At Crumbs we have Sticky Toffee Cake Bites that are so delicious and perfect with a cup of Arabic coffee. They have a caramelized walnut coating, and whenever the bakers make a batch I grab some with the excuse that I’m “testing it”.

This recipe is just as delicious and addictive…but with the added benefit of hemp and sunflowers seeds…making this treat a guilt-less pleasure!

Using rice malt syrup (also known as brown rice syrup) helps the ingredients stick together without too much sweetness. You can also replace it with honey or maple syrup if you prefer, just bearing in mind it will be sweeter and more of dessert than a snack.

I’ve adapted this recipe from the book Superfood Snacks by Julie Morris. Hemp seeds are the superfood in this recipe, and as explained in Morris’s book, provide all of the essential amino acids, making it a wonderful way to add plant-based protein to your diet. There are 5 grams of protein in just 1 1/2 tablespoons of hemp seeds. Hemp also provides dietary fiber, vitamin E, and minerals such as magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium.

I love how hemp seeds have almost no flavor – you can easily sneak it into your kids food. I sprinkle it onto Lulu’s salads, or mix it into Noura’s quinoa. Unfortunately it’s not readily available in Kuwait. I usually buy a big bag whenever I travel, and it tends to last until my next trip. If you know a place that sells Hemp seeds in Kuwait please let me know in the comments below.

If you can’t get hold of hemp seeds, just increase the sunflower seeds to 1/2 a cup.