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Ingredients
Scale
- 5 pitted medjool dates (about 100-120g), soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
- 1/2 cup (125g) almond butter
- 1/3 cup (113g) honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (85g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (85g) uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup (70g) coarsely chopped almonds
- 1/2 cup (70g) pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup (70g) sweetened dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (feel free to skip)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces (57g) semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- flaky sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (149°C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring enough overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- Drain the soaked dates, pulse them in a food processor until they form a chunky paste, and transfer to a large bowl. Add almond butter, honey, and vanilla. Stir until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix oats, quinoa, almonds, pepitas, cranberries, chia seeds, and salt. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture and stir well.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and firmly press it into an even layer.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the center is set. Let it cool completely in the pan for 1 hour before refrigerating for another hour.
- Melt the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring in between until smooth.
- Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang, transfer to a cutting board, and cut them into bars. Optionally drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Store the bars at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Individually wrap each bar in plastic or parchment if desired.
Notes
To enhance flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
To make the bars vegan, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
Feel free to substitute dried cranberries with any dried fruit of your choice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 160 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg