Healthy Snack Bars
by Tcdevine in Cooking > Snacks & Appetizers
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Healthy Snack Bars
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Snacks are great but what are you really getting in the packaged granola bars. The one I just looked at has over 30 ingredients and some of the things are maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate, and mixed tocopherois. Is that really healthy? So here is a recipe for one that you can make easily and there are only 6 ingredients. This is a great snack to have because it is healthy and it makes a great breakfast bar too. You can customize it based on nuts and fruits that you like.
Ingredients
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Oatmeal and dates are the main ingredients. I will give you the recipe for the ones we like and show you where you can substitute items you may prefer.
1 1/2 cups regular oatmeal
1 cup of chopped dates
1 cup chopped almonds(can substitute other nuts)
1/2 cup raisins(can substitute other types of dried fruit)
1/3 cup peanut or almond butter (I use the powdered peanut butter mixed with water to make 1/3 cup)
1/4 cup honey (can substitute agave)
Cooking
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This doesn't really require a lot of cooking I like to toast the oatmeal and nuts, but it is not required. Roughly chop the almonds or whatever nuts you like. Put the oatmeal and nuts on a baking sheet and toast at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. This gives the bars a nice taste. While they are toasting mix the peanut butter and honey in a cup, if it is hard to mix you can heat in the microwave just enough to make a creamy mixture. It will make it easier to mix with the oatmeal and nuts.
Mix Together
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Chop the dates in a food processor until they are tiny pieces. Now mix all the ingredients. Make sure the peanut butter mixture is mixed well into the oatmeal. This is going to be what holds the bars together.
Finish
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Now put parchment paper or plastic wrap in an 8x8 casserole dish. Put the mixture in the dish and press down firmly. I folded the plastic wrap and mashed with a glass. Press over the entire mixture and pack the bars. Put in the fridge and leave until they are firm. If you can't wait you can eat but you may need a spoon. After they are firm you can pull the plastic out which makes it easy to cut the bars. I got 12 bars out of the batch. You can store in a container in the fridge or wrap individual for taking with you on the run. I hope you enjoy.