Our Marketing Team at work created a mini Vday pop-up shop and while I sold HK Egg Puffs (recipe to come soon!), my co-worker Lindsay made these "Speed Dates." These Speed Dates are the perfect little bites to eat before an early morning swim. I've been looking for a simple granola bar recipe and this is the perfect one! These are simple and easy to make and delicious and filling - just the perfect snack before a workout or a snack in between meals. Check out the recipe below! Next time I'm going to try adding chocolate chips in it! Yum yum yum! It makes me excited to wake up and eat these little speed dates.
SPEED DATES
Makes 12-13 balls.
1 cup of coconut flakes
1 cup of oats
12-13 dates, chopped
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds
1 teaspoon of vanilla
orange zest from 1 orange
1/4 cup of water
1 pinch of salt
extra coconut flakes to roll the balls in - about 1 cup (optional)
Put the dates, coconut flakes, oats, pumpkin seeds, and salt in a food processor (or Vitamix) and pulse until dry and crumbly. Zest one orange over the top of the food processor (or Vitamix). Let these ingredients process for a minute until the bigger items are broken down.
Slowly add the water and vanilla until the mixture becomes wet and sticky. Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture and roll into 1" balls. Then roll the balls into the extra coconut flakes to prevent these speed dates from sticking to each other.
I like eating these at room temperature, but you can chill them in the fridge or freezer to eat them cold.
Other Variations: I hope to add dark chocolate chips to this next time! I think it'll add a delicious mix to the speed dates. Let me know if you try it with other variations!