Sullivan 180 Director of Community Development & Communications

June is the perfect time to hit the trails and enjoy the outdoors across the Sullivan Catskills. Whether you’re hiking, biking, exploring a local park, or volunteering for a trail clean-up, it’s important to bring snacks that will keep you fueled with lasting energy. These homemade protein bars are simple to make with just a few base ingredients and can easily be customized with your favorite mix-ins like nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.

One of the star ingredients in this recipe is dates, which add natural sweetness while also providing fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Dates are a great source of sustained energy for outdoor activities because their fiber helps slow digestion and support steady blood sugar levels. (Source: Cleveland Clinic)

To find a Sullivan County trail near you, visit Trailkeeper.org. 

YIELD: 10 bars 

Ingredients:

1 heaping cup packed, pitted medjool dates 

1/4 cup maple syrup or honey

1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter or almond butter

1 cup roasted unsalted almonds, loosely chopped

1 1/2 cups rolled oats 

Optional mix-ins: Chocolate chips, cinnamon, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, seeds, vanilla, etc.

Directions:

1. Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a dough-like consistency.
2. Place oats, almonds, dates and any other dry mix-ins in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
3. Warm maple syrup (or honey) and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
4. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8×8-inch baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. 
5. Press down firmly until uniformly flattened.
6. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and let firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
7. Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days. 

Sullivan 180 is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a healthy community one degree at a time through people, places and policy, with an intentional focus on prevention and empowering a healthier generation. Sullivan 180 has partnered with the Sullivan County Democrat and Claire Burns to bring you delicious and nutritious recipes on the first Friday of every month. For more information on the work of Sullivan 180, visit Sullivan180.org.