Chewy Oat, Seed & Date Granola Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• ¼ cup sunflower seeds
• ¼ cup hemp hearts
• ⅓ cup honey
• 2 tbsp natural peanut or almond butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt
• 2 tbsp water, if needed

Directions

1. Prepare the dates: Place dates in a food processor and blend until they form a sticky paste. If they’re very dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes first.
2. Toast the oats and seeds: Add oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp hearts to a dry pan over medium-low heat. Stir for 3–5 minutes until lightly toasted.
3. Make the binder: In a small saucepan, gently warm the honey and nut butter until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Combine: Mix the toasted oats and seeds with the date paste. Pour in the warm honey mixture and stir very well until everything is coated.
5. Press: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Transfer the mixture to the pan and press down very firmly using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass.
6. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
7. Cut into 10–12 bars.

Tip: The key to bars that don’t fall apart is pressing the mixture firmly into the pan and chilling it well.