Peanut Butter Energy Bars

When I made these high-energy bars for a group of volunteers last night, never did I dream they would become a “favorite”!

Peanut Butter Energy Bars: A big hit!

Packed with nutrition, these bars refrigerate and freeze well. With the ingredients already in my kitchen cupboard, I didn’t consider this expensive to make. Logical? Maybe. With energy bars selling for as much as $3 apiece, these homemade bars are a bargain! To make a gourmet bar, substitute macadamia nuts and white chocolate in place of the almonds and semi-sweet chocolate I used. This excellent recipe requires a food processor. 

Peanut Butter Energy Bars:

2 c. (500 mL) packed dates, pitted (see Note)

1/2 c. (125 mL) natural whole almonds, skin on

3 c. (750 mL) large-flake uncooked rolled oats

1/2 c. (125 mL) liquid honey

1/2 c. (125 mL) creamy peanut butter

1/2 c. (125 mL) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 deg. F.  Line 10x15 in. (25x38 cm)jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Soften dates by pour boiling water over them for 10 min. Squeeze dry. Process dates on high speed until they form a ball and only small bits remain. Place in medium bowl. Do not wash food processor.

Spread almonds over cookie sheet, stirring once or twice as nuts toast 15-to-20 min. (see Additional Note). Add almonds to processor, chopping in bursts using pulse setting. Add to dates in bowl.

Spread oats over cookie sheet, stirring once or twice as oats toast 15-to-20 min. Add oats to dates and nuts in bowl. Combine thoroughly, using clean hands. Set aside. 

In microwave-safe container, stir together honey, peanut butter, and chocolate chips on medium-low heat, just until warm. Pour over date-nut-oatmeal mixture, combining well.

Press well-combined mixture into prepared pan, covering with cello wrap and rolling or pressing to even thickness. Cover with foil and chill 15-to-30 minutes before slicing into bars. These are high-calorie and sweet, so I cut these bars small. Yields 4-to-5 dozen 1 x 3 in. (2.54 x 8 cm) bars. 

Note: Substituting dried apricots for the dates in this recipe would also work well.

Additional Note: Lightly toasting the almonds and oats produces a far superior flavor than adding them to this recipe untoasted.

Note: To find more high-energy bars, check out One Click: Energy Bars and Power Bars.