Learn how to make these delicious homemade energy bars with fruit, oats, nuts, and almond butter! This energy bar recipe has lots of protein and fiber to keep you full and going for hours.
I recently went to a skiing resort that shall not be named, and I took a ski lesson. When it was time for lunch, I was excited, because part of my lesson was free lunch with a voucher.
Can you say “score?”
The voucher had a decent amount on it, so when I went up to the cashier he told me that I had some additional value that I needed to use (or it would expire).
So I grabbed a pack of peanut M&Ms and the first energy bar I saw. It had protein and looked decent. I went up to the cashier and handed it to him. He said, “for whatever reason this protein bar is $9.”
I’m sorry – what?
Yep. That’s the whole point of my story. The energy bar I grabbed was NINE DOLLARS. And I understand it was a ski resort. That it’s more expensive. But nine dollars???
In the days after started paying more attention to the prices of these bars at the grocery store. And they are not cheap. Even buying them in a box or in bulk isn’t that much of a savings.
So I decided it was time to make and share a homemade energy bar recipe. And this costs a lot less per bar than $9.
Seven Grain & Fruit Granola Bars
This is how I make my energy bars that I take EVERYWHERE! I take them skiing and fly fishing . . . eat them after a cycling workout.
These bars contain a healthy helping of dried fruit, which I buy in bulk. I recommend getting the kind with no added sugar to keep your snack lower in calories; this also lets the natural flavors of the mixed fruit shine through.
Note: don’t necessarily worry about the individual taste of the fruits or ingredients. For example, I don’t love dates or prunes on their own. However, I like them in this recipe. So do a little experimenting!
Are you ready to get the recipe? Keep on reading!
Ingredients
- 2 cups of mixed dried fruit – I used a mix of prunes (or dates), peaches, pears, apples, and apricots
- 2 cups whole rolled oats
- 1/2 cup 7-grain cereal (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt or sea salt
- 1 cup organic almond butter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Tools
- Bowl
- Non-stick skillet
- Spatula
- Food processor
Directions
Gather Your Ingredients
Pull all of your ingredients together in various bowls so that you are ready for the next step.
Toast the Oats and Almonds
In a non-stick skillet over med-high heat toast the oats and almonds until they reach a very light tan color. Sit aside.
Chop the Fruit
Combine prunes, peaches, pears, apples, and apricots in a food processor. Pulse until the fruit pieces are very small. After every pulse allow fruit to come to a rest before pulsing again. If you use a continuous pulse the fruit many clump together, and you don’t want that.
Mix with the Oats
Add processed dried fruit, oats, and almonds to a large bowl and mix well. Using a fork break apart any fruit that is sticking together and combine it with the rolled oats.
Cook the Cereal
In a small sauce pot bring a 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Stir in the 7-grain cereal, stir thoroughly, when the mixture begins to boil remove the pot from the heat and cover. Allow the grains to sit for 2 – 3 minutes.
Add the almond butter, honey, Kosher salt, and vanilla to the 7-grain cereal, the stove-top should set to medium-low heat, stir frequently, for about 6 – 8 minutes.
Form the Energy Bars
Add the almond butter mixture to the oat mixture and combine thoroughly. Work it with a tablespoon or your hands and combine well.
Next, firmly press the mixture into an 9″ x 9″ cake pan or 8″ x 8″ parchment lined glass baking dish. Compress the mixture into the bottom of the dish until it is level.
Let the Mixture Firm Up
Cover pan with a clean kitchen towel and let it the mixture firm up in a cool dry place for 2 – 3 hours, the longer the mixture sits the more firm the bars will be, I made my bars the day before and allowed them to sit for 24 hours.
Cut and package in plastic wrap or a resealable container. Note, the 7-grain & fruit energy bars will be firm enough to retain shape, but are still soft.
These will keep in your fridge for about 5 – 7 days! I haven’t tried them after freezing, but you can probably freeze them for a few months. Let defrost in the fridge.
Enjoy the printable homemade energy bars recipe below!
Energy Bars
Learn how to make this tasty homemade energy bar recipe with a lot of protein and fiber! These healthy bars will keep you full.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of mixed dried fruit
- 2 cups whole rolled oats
- 1/2 cup 7-grain cereal
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt or sea salt
- 1 cup organic almond butter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a non-stick skillet over med-high heat, toast the oats and almonds lightly. Set aside.
- Combine the mixed fruit in a food processor. Pulse until the fruit pieces are very small. After every pulse allow fruit to come to a rest before pulsing again.
- Add processed dried fruit, oats, and almonds to a large bowl and mix well. Combine with the oats and almonds.
- In a small sauce pot, bring a 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Stir in the 7-grain cereal. When the mixture begins to boil remove the pot from the heat and cover. Allow to sit for 2 - 3 minutes.
- Add the almond butter, honey, Kosher salt, and vanilla to the 7-grain cereal. Stir frequently, for about 6 - 8 minutes.
- Add the almond butter mixture to the oat mixture and combine thoroughly. Combine well.
- Firmly press the mixture into an 9" x 9" cake pan or 8" x 8" parchment lined glass baking dish. Compress the mixture into the bottom of the dish until it is level.
- Cover pan with a clean kitchen towel and let it the mixture firm up in a cool dry place for 2 - 3 hours minimum.
Notes
The 7-grain and fruit energy bars get more firm the longer they sit in the pan. They will be firm enough to retain shape, but are still soft.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 279Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 124mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 6gSugar: 22gProtein: 7g
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