Raise the bar

Energy bars to snack on

FRUIT-AND-NUT BARS MAKES 12 bars

HANDS-ON TIME 15 minutes, plus freezing

COOK TIME 5 minutes

1 cup pitted dates

¼ cup peanut or almond butter

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup roasted unsalted almonds,

roughly chopped

½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats

¾ cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins,

sliced apricots)

¼ cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

1 Line a 20cm square pan with non-stick foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.

2 In a food processor, chop dates until they form a ball. Transfer to a bowl.

3 In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt nut butter, honey and vanilla, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute or until combined. Add to the bowl with dates, then combine.

4 Fold in almonds, oats, dried fruit and pumpkin seeds. Press mixture into prepared pan and freeze for 30 minutes or until sliceable. Cut into 12 bars.

Store in the fridge.

NUTRITION (per serve) 943kJ/226 cal. Sat fat 1.3g. Carbs 25.3g. Sugar 22.5g. Fibre 3.6g.