Homemade – Healthier Snack Bars

Hi, Friends.

I get it, grab-and-go options are a huge timesaver, but oftentimes store-bought bars aren’t the best option for you or your family. You can’t control what ingredients are used and they often come in all sorts of wasteful packaging products that add up in our landfills - and you are paying extra for those wasteful components.

Here is a great option that you can make at home and easily store and share with your family. You are in charge of what products you purchase for your ingredient list, and can adjust the recipe to suit your family's needs.

Below is a basic recipe to follow and adjust how you see fit. These are easy to make and delicious. It’s a tasty sweet and chewy snack with less sugar and sodium than most store-bought alternatives. Bonus: you can sneak in nutritious components like hemp hearts and flaxseed. I often make them on a Sunday to enjoy during the week.

Much love, Denise

Homemade & Healthier Snack Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates, pitted

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 2 tablespoon hemp hearts

• 1 tablespoon flaxseed

• 1/4 cup peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup raw, shelled, peanuts or roasted, salted

• 1/4 cup raisins

Instructions

Date Paste

• Bring 3/4 cup to a boil in a medium saucepan.

• Add dates and remove from heat. Allow dates to soak until plump and soft, about 20 minutes.

• Cool then transfer to blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Set aside.

Bar

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper.

• In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients.

• Press firmly onto bottom of baking dish.

• Bake for 15 minutes.

• Cool and cut into squares

• Enjoy!