Light Bites Vegetarian Vegan

Vegan Energy Bars

If you're trying to stay healthy or lose weight, the hardest thing to suss is the snacking! When you're hungry mid-morning, it's all too easy to reach for the biscuits (in our case at least)! These energy bars are the perfect snack - they're sticky and decadent, yet packed with goodness. And what's more, they're vegan!

20 minutes, plus setting prep, 25 minutes cook

Serves 6 bars

Ingredients

100g almonds - roughly chopped + an extra handful to sprinkle on top

50g sunflower seeds

50g pumpkin seeds

1 JAZZ™ Apple - cut into small and thin pieces

6 Medjool dates - pitted

3 tbsp nut butter of your choice (we used peanut)

3 tbsp maple syrup

2 tbsp plant milk

50g dark chocolate

Method

Preheat oven to 150°C/Fan 130°C/Gas 2.

Add the chopped JAZZ™ Apple to a large baking tray covered with parchment paper and bake in the oven for 25 minutes until the apple pieces are fairly dry.

Next, add the maple syrup and Medjool dates to a pan on a medium heat. Mix everything together and once the maple syrup starts to bubble, add in the nut butter. Using the back of a wooden spoon, mash down the dates until you have a sticky paste. Add in the plant milk and mix everything together.

Transfer the mixture to a loaf tin covered with parchment paper. Spread the mixture in the tin and with the back of a spoon make sure to press the mixture firmly down. Place the tin in the fridge to firm up for 30 minutes.

In the meantime, melt the dark chocolate. Remove the tin from the fridge and pour over the melted dark chocolate and sprinkle over some chopped almonds. Place the tin in the freezer to set for 2-3 hours.

Remove from the freezer and cut into thick bars. The bars will be a bit sticky (but so utterly delicious) so the best way to store them is to keep them in the freezer.