Description
Delicious and nutritious Pistachio Cranberry Chia Bars made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, Medjool dates, pistachios, dried cranberries, and chia seeds. These no-bake bars are naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup and almond butter, offering a tasty and energy-packed snack perfect for on-the-go or as a healthy treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup shelled pistachios
- ½ cup dried cranberries (unsweetened preferred)
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 10–12)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons almond butter (or other nut/seed butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Process Oats: Add the rolled oats to a food processor and pulse until they form a coarse flour, which will help bind the bars together and improve texture.
- Mix Main Ingredients: Add pitted dates, shelled pistachios, almond butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, chia seeds, and a pinch of salt to the processor. Blend until the mixture becomes sticky and clumps together, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Cranberries: Add the dried cranberries and pulse just a few times to incorporate while preserving their texture, so they provide a pleasant chewiness in the bars.
- Press Mixture: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Press the mixture evenly and firmly into the pan to help it hold its shape after chilling.
- Chill: Refrigerate the pan for 1 to 2 hours until the bars firm up and can easily be sliced.
- Slice Bars: Lift the set mixture from the pan using the parchment paper and slice into 16 bars or squares.
- Optional Topping: Drizzle with melted dark chocolate or sprinkle with chopped pistachios before chilling for extra flavor and texture.
- Store: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 3 months to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use unsweetened dried cranberries to control added sugars.
- Substitute almond butter with any nut or seed butter of your choice.
- Make sure to pulse the cranberries just a few times to keep some texture.
- If the mixture is too dry, add a little more almond butter or honey for better binding.
- These bars make a perfect grab-and-go snack for busy days or post-workout energy.
