No-bake healthy oat bars

No-bake oat bars made with just six ingredients and sweetened only with dates and honey: a super-easy recipe for a delicious, healthy snack both kids and adults (and dogs!) will love.

We all crave sweets sometimes. I admit it. As much as I try to eat healthy, sometimes I just want to cram a handful of cookies in my face.

I can think of no one, not even the healthiest eater I know, who has ever told me that, when she has a craving, she crams a handful of asparagus into her face.

So I try to keep a bevy of healthy snacks in my arsenal. Not eating crap involves learning how to satisfy your cravings and desires in more healthful ways. I don't believe in complete denial -- I think that just encourages binge eating.

Therefore, when I have a craving for a sweet snack, I indulge it -- with healthier snacks and in moderation. Always in moderation.

These no-bake oat bars are the perfect solution for those cravings. A little sweet, a little salty, packed with protein and fiber, totally satisfying and made with real ingredients and no refined sugar. Plus, no baking!

ERMERGAHD: possibly the world's most perfect snack!

Not to mention that these oat bars fall into that sweet spot in the middle of the Venn diagram of what kids, adults and dogs will all actually eat together:

(Note: Please only give your dog a bite or two of your oat bar -- mostly because you will want all of it for yourself but also because more than a taste of dates and almonds will give dogs unpleasant poops and, trust me, NO ONE wants that.)

I am entirely indebted to the Minimalist Baker for this one. I haven't adapted the recipe very much and I've made these a bazillion times, so I vouch for their awesomeness and simplicity. As with many of my recipes, feel free to customize this one, too, by adding in some dried fruit or using different nuts.

Another great thing? This recipe yields a large amount of oat bars. I wrap them individually and store them in the freezer, taking them out one-at-a-time as needed, so I always have them on hand. I let one sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften slightly and -- BAM! -- I've got an instant craving-satisfying, salty-sweet snack whenever I need one.

I mean want one.

What healthy snack do you reach for when you have a craving? Leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.

No-Bake Healthy Oat Bars

(adapted slightly from the Minimalist Baker)
I wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and store them in the freezer in a ziplock bag. When I want one, I remove it from the freezer bag and let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes so it becomes a little softer before eating.

Ingredients:
2 packed cups pitted dates
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup natural peanut butter, salted (creamy or chunky, your choice)
2 cups roasted unsalted almonds, coarsely chopped
3 cups old-fashioned oats (I usually toast mine)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:
Line a 9 x 12 jelly roll pan both vertically and horizontally with plastic wrap, leaving enough on each end to wrap back over the pan.

(Optional: Toast the oats on a baking tray in a 350-degree oven about 15-20 minutes or until barely browned.)

Place the oats and nuts in a large bowl.

Process the dates in a food processor until they break down and turn into a clumpy ball. Add to the nut and oat mixture.

In a small saucepan, heat the honey, peanut butter and vanilla until warm and combined. Add to the oat and date mixture in the bowl and stir until well combined, ensuring that the oats looks well-coated and the dates get distributed -- a silicone spatula works well for this.

Press the mixture very, very firmly into the pan (really pack it down!), then cover with the four plastic wrap flaps. Pop the pan into the freezer for at least an hour. Remove from the pan, peel off the plastic wrap and cut the bars on a cutting board with a very sharp knife into bars.

Store in the refrigerator for immediate use or in the freezer for long-term use.

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