Description

These protein-packed chickpea and date snack bars are a delicious and nutritious energy boost, combining creamy chickpeas, sweet dates, and wholesome oats with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla. Perfect for a quick snack or pre/post-workout fuel, they are vegan-friendly and can be easily customized with your choice of nut or seed butter and sweetener.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 cup Cooked Chickpeas (An excellent source of plant-based protein.)
1 cup Pitted Dates (Soak if dry for smooth blending.)
1/2 cup Oats (Use certified gluten-free oats for a gluten-free option.)
1/4 cup Peanut Butter or Almond Butter (Can substitute with sunflower seed butter for nut-free.)
1 tablespoon Honey or Maple Syrup (Substitute with agave syrup for vegan option.)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Can be replaced with almond extract.)
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon (Optional for milder flavor.)
1/4 teaspoon Salt (Adjust to taste.)
1/4 cup Dark Chocolate Chips (Optional; can be replaced with carob chips or omitted.)

Instructions

Blend Chickpeas and Dates: In a food processor, blend the cooked chickpeas and pitted dates until the mixture is creamy and smooth, which creates the base of the bars.
Add Remaining Ingredients and Blend: Add the oats, nut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the food processor. Blend everything together thoroughly until fully combined into a cohesive mixture.
Fold in Chocolate Chips: If using dark chocolate chips, fold them into the mixture by hand carefully to distribute them evenly throughout.
Prepare Baking Dish: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Spread the mixture evenly into the dish, pressing down gently to compact it.
Refrigerate to Set: Place the dish in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to firm up and set properly.
Slice and Serve: After chilling, slice the set mixture into 12 bars. Serve immediately or store for later consumption.

Notes

For a nut-free option, substitute nut butter with sunflower seed butter.
Use certified gluten-free oats to make the bars gluten-free.
If you prefer vegan bars, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
Soaking dates beforehand, especially if dry, helps achieve a smoother blend.
Chocolate chips are optional and can be replaced with carob chips or omitted altogether for a simpler bar.
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week for freshness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: International

Keywords: chickpea snack bars, energy bars, vegan protein bars, date and oat bars, healthy snacks