mint chocolate energy bars

packable fuel for hiking, riding and paddling days

these bars have been coming everywhere with me while i’m in nz for a month of hiking, cycling and kayaking

not too sweet, mostly whole foods, and solid enough to survive being squashed next to a rain jacket or a muesli wrapper graveyard

oats, pepitas and dates for steady energy, protein to keep you going a bit longer and peppermint and chocolate just because i love choc mint

i’ve been eating them sitting on rocks, leaning on car doors, and standing around deciding whether i’m actually hungry or just tired

makes twelve

ingredients

140g quick oats

200g pepitas

180g dates

50g smooth peanut butter

60g protein powder (i used vanilla wpi, but you easily swap for a plant protein or chocolate flavour protein powder that you have on hand!)

60g cocoa powder

0.5 tsp peppermint essence

water, as required

method

preheat the oven to 160C

line a rectangular slice tin (or two loaf tins) with baking paper

add the oats (140g), pepitas (200g), and dates (180g) to a blender and blend until mostly smooth (add a little water as required to get them to blend)

add the peanut butter (50g), protein powder (60g), cocoa powder (60g), and peppermint essence (0.5 tsp) and blend until the mixture just comes together

press into the lined tin

bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is dry to the touch

let cool, then slice into bars

store the bars in an airtight container, or wrap individually in tinfoil