Description
These homemade protein bars combine nuts, oats, dried fruit, and natural sweeteners to create a nutritious, energy-packed snack. With a firm yet chewy texture and the wholesome flavors of cashews, almonds, and dates, these bars are perfect for on-the-go fuel or a healthy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews, raw and unsalted
- 1 cup almonds, raw and unsalted
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or chocolate chips
- 2 1/4 cups dates (about 20), pitted
Wet Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°F (or the lowest setting available) to prepare for baking the protein bars.
- Soak Nuts: Place the cashews and almonds in a bowl, cover with cool water, and soak for 1 hour to soften them for easier processing.
- Soak Dates: Cover the dates with hot water and soak for 30 minutes to soften. After soaking, drain and pit the dates.
- Prepare Oats: Using a food processor, grind the rolled oats into a fine powder and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Chop Nuts and Cranberries: Drain the soaked nuts, pat dry with a towel to remove excess water, then pulse them with dried cranberries or chocolate chips in the food processor until the nuts are broken down into small, uneven pieces.
- Combine Nuts and Oats: Add the chopped nuts and cranberries to the bowl with the ground oats.
- Make Date Puree: In the food processor, blend the pitted dates, vanilla extract, and honey or agave until smooth and sticky.
- Mix All Ingredients: Combine the date puree with the oat and nut mixture thoroughly until you get a thick, sticky dough.
- Shape the Bars: Spread the mixture onto a Silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet and press into a flat, even rectangle approximately 8 by 10 inches and 1/2 inch thick.
- Bake: Bake the formed rectangle for 4.5 to 5 hours at 170°F until it is firm but not hard to the touch. If using an oven with a lowest setting of 200°F, bake for around 4 hours.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the protein bar log to cool completely, then cut into 16 individual bars and wrap each one for storage.
Notes
- If using a dehydrator, set to 135°F and dehydrate the bars for 6-8 hours as an alternative to baking.
- Soaking nuts and dates helps soften them for better texture and easier blending.
- The bars can be stored at room temperature wrapped individually or refrigerated to extend shelf life.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
