Craving a healthy and delicious snack that satisfies your sweet tooth without the guilt? Look no further than these No-Bake NutriOat Date Bars! Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, dates, and nuts, these energy bites are the perfect fuel for busy days. They're naturally sweet, chewy, and incredibly easy to make, requiring no oven time and minimal effort. Forget those store-bought bars loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients; these homemade treats offer a superior taste and nutritional profile.
These NutriOat Date Bars are customizable to your liking; feel free to experiment with different nuts, seeds, or spices to create your own unique flavor combinations. Ready to dive into creating your own batch of these irresistible energy bites? Let's get started with the simple, step-by-step instructions below!
Tools Needed
- Pan
- Bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
- Oats: 1 cup
- Walnuts: 1/3 cup
- Flax seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Medjool dates: 18-20
- Dried cranberries
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients
- Toast oats and walnuts in a pan over medium heat until fragrant and golden brown, stirring continuously. (Skip toasting if using roasted walnuts)
- Add flax seeds, pumpkin seeds (and optional black sesame seeds or other seeds) to the warm oats and walnuts.
Step 2. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
- Pit dates (if necessary) and chop them finely by hand.
- Add half of the chopped dates to the oat mixture and mix by hand, pressing the oats into the date paste.
- Add more dates as needed until the mixture is sticky and holds together well. Add dried cranberries.
Step 3. Shape and Set the Bars
- If desired, shape the mixture into bars by pressing it firmly into a lined rectangular container. Alternatively, you can keep it as a crumbly mixture to scoop out portions.
Step 4. Chill and Serve
- If making bars, let them cool and solidify before cutting into pieces and packaging.
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Tips
- Make sure the heat isn't too high when toasting the oats and walnuts to prevent burning.
- The number of dates needed depends on their texture and stickiness; add them gradually until the mixture is cohesive.
- For a less sweet and lower-calorie option, use fewer dates and skip the shaping into bars.
Nutrition
- N/A
FAQs
1. Can I store these date bars for a long time?
Yes! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
2. What can I substitute for the oats?
You can try using other grains like quinoa flakes or even crushed nuts for a different texture and flavor.
3. Are these date bars suitable for vegans?
Absolutely! This recipe is naturally vegan-friendly, containing no animal products.
These No-Bake NutriOat Date Bars are a simple yet satisfying snack, perfect for fueling your body with wholesome goodness. Enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of these homemade energy bites, knowing you're making a healthy choice. So go ahead, treat yourself – and your taste buds – to a batch today!