FD Healthy: Trail Treats

As the summer approaches, we’re excited to provide our community with the tips and tools to get out living it safely on your own! Last week, on our virtual event series, FD Chef Muscles gave us the scoop on how to create the perfect, healthy trail snack: grab ‘n go granola bars!

These bars are a simple way to use up your pantry basics, and there’s no refined sugars like you’ll find in some of those energy bars in the grocery store aisles. It’s all natural!

Check out the recipe below, and then give the recipe a go before you head off on your next outdoor adventure! Don’t forget to tune in to the LIVE video demonstration to make them alongside Muscles!

Preparation:

1. Preheat an oven to 350 F. Also prepare a small baking dish 8x-8x or 8x-10x pan with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor or by hand mash (place between 2 sheets of parchment and roll with a rolling pin) the dates into a paste. (microwave or steep in boiling water briefly to make easier to mash).
3. Toast your nuts and oats. Toasting the oats gives them a nice caramelized flavor and helps remove the “floury” texture and flavor to the oats. Oats need about 15 minutes at 350, nuts need about 5-10 minutes. I suggest using 2 separate sheet trays.
4. While roasting, combine nut or seed butter, liquid sweetener, and date paste to a pan and warm just till combined. (do not boil)
5. Mix all the ingredients together. I like to do this while everything is still warm, so as to get it evenly coated. 
6. Spread evenly in parchment lined pan and press firmly (this will improve the shape and cutting later).
7. Freeze pan, once chilled remove from the pan, and cut to desired shape. These can be individually wrapped with parchment or plastic. Either freeze or refrigerate until ready to travel. 
8. These bars are a bit softer but make an excellent treat in the wilderness.

Cook alongside Muscles LIVE by streaming the video below !