Do you ever find yourself looking at granola and/or protein bar labels wondering what the *BLEEP* is in them and why are they so high in sugar?!
It’s tough: you want something to eat that’s convenient, sure. But you don’t want to throw nutrition completely out the moving car window. Actually the opposite: you want healthy foods and snacks that actually good for you and your family.
Plus, the problem I’ve seen with protein or “energy bars” is that so many of them out there are either too high in calories, fat, or plain just taste awful 🤦♀️
That’s why I think you’re gonna love these Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Energy Bars
I started experimenting a few weeks ago to get the right amount of peanut butter and dates, plus right type of dates (ONLY USE MEDJOOL DATES PEOPLE) and 55 trips to Bulk Barn later, this recipe is all set for your weekend meal-prep playlist my friend.
The recipe itself was really inspired by Rx Bars. Have you tried them? They’re made with very few ingredients (like say 6 or 7). A group of doctors started the company. And I absolutely love them but the only downside is that my jaw cracks like crazy when I eat them.
They’re sooooo tough to chew.
Plus, they’re not for everyone. I gave some to my boss and she could barely finish the bite. It was actually quite hilarious how much she despised them 😆
So these Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Energy Bars are easier on the jaw, plus they taste amazing.
A Few Tips on Making These Energy Bars:
- You’ll need to lug out that food processor or high-speed blender (I use my Ninja Chef and it works perfectly.) As you’re blending the dates and peanut butter into the oats, have a little water on stand-by in case you need to add it in
- I use natural peanut butter so non-natural peanut butter would change the recipe and I would guess, you’d need more water. You could also use almond butter too.
- After I press them into the pan, I’ll add a little salt on top. I use this fantastic rock salt grater from Rivsalt – check it out:
I got this for Christmas from my boss and it puts just the right amount of salt on these bars. You can also use a few grains of rock salt sprinkled on top or skip the salt if you don’t need it 😉
When you’re looking for a protein/granola bar that travels well, tastes amazing and made with real food, these will fit the bill nicely.
I hope you love them!
~April
Check out these other healthy and easy recipes:
Healthy Soft-Baked Oatmeal with Peanut Butter and Peaches
Healthy Banana Bread with White Beans
Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted About 6-8 large
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp chocolate chunks
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Using a high-speed blender or food processor, blend oats on "flour" setting into oat flour.
- Add dates to oat flour and process for about 1 minute. Then add peanut butter and blend until a combined "dough" is formed.
- Line a 9x5" loaf pan with parchment paper. Scrape the dough from the blender and press into the pan.
- Press the chocolate chunks (or chips) in the bar, spaced apart.
- Put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Once set, take them out of the fridge and cut lengthwise into 6 bars.
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