Bites & Bars

Nuts & Dried Fruits Energy Bars

By Dixya

Nuts & Dried Fruits Energy Bars are packed with various nuts, seeds, and dried-fruits. It is a flexible recipe that can be adapted to your pantry, taste, and lifestyle!

I am quickly dropping in to share a recipe for “Nuts & Dried Fruits Energy Bars” which has been a staple snack around here. With everything going on, if you have been experiencing stress eating, or feeling hungry all the time – remember that it’s OKAY. This is a strange time as our routines, family situations, work-home environment etc has changed completely and it will take time to adjust to the ‘normal-new’. Until then friends, be gentle to yourself, practice gratitude when possible, and do whatever feels healthy for your body, mind, and soul.

I have been cooking a lot, which you can follow along https://www.instagram.com/foodpleasurehealth/, lounging around and watching Mindhunter on Netflix, and adjusting to the ‘normal-new’. There’s been a some anxiety, stress, mindless eating etc but again, this is part of the process and I am slowly combing through them and I know it will be OKAY.

What to cook when you are stuck at home

Going back to the recipe, Nuts & Dried Fruits Energy Bars can be made with whatever nuts/seeds/dried fruits you have at your disposal. I usually do an equal portion of nuts and dried fruits, splash of vanilla extract, little bit of cocoa powder, liquid sweetener, shredded coconut, and flaky salt. This is a no-bake recipe and will require a food-processor and a square pan/container.

Here are some ideas/ways to adapt:

Nuts /seeds: Use whole or chopped nuts such as almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, pecans, sunflower seeds. I haven’t tried using just seeds but any combination of nuts with seeds will work.
Dried fruits : Pitted dates and prunes are my go-to but you can totally use dried cranberries, raisins, or dried apricot in a pinch. If your dried fruits are old/dry, give them a rough chop or soak them in little bit of warm water.
Cocoa powder : if you are out of cocoa powder, you can skip it..or throw some chocolate chips in there. Carob powder is an option if you have some in the back of your pantry.
Add-ons : Unsweetened shredded coconut & vanilla extract are optional and you don’t need to make an unnecessary trip to the store! Skip them!!
Flaky salt : I like adding little pinch of salt esp if it has chocolate component. If you don’t have flaky salt, regular table salt works too – just make sure to distribute them evenly in the mix.

I look forward to seeing your version of Nuts & Dried Fruits Energy Bars with whatever you have in your pantry. If you are not in the mood to make bars, you can easily turn them into energy bites/balls. If you do not have nuts/seeds and dried-fruits with you – try this “No Bake Oats & Peanut Butter Granola Bars”!

Nuts & Dried Fruits Energy Bars

About 16-small squares

Ingredients

2 cups nuts of your choice (I used walnuts and almonds)
2 cups dried fruits (I used a cup of pitted dates and prunes each)
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3 tablespoon cocoa powder
splash of vanilla extract
large pinch of flaky salt + more for topping

Directions

In a food processor, add nuts, dried fruits, and unsweetened shredded coconut and pulse. Pause every couple of minutes and scrape the sides using a spatula. The mix should look like a crumble.
Add cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt and combine everything.
The mix should feel soft and evenly mixed with rest of the ingredients.
Transfer the mix to a 8 X 8 pan or something similar. Use a spatula to tightly pack everything then cover with foil or parchment paper. Place a couple of canned beans or tomatoes on top and leave the pan in the refrigerator for few hours.
When ready, remove from the fridge and cut into desired shape/size using a sharp knife. The bars can be stored in an airtight container for 7-10 days.
Alternatively, you can use the mix and form into energy balls/bites.