Nut free power bars – portable protein for athletes on the run!

Nuts aren’t for everyone- some people have an allergy or intolerance, some don’t like the taste and more recently, schools are becoming nut free zones. These nut free, protein power bars are easy to make and a great way to use up cooked quinoa. I always have the ingredients for these at home, even if I need to make a few substitutions. Feel free to use quinoa flakes in place of oats. The dates give plenty of sweetness, the seeds give crunch and the quinoa is a great carbohydrate and protein source.

Nut free power bars

• 2/3 cup dates (pitted and packed)
• 1/3 cup sunflower seed butter
• 1/8 tsp sea salt ((fine))
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup rolled oats (make these the old fashioned ones)
• 1 cup quinoa (cooked and cooled)
• 1/3 cup sunflower seeds ((or chopped pecans if not nut free))
• 1/4 cup pepitas
• 1 tbsp water

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with baking paper.

Pulse the dates in a food processor until finely chopped. Add nut butter, salt and vanilla; process until blended.

Add the oats, cooled quinoa, and pecans; pulse until mixture forms a dough.

Add pepitas; pulse 1 or 2 times to just combine then add water

Press mixture into prepared pan (use a large piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to smooth and spread mixture flat).

Freeze for at least 1 hour. Lift mixture from pan and transfer to a cutting board.

Cut into 12 bars.