Easy Energy Granola Bars
Serves: 20
 
Ingredients
  • 60g Hazelnuts
  • 60g Almonds
  • 40g Sunflower seeds
  • 40g Sesame seeds
  • 40g Pumpkin seeds
  • 80g Dried apricots
  • 80g Figs
  • 120g Oats
  • 120g Smooth Peanut Butter
  • 120g Honey
  • 120g pitted Dates
  • 30 ml (2 tbsp) water
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 200C.
  2. Firstly, place your dates in a small bowl and cover with the water. Place in the microwave for 1 minute to soften. (If you don’t have a microwave you can do this in a saucepan).
  3. Then puree the dates with a hand blender or using the back of a wooden spoon to squash down to a paste.
  4. Place your nuts and seeds in a bowl or plastic food bag and bash with a rolling pin to break them down slightly. Mix in your oats and then pour this all into a roasting tin and roast for 10-15 minutes until the nuts have browned and the oats lightly toasted.
  5. Chop up your figs and apricots.
  6. In a saucepan add your honey, peanut butter and dates and stir all together until a soft paste.
  7. Mix everything together.
  8. Turn out into a roasting tray lined with non-stick baking parchment until a few centimetres deep and place in the fridge to firm up.
  9. Cut into small squares and enjoy.
Notes
TIP: When a recipe calls for toasted nuts try to do extra and keep them for another time. They can be used to jazz up food with their delicious crunchy texture and provide a fantastic protein boost - for example, sprinkle roasted almond flakes over a curry, add creamy cashew nuts to a stir-fry or pine nuts tossed over a cake. Alternatively you can buy great pre-roasted nut and seed mixes (opt for the unsalted varieties) from most supermarkets which can transform a salad or blanched greens. Don’t underestimate how much children like seeds and nuts; they love the crunchy texture and make a great snack to have on the go.
Recipe by Cooking Them Healthy at https://www.cookingthemhealthy.com/?p=5405