Apricot and seed bars

I had a phase of making too many recipes that contained dates and I needed to find something that switched things up a bit. Another one of my dislikes is non organic dried apricots. You know those bright orange looking dried fruits that I thought were natural all my upbringing and now know they are pumped with sulphates. I don't know the true effects of sulphur dioxide, but if there's an option to have it without, I'd rather do that.

These bars are good in small amounts and when doing high intesisty exercise, as they offer a high concentration of sugar which can cause a blood sugar spike, for this reason, I make sure to add ingredients that are high in healthy fats, protein and fibre (in my head that's nuts and seeds). Seed tip, mixed seed packets work really well for this recipe.

This recipe makes about 10-12 bars depending on what size you want them

Ingredients

• 2 cups organic dried apricots (I normally just do the whole bag so I don't have any leftover.

• 1/2 cup oats

• 1/2 cup organic desiccated coconut

• 1/4 cup chopped nuts of your choice, I always have walnuts in the house

• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

• 1/4 cup hemp seeds

• 2 tbsp chia seeds

Method

1. Cover the apricots with boiling water and leave for 5 minutes to soften.

2. Meanwhile line a tray with baking paper.

3. Toast the seeds on a medium heat until starting to brown, remove and leave to cool.

4. Add the apricots to a food processor, you want to make a sticky paste, remember the rule, you can always add but you can't take away. So blitz first, then add more water if needed.

5. Add all the ingredients together in a bowl and combine.

6. Press into the prepared tray and put in the fridge for atleast 2 hours, cut into bars of the size you choose.

7. Enjoy.