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lemon ginger chia no-bake snack bars

Name: lemon ginger chia no-bake snack bars
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup oats, gluten-free if desired; 2 tablespoons black chia seeds; 1 cup pitted and chopped soft medjool dates (5 ½ ounces); 3 tablespoons honey; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 2 teaspoons lemon juice; 1 ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted if desired; 3 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger

Jump To Recipe by Katie on April 21, 2017 (updated 9/25/20) // 10 Comments »

Lemon, almonds, chia and crystallized ginger come together in these simple no-bake snack bars. They are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates and honey. They keep in the refrigerator for a week so you’ll be able to make a batch for a week’s worth of snacks!

About Medjool Dates

The key to these snack bars is the kind of dates you use. They are the glue that hold them together, and they act as a natural sweetener. Make sure you use Medjool dates which are really soft and sticky, and just perfect to use as the base of these bars. They are so sweet that I only ended up adding a few tablespoons of honey to make the bars come together like a granola bar. The kind of dates you buy in a box that are pre chopped and coated in sugar are too hard and dry to achieve the right texture.

Where to find Medjool Dates

You can find Medjool dates in the produce section of large supermarkets. Most often they are refrigerated and in Plexiglas bins with a set of tongs. Some specialty stores and health food stores that have a refrigerated nut and seed section, will have the dates in that section.

Date Storage and Prep

Store the dates in your refrigerator and use within a month of purchase so they do not harden. To prepare, if they have them, remove the paper-like cap on the stem end, then cut the dates lengthwise to expose the long pit in the center. Remove the pit. Then just roughly chop into thirds or so for this recipe. They will stick to the knife!

About Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are a super food! They were eaten by the Aztecs and are now available everywhere. Look for them in natural foods stores with other seeds such as flax seeds. Once the package is opened, keep refrigerated.

Chia seeds have Omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fiber. They swell as they absorb moisture, so they also help to keep you full and satisfied. In these bars they help the texture of the bars as they sit in the fridge. As the chia pulls moisture from the dates and honey, the bars become dryer, but they do not harden.

Flavoring the No-Bake Bars with Lemon and Ginger

I used chopped crystallized ginger. If you can find it, the crystallized ginger that comes in large chunks, and can easily be chopped is best. I like this crystallized ginger a lot because it is very soft and organic. I also used fresh lemon zest. That adds lemon flavor without compromising the texture by adding too much liquid.

I recommend buying organic lemons, especially when you zest them. This is the microplane zester I use. It is only $13 and I use it every day! I also used a little of the lemon juice to balance the sweetness.

Please let me know if you try these bars, and if you do come back and let us know how you liked them, rate the recipe or tag Healthy Seasonal Recipes on social media. If you’er looking for more portable snacks, try these No Bake Bites or these Peanut Butter Bars too!

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