Chocolate-Peanut Butter Energy Bars

• servings: 16 servings
• active time: 25 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Ingredients

¾ cup chopped Medjool dates

1 cup smooth natural peanut butter

½ cup rolled oats (see Tip)

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup chopped unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

¾ cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions

Soak dates in hot water to cover in a medium bowl for 10 minutes. Drain, reserving the soaking water.

Meanwhile, line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over 2 sides. Lightly coat the parchment with cooking spray.

Combine the soaked dates, peanut butter, oats and salt in a food processor; process until very finely chopped and starting to clump together. If the mixture seems dry, add a little of the reserved soaking water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Transfer to the medium bowl and stir in peanuts. Spread the mixture evenly and firmly into the prepared pan.

Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on Medium (50%) until melted, 2 to 3 minutes. Spread the chocolate evenly over the oat mixture. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. Remove from the pan by lifting the overhanging parchment. Cut into 16 squares.

Nutrition

• Calories: 203 kcal
• Total Fat: 13 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 11 g
• Protein: 5 g