cycling jersey pockets for an energy boost
I love Pom bear crisps! But lately have been buying Nakd bars too, delish!
I couldn’t live without Nakd bars. The apple pie flavour is to die for!!
Pink panther gf wafer biscuits!
Nairns gluten free oat syrup breakfast bars! Yummy 🙂