Chocolate Peanut and Oat Energy Bars

If your dates still have their pits, be sure to remove them!

Process Medjool Dates (1 cup) and Peanuts (1/2 cup) in food processor until chopped medium fine, about 20 seconds.

Add Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (3/4 cup), Chia Seeds (1 Tbsp), Hemp Hearts (2 Tbsp), Powdered Peanut Butter (2 Tbsp), Water (4 tsp), Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) and Salt (as needed). Process another 20-30 seconds or until ingredients are finely chopped and well blended.

Line an 8×8 dish with plastic wrap, I used two layers for extra strength.

Place ingredients into dish and spread evenly while pressing down firmly to form a flat even top. I added another layer of plastic wrap on top and used a narrow metal spatula to help press down the mixture firmly and evenly.

Once the bars are pressed evenly into the dish, add the Mini Chocolate Chips (1/2 cup) on top, spread evenly and repeat process using spatula to firmly press chips into nut and oat bars.

Refrigerate 1-2 hours before cutting to get cleaner cuts, or add to freezer for 30 minutes to speed up process. Once cut, I wrapped each of mine individually so they were ready to grab and take with me for a great energy snack!