Make Peanut Butter Date Bars

I am not a fan of "energy bars". They're often loaded with processed sugar and refined oils, while their nutrient content is boosted using questionable additives. Still, for those that maintain an active lifestyle, I get their appeal. They're small and packed with protein and carbs, which makes them a dense source of energy to fuel your epic hikes.

By making your own bars, you can guarantee they're made with good stuff, and you can tailor them to suit your tastes and dietary needs. These peanut butter and date granola bars are compact and yet they're loaded with nutrients and energy, packing a lot of bang for the buck. By adding seeds in addition to the oats to the granola mixture you not only get a ton of fiber, you also get a healthy dose of protein and minerals. All this is held together with peanut butter and date syrup which are both loaded with antioxidants.

While you could add fruit or nuts to the bars, the large pieces compromise the structural integrity making the bars crumble easier unless you add more sugar to help bind things together. Dried fruit also tend to burn in the oven, which is why I prefer packing some fruits and nuts on the side rather than including them in the bars themselves.