Recipe: Fruit + Nut Energy Bars (inspired by Larabar)
When you lead a busy lifestyle, its helpful to have healthy go-to snacks to keep you fueled on-the-go. One of my best 'stay healthy' tips is to have a well stocked pantry, fridge, and office (if you're in the corporate world). I try to avoid processed foods as much as possible. I tend to make unhealthy food decisions when I'm either in a rush, low on energy, or I don't have access to a healthier option (like not prepping before a plane ride). At any given moment if you look in my bag, you'll find a healthy snack, especially when I travel.
One of my go-tos is a brand that always has simple, pure, healthy, delicious ingredients that I can pronounce, recognize and feel good about; Larabar. I love the variety of flavors and the simplicity of ingredients.
However, if you're a fan of healthy power bars of any kind you know that they can run up your grocery bill as well. I found this recipe on Pinterest for 3-Ingredient Energy Bars, and they very much resemble my favorite Larabar flavor 'cherry pie' (I also love the 'key lime pie' and 'cashew cookie' flavors - yum!). And because you know how much I love to make things myself, I decided to try my hand at my own homemade energy bars to grab-and-go. Making these at home will also cut the cost of each bar from $1.50 or so per bar, to less than 50 cents a bar. Bargain!
These bars were a huge success, tasted great, and the consistency is very similar to Larabar, and I'm excited to share this recipe with you. This recipe is simple to make, mistake-proof, and I can't wait to try more flavor varieties in the future (will share future flavor-combos on insta).
Cherry Pie 'Larabar' Energy Bar
You'll Need:
1 cup of your favorite raw nuts (I used 1/3 almonds, 1/3 cashews, and 1/3 sunflower seeds, all raw and unsalted).
1 cup of your favorite dried fruit, I used unsweetened dried cherries
1 cup dried meedjol dates
optional; add -in a Tbsp of dried coconut, chia seeds, flax seeds, cacao nibs
Optional:
Toast the nuts on a dry cookie sheet; roast nuts in the oven at 350 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes until fragrant, let cool completely before making the bars
To Make:
In a food processor, add all ingredients and pulse 5 - 10 times to start chopping up the mixture. Then turn on the food processor and let it process the mixture for 1 - 2 minutes until a ball of dough forms.
Once a dough forms, press mixture into a baking dish lined with wax paper or plastic wrap. Then chill in the refrigerator for one hour, or overnight.
Once chilled take, flip the dough onto a cutting board. Cut into bar-sized sections, or roll into "power balls" or cute into squares. Then wrap each single bar in plastic wrap (for easy on-the-go storage) in a container, and store in the fridge. These bars will stay fresh for up to a month, if they last you that long!
*Vegan *Gluten-Free