Chocolate Almond Cherry Sports Bars

I prefer making my own sports bars because I believe whole foods are much better for your body and your performance than “sports nutrition systems” which is just a marketing terms for a chemical laden food like product.  Your body recognizes real food and will respond better.  These bars have a similar texture to Lara Bars.  The base is dried dates which are loaded with potassium, fiber, and energy producing complex carbohydrates.  Nuts are an excellent source of selenium, protein, and fiber and the cocoa and the cherries are powerful antioxidants.

These bars are ridiculously easy to make, one batch will last you one week.  Try whipping up a batch of these before your next trip, they will travel well and it is always good to take healthy snacks with you just in case you get stuck somewhere without healthy options.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates, packed
  • 1 cup roasted almonds, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1/3 cup chopped dried cherries
  • ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a food processor blend dates, almonds, cashews, and salt until nuts are broken into tiny pieces and the dough sticks together when pressed.
  2. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in chocolate chips and dired cherries.
  3. Place dough in between two pieces of parchment paper and roll smooth to about 1/2 inch thick, straightening the sides as you roll to form approximately a 8×8 square.
  4. Refrigerate for at least one hour. Cut into 12 equal bars. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.

Notes: Depending on the moistness of your dates, you may need to add a little water to get the mixture to the right consistency. Add 1 teaspoon at a time until it sticks together when pressed.


Based on a recipe from Sarah McMinn/My Darling Vegan