Simple 4-ingredient homemade protein bars that are naturally sweetened with dates!
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 6bars
Author katiebirdbakes.com
Ingredients
1cuppitted, chopped dates
1cupwhole cashews (unsalted)
1/2teaspoonvanilla extract
1/8teaspoonsea salt
1scoopvanilla protein powder(optional)
Instructions
Put the dates in a small bowl and cover with warm water to soften for about 5 minutes. If your dates are older, they may need a few more minutes before they are soft. They should be pliable so they are easy to process.
Put the nuts in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped, but not a paste, about 1 minute.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl of the food processor and process continuously for about 30 seconds. Stop and scrape down the bowl, then process again until everything is well-combined. It may ball up, and that's ok.
Line a 9x5 inch loaf pan with wax paper. Scrape the mixture into the pan and press down evenly.
Chill in the fridge for an hour, or in the freezer (if you're impatient like me) for 10-15 minutes. Remove the wax paper from the loaf pan and cut the mixture evenly into 6 granola-bar-sized bars.
Store, wrapped individually in plastic wrap, at room temperature for up to 3 days, fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freezer indefinitely. If storing in freezer, thaw before eating.