Apricot Cashew Energy Bars

These delicious and healthy apricot cashew energy bars are made with only whole food ingredients, packed with energy, fibre, protein, and healthy fats, and they are dairy free, gluten free and plant-based!

Apricot Cashew Energy Bars

 

One of my favourite snacks to make at home is energy bars, balls, or bites. They are super easy to whip up, convenient for on-the-go, and really simple when it comes to ingredients. 

These tasty apricot cashew energy bars are filled with whole-food healthy ingredients including dried apricots, raw cashews, hemp seed, unsweetened coconut, and rolled oats. While many packaged energy bars or snack bars can contain artificial flavors, colors, and added sugars, these are a great alternative and super easy to make!

They taste wonderfully sweet with a lovely apricot flavour and a subtle hint of coconut. The combination is really delicious and the touch of sea salt brings everything together. 

Do Energy Bars Actually Give You Energy?

 

Yes! While energy bars can vary greatly in ingredients they almost always contain a specific ingredient (or a few) that contribute specifically to energy production. Energy bars almost always contain a source of simple carbohydrates such as dried fruit or honey, which break down quickly during digestion and are used for immediate energy. 

Energy bars often also contain nuts and/or seeds which contain a mix of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and help boost energy levels. 

One important thing to consider when consuming energy bars is to enjoy them when you need them, such as before a workout, in the middle of a busy day, or first thing in the morning rather than later in the evening when you are about to go to bed (our bodies don’t typically need a boost of energy then….unless maybe you have a toddler or baby, ha!). 

Energizing Ingredients in Apricot Cashew Energy Bars

 

These delicious and easy energy bars contain only seven main ingredients, all whole-foods, and many you likely already have in your kitchen! Here’s what you need and a little explanation of the energy-boosting effects of these foods: 

• Dried apricots (a source of simple carbohydrates for immediate energy boosting)
• Raw cashews (a balanced mix of healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates for energy production)
• Shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut (a great source of healthy fats which helps balance out the carbohydrates in the bar)
• Hemp seeds (a balanced mix of healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates for energy production)
• Coconut oil (a great source of healthy fats which helps balance out the carbohydrates in the bar)
• Raw honey or pure maple syrup (unrefined simple carbohydrates for immediate energy boosting)
• Sea salt (to amplify the flavours in the bar)

How To Make Energy Bars in a Food Processor

 

To make these energy bars it’s best to use a good quality food processor. I love the Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor (affiliate link) as it’s super sturdy and makes processing a breeze! All you need is a little patience and a sturdy processor for awesome bars. Here’s what you’ll do to make these apricot cashew energy bars:

1. Add cashews (or other nuts such as almonds or walnuts) to the food processor and process on high until crumbly, about 10 seconds. 
2. Add in dried apricots (or other dried fruits such as pitted dates) along with other dry ingredients (seeds, oats, spices, etc.). 
3. Add in wet ingredients such as coconut oil liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.), or non-dairy milk. 
4. Process on high for 30-seconds to 1-minute, stopping every 20-seconds to scrape the sides with a spatula. 
5. A crumbly and sticky mixture will be achieved, or everything may begin to clump together into a ball in the processor (this is fine). 
6. Transfer energy bar “batter” to a baking pan and press firmly and evenly into the pan. 
7. Chill for at least an hour, then cut evenly into bars or squares.  

How Do You Store Energy Bars At Home?

 

Homemade energy bars like these apricot cashew energy bars are super simple to store. I recommend putting them in a Tupperware container and storing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can also store them on the counter in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months. 

These bars are great for on-the-go and can be placed in a ziplock or reusable bag and taken along with you, I just recommend avoiding storing them or keeping them in hot temperatures as they will get sticky and overly soft, and may not maintain their shape as well. 

Do you make your own homemade energy bars? I’d love to hear about the mix of ingredients you use in the comments. Be sure to pin the photo below the recipe to save this one for later! 

Pin Me!

 

More Homemade Bar Recipes You’ll Love:

• Vegan PB & J Energy Bars
• Healthy Snickers Protein Bar
• Healthy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars