Snack bars are the ultimate on-the-go meal. I have been eating them for years, completely unaware of what I was putting in my body. If you look at the ingredients of most snack bars on the market, you’ll see that they are over-processed and contain ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and preservatives. And many of these companies advertise their products as healthy snacks! So I started making my own. Homemade snack bars are cheaper, healthier, and completely customizable! This ensures that you know exactly what you’re eating and can enjoy a worry-free snack.
Our mission at The Chopping Block is to get people to cook. From vegan recipes to gluten-free cooking classes to our clean eating classes offered by Wellness Chef Alia Dalal, we provide a wide variety of food and cooking techniques for every type of lifestyle. And if you’re like me, you’ll want a snack bar designed to fit your active lifestyle. And who knows you better than yourself? So here's my easy recipe for a simple date bar. From this recipe, you can add and subtract whatever you want to make the bar your own.
Date Bars
12 pitted dates
1/4 cup almonds
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
1 Tablespoon honey
A pinch of sea salt
1. Get a food processor.
If you already have a food processor, that’s great. If you’re like me, you’ll have to use your mom’s 30-year-old food processor that she received as a wedding gift. It still works like a charm.
2. Add your ingredients
I recommend putting in the almonds first and on their own so that they are properly chopped. Then add the rest and turn it on! Once everything is fully processed, it should have a soft and spongy consistency. Don’t forget to taste your mix at this step! Double check that the flavors are balanced and it doesn’t need anything extra.
3. Shape your date bar mix.
A Tupperware does a great job of giving your bars shape. I layer mine with plastic wrap and a dash of olive oil on top so that it doesn’t stick. Use a spatula to scoop your mix into the tupperware, press it down so that it keeps it’s shape, and place it in a cool, dry place.
4. Cut and package your bars.
Your bars will keep their shape best once they are cold and have sat for a bit. Then you can cut them and package them however you see fit. Some additional ingredients I recommend to add some flavor are hemp hearts, chia seeds, and toasted oats.
Customize as you please!
One of my favorites is her Cookie Dough Energy Bites. Learn how to make them in this video: