If you are headed "out" this holiday of anytime or year, these vegan, gluten-free, amazing Roadtrip Bars just may save the day or weekend. You can whip them up in about a half hour, I promise, I just did!..
Freshly sliced snack bars..
chocolate optional.
And a LITTLE chocolate in the bars. Just a touch of chips makes a difference!
The flavors. Rolled oats, almond butter, dates, vanilla, cinnamon, citrus, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and yes, chocolate. And you can change out some of the nuts and seeds and even the nut butter for whatever you have on hand.
Crank that oven up to 400 degrees and whip these up!
Roadtrip Bars
By Published 12/24/2014
These nutty, amazing vegan homemade bars are perfect as a healthy snack, or a roadtrip nibble. Easy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ⅓ cup almond butter, softened
- ⅓ cup maple syrup, grade B
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, raw/sprouted
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- citrus date paste:
- 6 Medjool dates, pitted
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- pinch of orange zest
- 2-3 tablespoon vegan chocolate chips
- optional: chocolate drizzle (1 part coconut oil to 1 part chocolate chips - melted)
Instructions
- Turn oven to 400 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and toss well until combined.
- For the date paste, blend the dates and orange juice and zest in a Vitamix (I used my S30) - you could also use a food processor. Scrape out date paste and fold into the oat mixture.
- Line a 8-9" baking dish with parchment paper. Pour in the bar mixture and flatten with another sheet of parchment paper, pressing out the bars.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 20-22 minutes. Cool completely before slicing and serving or drizzling with optional chocolate drizzle.
- Store in the fridge. Best "taken on the road" when they are fully chilled so that they do not get mushy and pack a bit better. Wrap in plastic wrap if needed for better transport.
Yield: 10 barsPrep Time: 00 hrs. 08 mins. Cook time: 00 hrs. 20 mins. Total time: 28 mins. Tags: bars,snack,roadtrip,vegan,glutenfree,chocolate,oats,breakfast
Disclosure: I am a Vitamix affiliate and any links to their products are via my affiliate account.
don alper says
Do you leave the upper parchment paper during the baking? Not clear in instructions.
Joyce Counts says
I can't have dates. Is there anything else I can use to substitute?
Kathy Patalsky says
the dates add some really nice binding and stickiness and sweetness, but you can omit them if you add in some virgin coconut oil - this will help the bars firm up in the fridge - you could also fold in some melted chocolate chips which would also help bind things together when these firm in the fridge. More nut butter could also help to replace some of the dates. Hope that helps!
Laurie A. says
I'm snacking on one right now. They're delicious Kathy; thanks for another terrific recipe! I'm getting so excited for your book release! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Super! Thank you me too
RockMyVeganSocks says
What a perfect portable snack! I'm about to travel and this would be a great take-along snack... sadly I'm out of half of the ingredients in my valiant attempt at cleaning out the fridge before I go haha ;p So maybe I'll just make them when I get back ;p
RockMyVeganSocks says
ps. That video is so cute & you look fabulous in your dress =)
Regina Violet says
Hah! I adore your site anyway, and I haven't had the chance to visit in a bit ... today, I needed to find nice roadtrip eats, and lo and behold, a recent, nummy recipe! I'm not a fan of orange and chocolate, so i'm gonna play with some blended blueberries instead of the orange juice. Can't wait to try these! Thank you!
Saying out says
Oh yes, I just love bars and burgers, smoothies and salads and soups. I can always pack these in the freezer in fridge and take them everywhere. Ireland is not a comfy place for vegans but my bag is a place of wonders!
Theresa "Sam" Houghton says
Oh my gosh, so much yes! These look amazing. I can't wait to whip up a batch even though I have no road trip to take them on, haha.
Megan @fittingintovegan.com says
oh. Yum. Something else I want eat all of!
Marfigs says
Yuuuummm - my heart just did a hop, skip and a jump at the sight of these! 😀
Heather McClees says
Oh, these look AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing Kathy, a must-make for sure!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND LOTS OF LOVE!
Millie | Add A Little says
This looks so tasty!! Love this idea for school too!
Valencia - Life of a Vegaholic says
Totally agree with you there Millie! 🙂 These would make great additions to lunches for school!
Renard Moreau says
[ Smiles ] I am biased; I like anything vegan.
Kathy, your "Roadtrip Bars" gets two thumbs up!
Emily says
These look SO good! And this is a perfectly timed recipe since my boyfriend and I have a 10-hour drive back home on Saturday!
Kathy Patalsky says
Perfect! They are so so yummy!