When I say simple, I mean simple! This Homemade Energy Snack Bar Recipe took about 2 minutes to make. For realz! If I had not had to dig the food processor out of the cabinet, it would have taken less time that!
See, I told my husband it was okay sitting on the countertop!
So, seriously these snack bars are simple, easy, nutritious, delicious and much cheaper than store-bought snack bars!
All you do is dump all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it’s the texture you like.
press them firmly into a pan and refrigerate!
So. Let me just tell you. I had no idea dates grow on palm trees until recently! Furthermore, I thought they grew on a bush like blueberries or a plant like strawberries. However, I just never really gave it much thought. Dates grow on palm trees like coconuts and bananas. Not the same palm trees, but a palm looking tree! Visit Wikipedia and see for yourself.
Homemade Energy Snack Bar Recipe
Dates are naturally sweet, which makes them perfect for a snack bar. They’re also sticky because of the natural sugars. This is good for a natural energy bar. You don’t need a binding agent, fewer ingredients equal fewer calories!
I’ve had dates sitting in my pantry for months intending to make some yummy and nutritious energy bars. However, for the last 2 months, ok, for forever, I’ve been making decadently and sinfully rich dessert treats like this Upside Down Maple and Pear Cake and this Apple Chess Pie.
Times are changing.
Ha, just kidding, I still will share those incredibly ooey, gooey desserts, I just wanted to make these bars and share!
Truth is. I love snack bars. I shared CopyKat Kashi Granola bars and 3 Ingredient Energy Bars. And both have been really popular.
My raw Homemade Energy Snack Bar Recipe is too simple, basically, you throw all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend it all together. The hardest part, the part that takes the longest is waiting for them to set in the refrigerator. If you’re not a patient person (I get that!) they’ll fall apart a bit, but they’ll still be fabulous eaten with a fork straight from the dish.
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Simple Homemade Energy Snack Bar Recipe
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
- 1 cup dates
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 1 cup lightly salted almonds
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 Tablespoon flax seeds
- 2 Tablespoon agave nectar
Instructions
- Pulse dates and almonds in food processor until chopped medium fine. Add cranberries, chia seeds, flax seeds, and agave. Pulse 6 to 8 times or until ingredients are combined.
- Line a 8x8 dish with parchment paper.
- Dump ingredients into pan. Press down firmly to form a flat even top. I use a square of parchment paper to press down because the mixture is quiet sticky.
- Refrigerate a couple of hours before cutting. You'll get cleaner cuts if they're cold.
- Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
LouAnn says
Do I really need to add that honey or agave with all of the sticky dates being used??
Paula says
You don’t have to, I don’t know if it’ll hold together as well.
Christina O says
Hi, I really like an energy bar that I buy that has peanut butter in it but would like to make something myself. Do you think adding peanut butter to this recipe would work? If so, how much?
Paula says
Oh yum! Yes I think it would be wonderful. I’m not sure how much…. I’d start with 1/4 or 1/3 cup and see how you like the taste. (Almond butter would be good too.)
Bree says
Do you think you could add oats to make them more substantial? I’m making them for my boyfriend who will use them as energy bars, and he needs them to be a bit more dense.
Paula says
Yes, you may have to add a little more agave or honey so they’ll stick together with the oat addition.
Kelly says
Would these freeze well?!
Paula says
yes, I cut and wrap them individually and freeze for easy breakfast and lunches
Dana says
Just made a batch with apricots instead of raisins and honey instead of agave, they were so good! Made another double batch with dried peaches, figs and apples! Thank you, I love this recipe!
Michelle says
These look awesome! Can you replace the agave nectar with maple syrup?
Paula says
Yes, Michelle, you can. Honey would also be a good sub.
Melissa says
i made the energy bar recipe just as you showed. I’m sad to say they did not form for me. :(. Even being in the fridge. Any ideas? I used same ingredients in a food processor. I must say they are fabulous with a fork. I will try making them again.
Paula says
HI Melissa, You really have to press them firmly and kind of compact them. Also, you can substitute honey for the agave nectar and they’ll be more sticky. I hope you’ll try them again.
Grace says
Got your recipe and will definetely try them. Sounds and looks yummy. I also like all the ingredients i use them in some recipes or eat them just like that. I was going to try with raw cashews though.
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
These look delicious, Paula! Thanks so much for sharing. Pinned!
Jamie @ Coffee With Us 3 says
Wow, I love this idea! I’m all about simple, and my family eats a lot of snacks (I’ve got a 4 year old and almost 3 year old, so…). Pinning these and buying the ingredients when I go to the store this week!
Thanks for sharing at Saturday Dishes! Hope to see you again this weekend!
Carol says
Just a quick note on FLAX…in order for the body to utilize flax seed and get all of the available benefits, flax seeds should be freshly ground and used within three days of grinding. Flax has anti-cancer qualities, it is a complete food (it has everything it needs within itself for proper utilization), and there are many other benefits. If you are interested in the many benefits of flax, visit the Canadian flax board.
Sarah @ Devour says
Hi there! I attempted to make these, but my brain wasn’t working and I didn’t pick up all the right ingredients at the grocery store. I ended up subbing what I had on hand and they were still fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration; my modified recipe is on my blog today!
Kim @ Too Much Time says
My son recently had to go g-free and those g-free granola bars are so pricey! I tried another Lara Bar knockoff recipe, but this one looks amazing too. I can’t wait to try it:) If you get a second this weekend, I would be excited if you stopped my to share this at my linky party, Get Schooled Saturday!
xxx
Kim from Too Much Time on My Hands
too-much-time.com/2014/01/get-schooled-saturday-110.html
Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes says
So easy and they sound great, Paula! Pinned – Thanks for linking up to Freedom Fridays!
