You could say that I inhale protein bars on the regular.
As in daily.
Sometimes multiple times a day.
It’s a problem, I know.
Well not really a real problem, but you get the gist!
Anywho, I decided to whip up my own batch of bars because I had beaucoup de oats on hand as well as some jooozy dried apricots!
Honestly all of these ingredients were already hangin at home, which is always a huge win in my book.
All you have to do is whiz up your soft, plump dates + apricots, then mix those naturally sweet treats with old fashioned rolled oats, roughly chopped toasted almonds, hemp hearts for health, toasted coconut flakes, fragrant ground cinnamon, pink sea salt, creamy almond butter, and pure vanilla extract!
Press into a parchment lined pan, then chill and slice!
Sounds heavenly, right?
But ohh buddy, we’re not done yet!
Drizzle each bar with luscious melted dark chocolate then finish with some more salt, bae style.
Snacks need snack time too he he.
P.S. I only had 1/4 cup of chopped almonds on hand but you could certainly up your almonds to 1/2 cup, and sprinkle some more on top of the melted chocolate if you really want! Gainz.
P.P.S. Make sure your dates and apricots are very juicy and soft. If they’re not super squishy, soak them in hot water until nice and plump. The bars may not hold together if your fruit is sad and dry. Oh and purchase the dark apricots with 0 preservatives… the light/bright orange varieties are not it my friends. Also, you may be like WTF is a noor deglet? It’s a date! A delectable fruit. Just trust me. And yes, medjools are extra wonderful if you can get your hands on those!
P.P.P.S. It is very important to use salt! Salt heightens all of the flavors and helps balance the sweetness. Don’t be afraid of a well-balanced sodium situation.
P.P.P.P.S. Is it a granola bar? There isn’t any granola involved but there are oats. Or is it a fruit & nut bar? But what about the oats?? Sigh. It’s tasty, what ever you call it.
Chewy Apricot Almond Granola Bars with Dark Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped toasted almonds
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 1/4 cup toasted unsweetened medium-small coconut flakes (I use Bob's Red Mill)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon pink sea salt, or to taste
- 1/2 cup packed very soft dates (pits removed), I used noor deglet dates, medjool will work well too
- 1/2 cup packed very soft dried apricots (no added preservatives)
- 1/4 cup creamy/drippy salted almond butter (no added oil or sugar)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Melted dark chocolate, for topping
- Pink sea salt, for topping
Instructions
- In a medium-large bowl, stir the oats, chopped almonds, hemp hearts, coconut flakes, cinnamon, and salt together.
- Pulse the apricots and medjool dates in a food processor until they form a smooth paste. A few bits/pieces are okay. (If your fruit isn't very soft, soak in hot water until it softens.)
- Fold the fruit mixture into the oat mixture, along with the almond butter and vanilla. Mix until well combined. Taste, and add more salt if you wish.
- Press the mixture into a parchment lined 9x4 pan. Freeze for one hour.
- Slice into 8 bars, then drizzle with melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with salt. Wrap and store in the fridge.