Chocolate Peanut Butter Adventure Bars

All moms know that there's something about spending the day outside that turns children into bottomless pits. A hike, an afternoon swimming, wandering around somewhere new, or simply just existing (haha) - and suddenly everyone is starving like I haven't fed them since last Tuesday.

These bars are one of my favorite things to have waiting for us in the fridge after a day of adventure. They feel satisfying, taste delicious, and buy me some time to get the next meal prepped. They're chewy and peanut buttery, a little crunchy from the almonds, sweet from the syrup, and then there's that thin layer of dark chocolate on top that makes the whole thing taste like a treat instead of just another oat bar.

WHY THESE HIT THE SPOT

Before all the raisin haters come for me: no, they don't taste raisin-y. Honestly, they're ridiculously good.

They remind me of that chocolate bar that rhymes with bickers - peanuty, chewy, chocolatey - except they're made with ingredients that are actually good for you. Because they're made with real ingredients and have a little more substance to them than the average treat (or snack, really), they're especially nice for little bellies after a long day of running, climbing, and exploring. Though, you absolutely will catch me snacking on these regularly.

ONE IMPORTANT WARNING

The only catch?

These are not made for the backpack. Just like a bickers bar, these things will definitely melt into a mess if they're thrown into the bottom of your bag and forgotten about. The chocolate definitely likes to stay cold. I keep them refrigerated at home and pack with an ice pack if we take them along.

Cold, chewy, chocolatey, peanut buttery, and genuinely filling? Yeah. These disappear pretty quickly around here.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Adventure Bars

Makes: 6 bars

Prep time: 10 minutes

Chill time: about 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats

• 8 tablespoons peanut butter powder

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

• 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk

• 1/4 cup raisins

• 1/4 cup almonds

• 3 tablespoons maple syrup or pancake syrup

• 4 tablespoons dark chocolate

• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to lift the bars out easily.

2. Add the almonds to a blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer them to a mixing bowl.

3. Add the oats to the blender and pulse until roughly ground. Add them to the bowl with the almonds.

4. Add the powdered peanut butter and nonfat dry milk to the bowl and stir the dry ingredients together.

5. In the blender, add the raisins, coconut oil, maple syrup, and water. Blend until smooth.

6. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly combined and the mixture is crumbly, but holds together when pressed.

7. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared loaf pan.

8. Freeze for 10 minutes.

9. Melt the chocolate, then pour and spread it over the top in a thin, even layer.

10. Chill for another 20 minutes, or until the chocolate is completely set.

11. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper and cut into six bars.

Storage

Keep refrigerated. If taking them along for the day, pack them in a cooler or insulated lunch bag with an ice pack, because the chocolate will soften when warm