Paula says
Thanks for sharing Jamie!
The Better Baker says
These look marvy! I’m making these today because I have all the ingredients on hand. Thanks so much for sharing at Weekend Potluck. Please come back soon.
Paula says
I will! I love your party! I hope you enjoy the bars!
Aubri says
These sound perfect for my husband and I! We love homemade snack/energy bars and this one looks perfect for us! Thanks for sharing!
Paula says
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy it, Aubri.
Cecilia says
So easy, healthy and delicious! Great for runners!!
Paula says
Thanks Cecilia! That’s what was looking for! How much do you run?
laurie says
I get very frustrated when I read the so-called healthy recipes.I will agree that it sounds delicious,there are very nutritious ingredients.it’s just a fact that sugar is sugar and our body doesn’t know if the sugar we eat comes from fresh fruit or candy.I certainly would make this recipe, but with changes.I look at this recipe as a type 2 diabetic and can see that there’s way too much sugar in it for me. if anyone else agrees with me and have some ideas I would love to hear them. and no matter how dee licious they are, you still have to control yourself only eat in moderation for them to be healthy.I do love the recipes here,I just would liketo see something that is claimed to be nutritious and healthy really be nutritious and healthy. I do like the natural ingredients in it though, and certainly would not want to add an artificial sugar in place of the Agave.
Carol says
Fructose found in fruit is slower to act on BS because of the fiber that is also consumed with it. You won’t get a sugar spike from eating fruit. It is perfectly safe for a diabetic to enjoy a piece of fruit each day; choose high fiber fruits such as apples, peaches, plums, etc. Additionally, if you consume them with a protein such as nuts or cheese, it will slow down the absorption of the fructose. That being said, dried fruit does have a higher glycemic index, partly due to the concentration of the sugars, but also due to a person’s ability to judge what would be the equivalent of the amount of fresh fruit. If you are concerned about the sugars in this recipe, simply measure out what the package says is a serving of the dried fruits and mix it with almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and macadamia nuts (very good for diabetes), and eat it as a trail mix instead. OR, grind them as directed and use HONEY instead of Agave Nectar. Honey (raw) has been shown to be healthy for diabetics. It has even been shown that a diabetic taking a tablespoon of honey at bedtime keeps steady BS through the night and avoids that mid-morning spike which generally happens between 2 and 4 in the morning.
Since you are concerned about sugars in your diet, you should also look at other sources of sugar. You need to eliminate breads (ALL breads and products made with wheat—wheat is a simple carb), rice, potatoes, and pasta. Eliminate those unhealthy simple carbohydrates, and you don’t need to worry about a little fruit, which is VERY healthy for you.
Sinea Pies says
Wow, they sound just great. I love every ingredient!
Paula says
Thank you, they’re so easy to make and so yummy!
Ang says
These look sooo good! Ill be making these very soon!
Paula says
Thank you so much, yes, I love them! Hope you enjoy!
Sami says
This recipe sounds great! I’m def. going to try it. I love dates and cranberries and with the salted almonds it sounds like a great balance between sweet and salty.
Thanks!
Paula says
I finished eating the last one today and I think I’m making some more tomorrow! Even my non-healthy-eating husband liked them. Thanks for stopping by Sami!
Jaime says
I have some ground flax. Think that would work okay in this?
Lisa@ Cooking with Curls says
These look yummy Paula!! I bought some dates a few months ago for a recipe and didn’t use them, I guess now I know what to do with them. 🙂
Kristin says
This looks great! I also need to return to check out all your other recipes – yum!n. I’m pinning this for later! We have a healthy living link up Monday nights called Tips and Tricks Tuesdays and everyone there would love recipes like these! Feel free to stop by sometime! Thanks!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats says
Ok, seriously love this! Can’t wait to make these and then EAT them for a post workout snack! I can’t believe how easy these are! Pinning, thanks Paula.
Paula says
They are so good and you can substitute the dried fruit and nuts and have different combos.
Kelly says
I have a whole bunch of dates in my pantry too and these energy bars sound perfect! Love that they make such a great healthy snack when you’re on the go. Pinning and can’t wait to try them 🙂
Paula says
I did the same thing, so glad I made these bars though, I’m so loving them!
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Happy New Year!! The bars look yummy! Do you think you could use apricots instead of dates for the recipe as a substitution?
Paula says
I know you could sub the apricots for the cranberries. The dates really hold the bar together since they’re so sticky, but apricots may work. I’ll try that next time and let you know.
Deanna says
Dates and almonds are one of my favorite combinations. This looks yummy.
Paula says
Thank you, Deanna!
Lisa says
Ooh Chia and flax. These are perfect! I have been looking for a recipe that doesn’t add sugar or any other fillers! I love this and I may be able to get my youngest to eat them based on the cranberries:)
Paula says
oh great! I love cranberries too! Hope you (and your child) loves them! Happy New Year!
Alexandra @ Confessions of a Bright-Eyed Baker says
I love making raw bars like these – so simple and pretty much always tasty. 🙂 I haven’t done much with adding seeds or dried fruit to mine, so I guess that should be next; those deep red dried cranberries look tempting!
Paula says
Thank you, I like the seeds, you can’t taste them, but they do offer a bonus nutritional value. Don’t you like making something yourself instead of always buying it? Thanks for stopping by.
Becca from It's Yummi! says
These sound like the perfect healthy snack to help me kick back into my Fit By 50 routine, Paula!
I made a similar snack bar recipe, but it called for raisins instead of dates. I love your addition of chia seeds, too 🙂
Paula says
Sneeking in a little extra nutrition with the seed. I could eat the whole pan…