Recipe
Orange, Oat & Seed Energy Bars
Chewy oat bars packed with dates, dried fruit, seeds and a bright hit of orange.
Ingredients
Method
15 mins prep35 mins cook50 mins total
Heat the oven to 170°C, or 150°C fan, and lightly oil a 20cm square baking tin or similar shallow tray.
Put the dates, orange zest, orange juice and water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat and cook for 5–8 minutes, stirring, until the dates are very soft.
Mash the softened dates in the pan with a fork to make a thick paste, then tip it into a large mixing bowl.
Add the oats, goji berries, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and cacao nibs. Pour in 4 tbsp of the oil and mix until everything is evenly coated.
Press the mixture firmly into the prepared tin and brush the surface with the remaining 1 tbsp oil. Scatter over a little extra orange zest.
Bake for about 35 minutes, until the top is golden and the slab feels set at the edges. Cool completely in the tin before cutting into 10 bars.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature and eat within 10 days.
Notes
Swap the cranberries for chopped dried apricots or raisins if preferred.
Press the mixture down firmly, especially around the corners, to reduce crumbling when the bars are sliced.
About this recipe
These easy baked bars combine soft dates and orange with jumbo oats, berries, pumpkin seeds and flax for a chewy, satisfying snack. Cacao nibs add a gently bitter chocolate note without making the bars overly sweet.
They are useful for packed lunches, walks or a quick breakfast on the go. Cool the slab completely before cutting so the bars firm up, then keep them in an airtight container.
