Every time I make homemade granola bars, they taste delicious…. But the texture… that’s where things start to fall apart (someone throw me a bone on that one).
And TBH, if you’re looking for an energizing snack to take on-the-go while you climb Mount Everest or trek through and across the universe, the idea of CRUMBS and loose bits of nuts in your pocket can really take away from the incredible experience of becoming one with nature, gaining a greater perspective, or… taking your well-deserved snack break at your desk.
Po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe.
So, basically, I saw where the market could improve. The world needed a bar that could be relied upon – no more flaky oats or chopped pecans to wipe away. Instead, you will have a bar that stands up to your outdoor hikes or daily commute… Whatever.
The secret lies in the bake. Combining all the ingredients for the granola bar (including a bit more wet stuff to act as “glue”) gives these bars the perfect, oat-y texture with tons of delicious flavor. Apples and peanut butter have been proven time and time again as THE ultimate combo, so my rendition with creamy PB and grated apples (plus a little extra applesauce YUM YUM YUM) resulted in what my boyfriend calls “the best bars [I’ve] ever made.”
So yeah, not to toot my own horn, but if these are the best bars, what are you waiting for? So go on – plan a camping trip, a rockwall adventure, a ropes course, or not, BUT whatever you do, make sure you’ve got a Peanut Butter Apple Oat Bar in your pocket to enjoy when the time is right and the crumbs are wont.
***(Obviously if you’re allergic to peanuts – SUB FOR A DIFFERENT NUT/SEED BUTTER and avoid all anaphylaxis please)
Peanut Butter Apple Oat Bars
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup oat flour (a cup of oats whizzed in the blender until flour-like)
- 1 cup of actual rolled oats
- 1 humongous apple, chopped
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 7 dates, pitted, and soaked for 5 minutes
- ⅔ cup peanut butter (or whatever nut butter, I just like PB)
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 T applesauce
- 1/4 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you like)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all the dry bits in a bowl (oats, flour, baking powder, and salt), and stir to combine.
- Next, pulse the apple in a food processor, until it’s shredded (gnarly, dude). Dump the minced apples (and whatever juices!) to the bowl of dry ingredients.
- Place the soaked dates, peanut butter, chia seeds, milk, and vanilla extract to the food processor and process until smooth and creamayyyyy (you may need to pause and scrape the sides a few times!).
- Add this mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour and spread the batter into a lined or greased 9×9″ pan, then bake for 30ish minutes, or you can do the toothpick test – but like c’mon… who does that???? (everyone should, I just can’t ever remember to buy toothpicks when I’m at the store).
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely before slicing your next week’s worth of delicious and already prepared breakfasts on-the-go!!!
the exhale 