Crunch Bars

Name: Crunch Bars
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 9
Ingredients: 5 Medjool dates, pitted; 1 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats; 3/4 cup quinoa, uncooked; 1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped; 1/2 cup pepitas; 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 1/2 cup almond butter; 1/3 cup honey; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted

Vegetarian Apps & Snacks Oven

Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Yield: 9 servings

About

Do you hear that? That epic sound of satisfaction, joy, and taste echoing throughout the kitchen? That's the sound of biting into some homemade Crunch Bars, the scientific proof that healthiness and deliciousness can in fact go hand-in-hand! Each crunch bar has sweet, syrupy Medjool dates baked right into its hearty, nutty, and truly crunchy heart. It's both packed with protein and drizzled with chocolate, which livens up your tastebuds and energizes your body! Crunch Bars get you ready for adventures as incredible as every bite is loud!

Ingredients

5 Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup old-fashioned whole rolled oats
3/4 cup quinoa, uncooked
1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup pepitas
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 cup almond butter
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Step 2 -Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars from the pan.

Step 3 -Pulse the dates in a food processor until they form a chunky paste.

Step 4 -Transfer the date paste to a medium bowl.

Step 5 -Add the oats, the quinoa, the almonds, the pepitas, the chia seeds, the almond butter, the honey, the vanilla extract, and salt to the bowl, stirring everything together until evenly combined.

Step 6 -Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and press it very firmly into an even layer, aiming to make it as tight as possible.

Step 7 -Bake until lightly browned on the edges, about 20-22 minutes.

Step 8 -Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 1 hour.

Step 9 -Transfer the pan to the refrigerator to chill, at least 1 hour.

Step 10 -Remove the bars from the pan using the overhanging parchment paper.

Step 11 -Cut the bars into squares.

Step 12 -Drizzle the squares with the melted chocolate.

Step 13 -Serve. The bars are good at room temperature for 1 week or refrigerated for 2 weeks.

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