By Wendy Gabbe Day, Guest Contributor
Raising Vegan Kids—On-the-go Snacks!
My kids love to snack all day long—and truth be told, so do I—so I enjoy making homemade snacks that are nutrient-dense, delicious, and easy to pack along on all kinds of adventures. These bars were inspired by the yummy and oh-so-easy to eat Lärabar brand.
The coolest thing about these bars is the endless flavor possibilities! My daughter, Lea, has some nut allergies, so I typically make these bars with coconut shreds, but you can mix it up and add in any kinds of nuts or seeds and any dried fruit you have on hand. Spice things up with a little orange or lemon zest, cinnamon, cocoa powder, berries, or beet juice for color—create your own original flavor!
Not only are these bars tasty and quick to make, they are a fun art project for the kids. Chop them into bite-sized bars, roll them into balls, create fun shapes with cookie cutters, or decorate with chocolate chips—let your imagination and taste buds run wild.
Lea Bars
Yields 12-20 bars.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups coconut shreds
- ⅔ cup dates (lightly packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5-7 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
Directions
- Place all the ingredients except water and chocolate chips in the food processor and process until finely ground.
- Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until mixture sticks together. Add as much water as needed.
- On a cutting board, form the mixture into a rectangle, press in chocolate chips, and cut into bars, squares, or roll into balls.
- Keep refrigerated and enjoy!
Recipe Tips/Variations
- We also love making Chocolate Orange Lea Bars! Add in 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of orange zest, and 2 extra dates to the ingredients above, and proceed with step 1.