No-Bake Chocolate Tahini Oat Bars
INGREDIENTS
8 medjool dates
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup runny tahini plus more for swirl (I used @traderjoes tahini)
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed (or chia or hemp)
2 tablespoons pumpkin seed (or sunflower)
1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of fine grain salt
1-2 tablespoons cacao nibs
~2/3 chocolate chips (I like mostly dark chocolate with a little semi-sweet)
flakey salt
METHOD
in a food processor, blend together dates, oats, tahini, flax seed, pumpkin seed, cinnamon, and pinch of salt. blend for 2-4 minutes.
taste and adjust. depending on size/sweetness if your dates and how sweet you want your bars, add a drizzle of maple or honey. add cacao nibs and pulse.
if you squeeze the mixture with your hand, it should hold together well. if not, add a splash of water and blend more.
line a loaf pan with parchment paper so you can easily lift the bars out of the pan.
pour date oat mixture into the pan and press it into the pan very well.
melt chocolate using a double boiler or microwave.
pour over the date oat mixture and spread out with a spoon.
spoon tahini in various locations and then use a tooth pick or skewer to swirl the tahini into the chocolate.
refrigerate for about ten minutes or until the chocolate just begins to set. sprinkle with flakey salt.
refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
remove from pan and cut into squares/bars. store in the fridge and enjoy:)
