Antioxidant Matcha Snack Bars

The antioxidants in this come not just from the matcha, but also the cacao nibs and chocolate, as well as lots of nutrients from the hazelnuts and cashews. If you’re allergic to nuts, we’ll give you substitutions that will change the nutritional profile (and flavor), but still work perfectly well and be healthy too.

You will need

For the base:

• ⅔ cup roasted hazelnuts (if allergic, substitute dessicated coconut)
• ⅔ cup chopped dates

For the main part:

• 1 cup raw cashews (if allergic, substitute raw coconut, chopped)
• ½ cup almond milk (or your preferred milk of any kind)
• ½ cup cacao nibs
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp matcha powder
• 1 tbsp maple syrup (omit if you don’t care for sweetness)

For the topping (optional):

• 2oz dark chocolate, melted (and if you like, tempered—but this isn’t necessary; it’ll just make it glossier if you do)
• Spare cacao nibs, chopped nuts, or anything else you might want on there

Method

(we suggest you read everything at least once before doing anything)

1) Blend the base ingredients in a food processor until it has a coarse sticky texture, but isn’t yet a paste or dough.

2) Line a cake pan with baking paper and spread the base mix on the base; press it down to compact it a little and ensure it is flat. If there’s room, put this in the freezer while you do the next bit. If not, the fridge will suffice.

3) Blend the main part ingredients apart from the cacao nibs, until smooth. Stir in the cacao nibs with a spoon.

4) Spread the main part evenly over the base, and allow everything you’ve built (in this recipe, not in life in general) to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.

5) Cut it into blocks of the size and shape you want to eat them, and (if adding the optional topping) separate the blocks slightly from each other, before drizzling with the chocolate topping. Put it back in the fridge to cool this too; an hour should be sufficient.

6) Serve!

Enjoy!

Want to learn more?

For those interested in some of the science of what we have going on today:

• Which Tea Is Best, By Science?
• Which Plant Milk?
• Why You Should Diversify Your Nuts!
• Cashew Nuts vs Coconut – Which is Healthier?
• Cacao vs Carob – Which is Healthier?

Take care!