Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium, and antioxidants. These energy bars are a great way to get all of these beneficial nutrients on-the-go!
Unlike many store-bought energy bars, these are gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free.
INGREDIENTS- 1 lb large Medjool dates
- 4 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
- 1 cup chia seeds
- Optional: 1/4 cup raw cashews or almonds
Remove pits from the dates and chop dates in food processor or blender until they form a paste.
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Put the paste in a medium-sized bowl and mix in coconut oil with a spoon or clean hands (greased with coconut oil, as paste is very sticky). Gradually add in chia seeds until the mixture reaches a uniform consistency.
At this point you may customize your bars by adding optional ingredients such as 1/4 cup chopped raw nuts, or shredded coconut. A pinch of cinnamon or 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract is also optional. For my bars, I pulsed a 1/4 cup of raw cashews in blender until finely chopped and added to paste.
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Spread paste onto the bottom of a baking pan. My paste spread out into a 9″ x 10″ rectangle at about a 1/3 inch thickness. You may enjoy a serving immediately, but the bars are chewier after chilling in the refrigerator. Keep refrigerated and enjoy throughout the week!
Coconut oil is a great source of energy. Coconut oil is composed of about 66% medium-chain triglycerides, which do not require emulsification for digestion, and are absorbed directly through the gut wall for quick, non-insulin-dependent energy. The fat from the coconut oil in addition to the sugar from the dates makes this a well-rounded energy bar for an active lifestyle!
