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Yesterday I was all “Let’s Bake”! Today I am all “Let’s not, but act like we did!”.
Jeez, I am so up and down and all over the place these days. I think I just really like to keep things new and fresh around here.
Either that or those darn chickens are really starting to mess with my head. I’m sure you’ve all heard a story or two before about a crazy “cat lady”. Well, I am slightly concerned that I am turning into the crazy “chicken lady”.
I am actually really enjoying our little chickens. Taking care of them is kind of fun and I think it is so cool that we are going to get our own eggs from chickens raised right in our own backyard. It’s a good feeling for sure.
The other day I was so set on skipping a recipe post for just one day and telling you all about the chickens. For some reason I just really, really wanted to talk about them. Of course it was also an excuse to head outside (yeah!) and take an obnoxious amount of pictures. But then it started pouring and I “chickened” out and told myself, no one wants to hear about a bunch of chickens.
Thus, I presented to you these fajitas instead. Maybe one day, if it ever doesn’t rain in the afternoon, I will take some photos, but as of right now, Colorado seems to be calling for rain every afternoon. I am highly disliking it.
It’s such typical mountain weather. Sun in the morning and wicked storms in the afternoon. It actually got so dark the other day I couldn’t even finish taking photos because it went from day to-night in a matter of minutes. And then maybe thirty minutes later the clouds passed and it was sunny again.
Like full on sunshine – crazy, and a little annoying, oh well.
But it’s Friday and we have some cookie bars we need to talk about – and quick, because like I said, it’s Friday and I have a feeling our attention spans are shot from the week.
You may even be looking for a little booze to kick off your weekend, so lets just going already.
I am not sure if you remember, but last summer I posted this recipe for a healthier version of my mom’s oatmeal cookie bar recipe. It’s one of those recipes that I honestly make all the time, my mom makes all the time, and you guys tell me that you make all the time. It is just an awesome recipe.
I wanted to take those flavors and create and even easier, healthier, but just as delicious NO-BAKE oatmeal cookie bar. I wasn’t really sure I could do it. I mean, I’m certainly no “healthy baking” expert, but I used what I know and ingredients that I love and this is what I came up with.
Oh these bars. They taste so good. Just like my mom’s oatmeal cookie bars only a little chewier and a little less crumbly, but the flavor is spot on and the texture is awesome.
For sweetness I used dates. Just dates. Nothing else. Don’t be freaked. You’ll love these. Even if you don’t love dates. Promise.
I never knew what an amazing little ingredient dates were. For one they are incredibly healthy, full of fiber and super sweet. They work double time as the perfect binder and sweetener. The rest is pretty basic, roasted cashews are kind of my secret ingredient. They do have to be roasted though, so no swapping there. Their flavor is awesome and they grind up to a smooth paste perfectly.
Then of course there are oats… and quinoa for added health and texture, and plenty of dark chocolate. Plus sea salt because every cookie needs a little sea salt. It does. Really.
And the best part – these cookies require almost no time to make and they use simple ingredients that I really hope everyone has on hand.
Mega best part – these cookies taste like they should be a thousand and one calories, but they aren’t! They’re chuck full of good for you ingredients.
And they still taste like real oatmeal cookies!!!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
SO yes, I am so excited about these. Oatmeal Cookies + Chocolate Chunks and FRIDAY. What a great combo!
i am not a fan of quinoa, is there something i could substitute?
Hey Jeani,
I haven’t tried this, but you could try using rice crisp cereal! Let me know how it turns out for you! xT
Made these yesterday as a post or pre- workout snack and couldn’t wait long enough to try one! They are absolutely delicious! My only regret is only packing one in my lunchbox! I am never buying a granola bar again.. These are way tastier and I know exactly what’s in them. I am inspired to play around with different flavors too! Thank you Tieghan!!
I am so glad these turned out so well for you, Maggie! Thank you so much for trying them! xTieghan
These are definitely the best healthy cookie bars!! We served these to our guests and they were very surprised that they were “healthy” bars. ?
Definitely making another batch very soon!
I am so glad all of your guests enjoyed these, Jessica! Thank you for trying them! xTieghan
Can you please tell me if these freeze well (and also approximately how long they keep, if we don’t eat them in one day!) Thanks! 🙂
HI! These freeze great!! Just know they are a bit crumbly, but still taste amazing! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Thanks for reply! They came out great! I froze some for later, so I’m glad to know they freeze well. Thanks again!
How did I not see this recipe before?! I’m always on the lookout for date sweetened recipes (pretty much the only desserts I eat) and these look perfect! I made your chocolate mocha tarts many times (omg) and I’m sure these are great as well! I’ll try these soon for sure! 🙂
I don’t know but i’m so happy you found it!! I hope you get to try them! Please let me know what you think!! Thanks Caroline! (:
That looks amazing!
Thank you!!
I made these today and they are delicious. I live in France and it’s difficult to find coconut oil so I used melted butter instead (I know, not so healthy anymore!) but great taste. I’ll slightly cut down on the oats and add more quinoa next time, thanks for this original snack!
THIS IS A GREAT RECIPE. I HAVE TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE FOR THE CHOC CHIPS AS I AM ALLERGIC TO DAIRY
Why so many copies of the same photo? I thought I never was going to find the recipe. One photo would have been plenty enough.
I hate to sound stupid, but is almond meal essentially the same as ground almonds? If not, what’s the best way to grind them?
Yes, almond me is the same as ground almonds. You can buy almonds and grind the yourself if you would like. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
These look absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe.
If we don’t have a food processor, does a blender work the same way?
I just tried making them for the first time yesterday. They don’t look quite as pretty as yours, but they taste great!
So happy you are enjoying them, Thanks!!