I am so proud of myself.
HOMEMADE energy bars!!
This is a big milestone for me in the food world. I finally got over my fear of blending dates and it was so easy! Like, everyone needs to go do it right now. I’ll wait.
OH, you should probably see how to do it first. 😉 I didn’t get to snap any pictures because it was dark out when I made these, but I’m sure that there will be many more recipes where I’ll get the chance to. For now, let’s talk about these Simple Peanut Butter Matcha Energy Bars! (ps there might be a giveaway at the end so just bear with me;)
The Yum Squad theme this month is the #MysteryIngredient Challenge – share a recipe with peanut butter and a mystery ingredient… matcha!
I’ve literally been seeing matcha EVERYWHERE. It’s basically the new kale.
I’m not an expert but from what I’ve seen, matcha is essentially green tea but it has more health benefits because you drink the whole leaf, as opposed to just water flavored from the leaf.
I’m actually not a big fan of green tea! I really want to like it, but I just can’t drink it straight up. With these, though, the taste is so subtle. You can totally add more matcha if you like the taste, or just leave it out if you want plain energy bars! Whatever you do, just be super proud knowing you made these yourself. Seriously, these taste just like a Larabar!
As for some real life updates, Spring Break 2k15 officially starts after school today! I’m not going anywhere this year because I still have my college class (I do NOT want to miss a week of Calc II) but it will be really nice to have a break from regular school! I want to get caught up on writing some posts (and SLEEP), but I’ll still be fairly busy – track practice everyday and work. But really you guys – I work from 10-8 tomorrow. That is a one-two-three-four-five-six-seven-eight-nine-TEN hour day. Plus a run before that. Wish me luck!!
I’m definitely going to be taking a few of these energy bars with me.. making pizza is hard work!
- 1 heaping cup dates
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (I used Smooth Operator)
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup oatmeal
- 1 tsp matcha powder
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- If your dates aren't sticky, cover them with warm water for a few minutes. Take them out and pat just a little with a towel then remove the pits (if they have them) and place in a blender or food processor. Blend until there aren't any big clumps.
- Add in the peanut butter, oatmeal, hemp seeds, and sea salt and blend until incorporated.
- Add in the matcha and blend again. Take an 8 x 8 pan and line it with wax paper. Press the date mixture in with your hands and flatten it out. Cover with saran wrap and place in the fridge or freezer until firmed up.
- Cut into bars and love yourself for making this healthy snack!
I HAVE NOT MADE MY OWN ENERGY BARS, BUT THESE LOOK DELICIOUS. I love adding dates to my smoothies, and I will like them in these, too. I haven’t tried matcha powder yet…something new 🙂 I’d like to make these energy bars with my teen daughters so that they can take them to school for a snack between classes. Enjoy spring break, and good for you for taking Calc II. I did that when I was in high school, too, and received a lot of transfer credits to Michigan Tech. It was well worth the extra effort.
I’ve never made energy bars!
They sound amazing! I think I may be trying these in the near future. Because of this blog I drink the Banana Oatmeal Smoothie everyday 🙂 You have great posts and I enjoy reading them
Melissa, that makes me so happy to hear 🙂 thank you!!
I have not made energy bars, but my daughter does experiment and has made different kinds.
No, I have not made my own energy bars. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies would be the closest thing.
I have never made my own energy bars but should one of these days. I am a distance runner and am very picky about the types of bars I use to fuel my body. Making my own would ensure I know what I am consuming!
I have tried to make my own energy bars but they were disgusting! That’s what you get for following a rough link on Pinterest. But your recipe looks good!
These Macha bars look delicious! I like the ingredient list you used for these: oats, dates, macha, peanut butter and more! I actually haven’t used macha in protein/energy bars — yet! I hope I win the giveaway! I love nut butters!
No I haven’t.. but I’d be willing to try!
I’m going to make these over spring break.
I have made by own peanut butter power balls but these seem so much better! Can’t wait to try
I make my own energy “bites” a lot since they are so portable & popable! And I need to find out more about this yum squad. Peanut butter is my middle name! 😀
I absolutely love love love dates 🙂 These also look absolutely delicious, Leigha!
I’ve made some energy bars before. I lost the recipe, but I remember that they had peanut butter, oats and raisins. This recipe is similar, so I’ll try it.
I’ve never made my own bars but these look amazing!
I have made energy bars and they taste so much better than store bought. Mine turned out delicious and were not difficult to make. I will have to try adding matcha powder like you did.
No, I haven’t
I’ve made homemade bars a few times, but more granola-esque and less lara bar! Those look AMAZING!
I don’t make my own energy bars but my sister does and I enjoy hers!
I love matcha everything! These peanut butter energy bars sound super yummy!
I have never made energy bars. I love making granola bars for my little man! These look delicious, I can’t wait to try them.
I’ve never made my own energy bars but you make it look so easy that I might have to try it now!
Nope but id love to try!
I’ve made a couple homemade energy bar recipes, but nothing like these! 🙂
I haven’t, but after reading this, I think I may try it!
I’ve never made my own energy bars. It’s too convenient to buy them.
I love making my own energy bars and balls….they’re simple to make and good for on the go snacks!
I have made bars once before and they were so good but then never got around to making more
I’ve never made my own energy bars, nor have I blended dates either; I do make a pretty good protein cookie with oats, protein powder and bananas, and sometimes peanut butter or applesauce. (it would probably be better with dates) I’ve never tried matcha, but like you I’m not a great fan of green tea unless I flavor it up, usually with lemon and stevia (I also make this russian spice tea mix, it’s loaded with artificial sweetners and stuff but it helps with the tea drinking)
I have not made my own energy bars but I would love to try!
I usually make protein bars but I definitely want to try this!
I’ve never used matcha but these look delicious! I’ve been wanting to make homemade energy bars for a while now!
Do cookies count? haha. No, I haven’t yet.
No, but I should knowing this recipie!
not yet!
I’m literally going to make these right now. There’s no way I can just look at this recipe with all the ingredients in my cupboard and NOT make them 🙂
I <3 YOU. How are they?!?!
I’M OBSESSED!! Even my mom who is totally anti energy bars (I don’t get it either) loves them. Like she’s not even a huge snacker, and she loved these, so this is HUGE.
P.S. If anyone reading through the comments is wondering whether they should make these or not, DO IT!!
I love matcha so this is a win win combo!
These sound so good. I love making energy bars.
I haven’t made my own energy bars, but I have been thinking of making granola bars for my kids.
i have! but it’s been a while. i love dates so maybe i’ll try these!
I don’t think I’ve ever tried matcha, but I definitely want to! And yes, homemade energy bars are the best. Especially when nut butter is involved 😉
Nope, I’ve never made my own energy bars. 🙂
Yes, after the first time I made one. I will never go back to buying them/
I have made my own energy bars before. They didn’t turn out the greatest, but were edible. Anything made with peanut butter is worth a shot though! I love the peanut butter cookie Lara bars and they are made with dates, so I think I would really love these that you have made too!!
I’ve made my own granola bars, but never straight up energy bars. These good great! 🙂
No, but I often make energy balls with peanut butter, chocolate stevia and oatmeal.
I have made my own granola bars, but I wouldn’t call them energy bars! This energy bar recipe is something that I will definitely try!
I’ve actually never made my own energy bars…though I have bookmarked countless recipes! It’s just one of those things that I’ve been meaning to do. Maybe this giveaway will be my motivation 🙂
I have made my own energy bars, but it has been a while.
No but it is on my list of things to try!
This looks so yummie!! A perfect snack on the go!