January 7, 2019
by Kirbie
Jump to Recipe
Thesehomemade energy barsare just 3ingredientsand easy to make and customize. They make a great afternoon pick-me-upsnack.
I used to buy theseenergy barstosnackon after yoga class, but found them to be a little expensive. And then I realized how easy they are to make at home. Plus you can customize with your favorite fruits andnuts.
Thisenergy barrecipeis very simple and doesn’t have any refined sugar oroats. I use dates to give them a chewy texture andnatural sweetness. Somedried fruitalso adds some sweetflavorandnutsadd crunch.
This is a nobakerecipeand you can store them in the refrigerator orfreezer. I like to make a batch over the weekend so I have them on hand forhealthy snacksduring the week.
Ingredients
- Dates
- Dried fruit
- Unsalted nuts
How to MakeEnergy Bars
- The mainingredientis dates. The dried dates are the binding agent that hold these bars together.
- You need to make sure the dates are soft and moist. I try to start with a new package of dried dates. If you are using old dates that may have lost their moisture, you will need to soften them first by soaking them in warm water for a few minutes.
- The dates are blended until they form a paste. Then the otherdried fruitsandnutsare added.
- For otherdried fruits, I usually use driedcranberries,apricots,cherriesor blueberries.
- Fornuts, I usually usealmonds, cashews, andpecans. You could also usewalnutsor macadamianuts.
- The fruits andnutsare added to the paste until they are roughly chopped.
- Press themixturefirmly into apanto set and chill overnight. Once the bars are set, they are ready to cut and serve or store them in anairtight container.
Other Mix-In Ideas
You can add up to 1 cup ofmix-ins, so if you don’t likenutsordried fruityou can easily swap them. Here are some ideas – I haven’t tested all of them, but think they would work fine. Also, not all of them are refined sugar-free.
You can mix and match your favorites to customize yourenergy bars.
- Dark chocolatechips or minichocolate chips. If you want sugar-free, I like Lily’s brand.
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- Seeds likechia seeds, finely choppedpumpkin seeds,flax seeds, or shelledsunflower seeds
MoreHealthy Snacks
- HealthyHomemade Granola BarsRecipe
- 2IngredientAlmondCrackers
- Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
- NoBakeOatmealBars
Energy Bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
This energy bar recipe is very easy. You use a food processor to mix together your energy bar ingredients, press it into a pan, chill, and it's ready to go.
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dried dates medjool preferred
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (I used dried cranberries and apricots)
- 1/2 cup unsalted nuts (I used almonds, cashews, pecans)
Instructions
In a food processor, blend the dates. At first they will become finely chopped. As you continue to let the food processor run, they will eventually stick together again until a big ball forms. Stop once the ball forms.
Add in dried fruit and nuts. Pulse for a few seconds until nuts and fruits are chopped into finer pieces and mixed into the date mixture, but stop before the nut and dried fruit pieces completely dissolve into the date mixture. The mixture may loosen up from ball form with the addition of fruits and nuts. That's okay.
Take your energy bar mixture and press onto a small pan lined with parchment paper. Press down firmly so that the energy bar becomes compact and the nuts and fruits are firmly embedded into the date mixture. Energy bar mixture should be about 1/2 inch in thickness.
Chill for a few hours or overnight. Remove from fridge and using a sharp knife, cut to desired bar lengths. Bars can be stored in fridge or freezer.
Notes
You want to use dried dates that are soft and moist. I recommend using medjool dates. I try to start with a new package of dried dates. If you are using old dates that may have lost their moisture, you will need to soften them first by soaking them in warm water for a few minutes.
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a professional nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Mention @KirbieCravings and tag #kirbiecravings!
Posted in: 4 Ingredients or Less, Recipes, Snacks
12 Comments // Leave a Comment »
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12 comments on “Energy Bars (3 Ingredient Recipe)”
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Cathy — January 25, 2022 @ 3:03 am Reply
Hi I would like to try making these but want to know the nutritional values please using the same ingredients as you. Thanks
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Kirbie's Cravings Team — January 26, 2022 @ 12:54 pm Reply
Sorry, but we don’t have the nutritional info for this recipe. There are free online calculators you can use to get the information.
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Stephanie McNamara — June 6, 2021 @ 12:00 pm Reply
Wondering if Almond paste might be another substitute for those averse to dates? Love yourself 3 ingredient stuff for meager cooks like me. It’s perfect!!
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Kirbie's Cravings Team — September 22, 2021 @ 1:59 pm Reply
We haven’t tried almond paste so we can’t say how that will work. We’re glad to hear you love the easy recipes!
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Nuri — January 8, 2019 @ 2:23 pm Reply
Thanks for recipe. I usually use date paste, instead of actual dates, I get date paste at Middle Eastern halal stores, brand called Ziad Baking Paste, it costs under 3$.
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Kirbie — January 9, 2019 @ 12:16 am Reply
thanks for sharing!
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Ambre — November 12, 2013 @ 8:52 am Reply
HI! I found this recipe via Lauren Conrad’s blog today and i so want to try it!! But i just have one stupid little quesiton: is it okay if i use a blender instead of the food processor?? Because i don’t have one on hand and I still want to do your recipe!!!
Thanks for the clarification!! 🙂
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Kirbie — November 12, 2013 @ 9:47 am Reply
I’m not sure if a blender will properly be able to make this. This doesn’t have any liquids, so this may just sit in the blender and not mix right.
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Kathleen — September 12, 2013 @ 3:18 pm Reply
Don’t the dates get all stuck into the blades of the processer?
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Kirbie — September 12, 2013 @ 4:30 pm Reply
No, the processor should be powerful enough to work through the stickiness.
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Gwyn — April 5, 2013 @ 1:08 pm Reply
Hi,
OMG! I just made these and I can not stop snacking on them. They will be perfect for moving across the country in 2 months! There affordable and fairly easy to make. I added pretzels, chocolate almonds, and reduced sugar crasins. I wonder if the base would work with something like part dark chocolate and part dates because SOME people in my house don’t like dates (wonder if their related to me?). Next time I’m going to put in chocolate protein powder!
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Kirbie — April 5, 2013 @ 4:14 pm Reply
Hmm, I think if try to get rid of the dates or take some out, the energy bar loses the base that keeps it together. I guess maybe dark chocolate might work but I’m not sure and it might get more messy. I was thinking of trying some other sticky fruits, like dried figs, but haven’t gotten a chance to experiment yet.
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