Simple, no-bake granola bars that work just as well for a snack as it does for a quick breafkast. These are packed with MIND foods: Whole grains, nuts, berries
Ingredients
1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup lightly salted pistachios
1 cup dried wild blueberries
2 Tbsp chia seeds
25 dates (neglet noor or medjool)
5 Tbsp warm water
¼ cup tahini
1 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds
½ tsp flaky salt (e.g. Maldon)
Instructions
Optional: toast oats (preheat oven to 350F, spread on a large sheet pan and toast for 10 minutes).
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oats, pistachios, blueberries and chia seeds, breaking up any blueberries that may be sticking together.
In a small food processor, make the date caramel: blend dates and water until smooth, pausing periodically to scrape down sides as needed, about 5 minutes total.
In a medium bowl, stir together the wet ingredients: date caramel and tahini.
Add the date-tahini mix to the large bowl with the dry ingredients, and mix with a silicone spatula until well-incorporated (alternate methods: clean hands, plastic gloved hands).
Spread the mixture evenly in a parchment paper or Silpat-lined small rimmed sheet pan (I used an 8” x 11.5” pan, but 8” x 8” also works)
Cover and freeze for 20 minutes. Gently invert out onto a flat surface and cut into 16 bars. Start by cutting in half lengthwise, then cut across widthwise in half, then cut each half in half two more times (7 cuts widthwise).
Store in an air-tight container in a cool dry place for a few days, a week in the refrigerator, or up to three months in the freezer.