Ingredients:
1 cup pitted dates, finely chopped
1 cup hemp hearts
2 cups warm water
1 tbsp. flax OR chia seeds
¼ cup honey OR maple syrup
¼ cup unsweetened sunflower seed butter OR nut butter
1½ cups rolled oats
Pinch of salt
1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut (optional)
Optional additions: chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips
Equipment:
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Large bowl
Cutting board
Kitchen knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Mesh strainer
Directions:
- Line a sheet with parchment paper.
- Finely chop up the dates as small as possible and place them in a large bowl along with the flax seeds. Add warm water and soak for 15 minutes.
- Pour the soaked dates and flax seeds into a mesh strainer over the sink. Return them to the bowl.
- Stir in the sunflower butter, honey, oats and form the dough.
- Mix in any other optional ingredients.
- Set out a bowl with water. Use it to wet your hands before rolling out some of the dough into a small, bite-size ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Roll each ball in the coconut if desired.
- Place the date bites on the prepared tray and refrigerate until they have firmed up, at least 15 minutes.
Note: Store in an airtight container for up to a few days or freeze.
Recipe based on Minimalist Baker’s Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars