date, pistachio and coconut bars with honey, cocoa and peanut butter

Dates are a great natural sweetener along with raw honey. Both have their health benefits and you will often find one, if not both, in a recipe without refined sugars. Medjool dates form the base of this recipe with the added crunch and saltiness of pistachios. The sticky dates and the peanut butter are what bind the mixture together. Allowing the mixture to set and harden the fridge after mixing and post slicing is important in making bars. If you’re in a rush you could always make the mixture into bliss balls and simply roll the mixture into balls, coat in the coconut and into the fridge to set.

A Thermomix or high powered blender is all the equipment you need for these bars. They’re great for a snack or breakfast on the go.

ingredients

• 250g pitted medjool dates (about 14)
• 75g shelled pistachios
• 75g rolled oats
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 3 tbsp raw honey
• 1.5 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp cocoa
• Desiccated coconut, to coat the bars

Thermomix directions

1. Add dates to TM bowl and blitz for 20 seconds, speed 9.
2. Add remaining ingredients to TM bowl and blend for another 25 seconds, speed 9.
3. Line a 20cm/8in x 20cm/8in tray with baking paper and pour in the mixture. Press and spread out evenly over the tray.
4. Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars and coating with the coconut.
5. Return to the fridge for at least an hour before slicing.
6. Enjoy your date, pistachio and coconut bars!

food processor directions

1. Add dates to high powered blender and blend on high until the dates form a rough paste.
2. Add remaining ingredients and blend on high until all ingredients are well combined.
3. Line a 20cm/8in x 20cm/8in tray with baking paper and pour in the mixture. Press and spread out evenly over the tray.
4. Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars and coating with the coconut.
5. Return to the fridge for at least an hour before slicing.
6. Enjoy your date, pistachio and coconut bars!

Store the bars in the fridge.

For other slice ideas click here.