No Bake Granola Bars

(Makes 10 bars)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of pitted Medjool dates
• 1/2 cup of dried figs, stems cut off
• 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup (no added sugar)
• 1/4 cup of creamy, natural almond, cashew, sunflower seed or peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped
• 1/2 cup of walnuts, loosely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups of rolled oats (gluten free, optional)
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• 1 tsp of cinnamon, cardamom, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp of vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Process dates and figs in a blender or food processor until small bits remain. It should form a dough-like texture.
2. Optional: Toast the oats by placing in a 350 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes.
3. Place dates, oats, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside.
4. Warm maple syrup, vanilla and nut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and mix well. Pour over oat mixture and stir, breaking up ingredients until thoroughly mixed.
5. Transfer to a baking dish lined with parchment paper or plastic wrap to help lift the bars when ready. Your preferred thickness of the bars will determine the size of dish you choose.
6. Press the ingredients firmly until uniformly flattened.
7. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
8. Remove from the pan and cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 bar  

Calories per serving: 199

Total fat: 12 g (saturated fat: 1 g)

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 24 mg

Total Carbohydrate: 22 g (dietary fiber: 5 g, sugars: 10 g)

Protein: 6 g