Yum on the Run: Nutty Cocoa Energy Bars

Whether you're rushing out the door without breakfast in your tum, needing a pick me up mid-afternoon, or craving a satisfying late-night sweet bite, these cocoa flavoured energy bars, chocked full of nourishing, natural ingredients, will fit the bill.

Nutty Cocoa Energy Bars

10 dried figs, or between 3/4 and 1 cup

1.5 cups natural peanut butter 1/2 cup maple syrup

1 tbsp vanilla

1 cup rolled oats

3 tbsp red cocoa powder 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1/2 tsp fine sea salt

1 cup roasted, salted peanuts Soak the figs in just enough boiling water to cover. Leave for about 10 minutes.

Blend figs in a food processor until it forms a paste that sticks together in a ball, add a splash of the soaking water, up to 1/4 cup if needed.

Tip into a large mixing bowl (or keep in food processor if yours is a big one...mine is only a mini version) and stir vigorously with the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix the oats, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, sea salt, and peanuts. Tip the dry ingredients into the wet and vigorously stir, beat, or process it all together. I did it by hand and it is totally do-able. Feel free to get stuck in with your hands.

Line an 8" x 8" brownie pan with parchment or foil and press the mixture into the tray until it's pretty flat. Fingers work best here.

Cut the slab into however many portions you fancy and pop the whole tray in the freezer to set. Cutting before freezing makes for easier separation of the servings after.

Freeze for thirty minutes, then separate and transfer to the fridge until ready to eat, or when packing your lunch in the morning.

*Feel free to use other nut butters, or tahini if nut allergies are a problem, and dried dates can sub in for the figs