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:
- Add cashews (or other nuts such as almonds or walnuts) to the food processor and process on high until crumbly, about 10 seconds.
- Add in dried apricots (or other dried fruits such as pitted dates) along with other dry ingredients (seeds, oats, spices, etc.).
- Add in wet ingredients such as coconut oil liquid sweetener (honey, maple syrup, etc.), or non-dairy milk.
- Process on high for 30-seconds to 1-minute, stopping every 20-seconds to scrape the sides with a spatula.
- A crumbly and sticky mixture will be achieved, or everything may begin to clump together into a ball in the processor (this is fine).
- Transfer energy bar “batter” to a baking pan and press firmly and evenly into the pan.
- 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!
Apricot Cashew Energy Bars
These delicious apricot energy bars are gluten free, dairy free, vegan or plant-based and wonderfully healthy for energy boosting any time of day!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1 1/2 cups shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups dried apricots (see notes)
- 2-3 tablespoons raw honey or pure maple syrup (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1-2 tablespoons water (if needed, see notes)
Instructions
- Line the bottom of an 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Add cashews, hemp seeds, sea salt, and coconut to the food processor and pulse on high for about 10 seconds until crumbly.
- Add in the dried apricots along with the honey or maple syrup, and coconut oil and process again on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stopping intermittently 2-3 times to scrape the sides of the processor with a spatula, until a crumbly, sticky mixture is achieved.
- The mixture should start to clump together in the food processor. Next, transfer the nixture to a baking pan lined with parchment.
- Firmly press the energy bar mixture into the baking pan using a spatula to make an even, smooth layer.
- Place pan in the freezer for one hour, then remove and cut into 8-10 bars or squares.
- Place bars in an airtight container and store for up to 1 week on the countertop, 2 weeks in the fridge, or 3 months in the freezer.
Notes
- If your apricots are on the harder side, rather than a soft and squishy texture (they usually harden if exposed to air for longer periods), soak them in hot water for 10 minutes and drain before adding to the food processor. This will ensure the apricots process nicely with the other ingredients.
- If the mixture isn't getting sticky enough or seems too dry or crumbly, add in an extra tablespoon of honey/maple syrup OR 1-2 tablespoons of water WHILE the mixture is processing through the top opening of the food processor. This will make the batter stickier and clump together in a ball, then transfer to the pan with a spatula to avoid sticky hands!
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Christal, while I love the taste of these as is, I do find that my stomach is not a fan of the rolled oats. Can I substitute protein powder for the rolled oats, or something else?
Hi Monika! You could substitute half protein powder for half the oats! Or sub the oats for kamut flakes, or maybe spelt flakes?
Thanks for the suggestions Christal…will try one of them!
These are a huge hit in our house but…what am I doing wrong!!!! I have tried a blendtec and a kitchenaid food processor and it just get all sticky and wont blend?? Any suggestions?
Hi Jess, do you try making the mixture in smaller batches? It might just be too much for your processor all at once!
Just made these, and they are soooo good! Moist, sweet (but not overly), and just plain delicious. Can’t believe they are healthy too as they taste so good. Usually anything “healthy” does not taste so great, and you feel deprived. I didn’t have Hemp seeds, but I did have some Holy Crap cereal mix (which has hemp seeds in it, among other seeds), so I used that instead. Turned out great, and another healthy alternative to just hemp seeds, if someone already has this cereal in their pantry. This is a definite keeper, In addition to the Almond Joy bars (my husband can’t get enough of these!). Thanks for sharing these great healthy homemade energy bars!
Thanks for the feedback Monika! So glad you enjoyed these! 🙂
We LOVED them! My husband has already requested another batch, and a third batch of the Almond Joy bars! So glad I found your site!
So awesome Monika!!! 🙂
Just wondering how many calories are in each slice? Protein and fat amounts as well if possible. Sorry to be a pain! Taste absolutely wonderful though!
Hi Holly! 171 calories 10g fat and 3g protein per bar! 🙂
Just made these and so yummy and easy, such a healthy but delicious treat, I cants wait to try the chocolate, date and cashew ones next week, thank you for this recipe!
You are very welcome Laura!
I made these bars. They are very tasty. The problem is not as compact mass. Decompose.
What can I do to be compact, as shown? Thank you.
You just need to firmly press the mixture into a pan, or add a little water while the ingredients are in the food processor to make the “batter” sticky!
Thank you for fast reply. For a better sticky is it better that the ingredients are milled larger or smaller? Do you need to bake it in the oven?
Nope it’s raw! You just freeze it to set!
how many carbs are in these energy bars?
19g per bar!
I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE RECIPE YET
It’s in the post 🙂
These look amazing. I can’t wait to give them a go
JUST FOUND YOUR BLOG….CAN’T WAIT TO TRY THE CASHEW APRICOT BARS! DO YOU BAKE THE ROLLED OATS FIRST? DO YOU THINK I COULD SUBSTITUTE MOLASSES FOR THE AGUAVE?
THANKS!
JAY
Hey Jay, no need to bake the oats, just raw, and I would use honey instead… molasses might be too heavy!