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Homemade Sesame Date Bars are easy to make and packed with plant-based protein from chickpeas, nuts and seeds. I love thispackable snack forcamping and road trips!
The sun is out and I couldn't feel moreexcited for summer road trips.What do you have planned?
I'mgoingto Sand DunesNP for a much-needed vacation to celebrate my birthday this weekend. We're staying with two chefs who live outside the park tomorrow—they'rehandling the cooking. (So pretty much, thanks for the greatest bday gift ever, Airbnb!)
We'll be on our own and camping with the dogs in our tent after Thursday.Lunches and dinnerswill be simpler andmost likelywrapped in foil.Forbreakfast and snacks, these easy date barsare (obviously) coming along for the ride.
Iset out on a mission to create a homemade energy bar with lots of protein and other nutrients to fuel our hiking adventures. The catch? Ididn't have any protein powder and I wanted to useregularpantry staplesalready in my kitchen.
Luckily, I still had a little chickpea flour left from my Thanksgiving soccas and, let's be real, I always have tahini and sesame seeds around.
These ingredients are simple but don't be fooled. They pack in all the protein, fats, carbs, and othergood stuffyou need to feel energized longer. No powders necessary.
I don't really measure ingredients or follow a recipe when I make no-bake energy bars and bites at home. (Don't worry, I made an exceptionfor this post!)
But usually, I just add aroughly-equal mix of wet ingredients (dates, fruit, nut or seed butters, syrups)todry ingredients (nuts, seeds, powders) and pulse in a blender or food processor. Ifthe dough isn'tsticking together enough, add something wet (more dates or tahini). Too sticky? Add more nuts or something else from the dry column.
This is how you can use my recipe to fit what's already in your kitchen with a simple swap or two. Because there are sunny skies to behadandI'm not about tosend you out to thegrocery store.
📖 Recipe
Easy Sesame Date Bars
These Sesame Date Bars are super easy to make and packed with plant-based protein from chickpeas, nuts and seeds.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Freezing Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Author: Stephanie McKercher, RDN
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pitted medjool dates, soaked in water (12 ounces, 13-15 dates)
- 1 ¼ cups roasted and salted pistachios (shelled)
- 1 cup cashew halves and pieces (raw)
- ¼ cup chickpea flour (garbanzo bean flour)
- ¼ cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 2 teaspoons grated orange peel (optional)
- 2 tablespoons orange juice (½ medium)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Drain dates from soaking water and add to food processor cup or high-speed blender container. (I used a Ninja blender.) Add pistachios, cashews, chickpea flour, tahini, orange peel, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Cover and pulse food processor or blender 5-7 times, or until the mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers but still has some larger pieces for texture. Pause to scrape the edges with a spatula as needed.
Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined 8x8-inch baking dish. Use your hands, a spatula, or the back of a wooden spoon to press the mixture into the dish until the surface is smooth and flat and looks like dough. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top and press again with a spatula or spoon to set the seeds into the surface of the dough.
Cover and freeze at least 30 minutes. Remove parchment paper with dough from the dish and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into 16 squares (or as desired for serving).
Notes
To soak dates: Add dates to a large bowl and cover with water. Rest on the counter (or in the fridge) at least 5 minutes, or until dates are softened. Drain and discard soaking water.
Store bars in the fridge or freezer.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention @GratefulGrazer or tag #gratefulgrazer.
Hover over the image below and click the "save" button topin these Easy Sesame Date Bars for later.
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