These homemade energy bars are packed with raw almonds, chia seeds, and flax seeds. Plus, this recipe makes no-bake superfood energy bars that are crunchy, satisfying, and delicious!
Sure you can buy energy bars from the store, but homemade energy bars are better any day! You can control the amount of sugar used and add good-quality ingredients. Plus, they're no-bake and budget-friendly too!
If you love these superfood energy bars, I have a feeling you'll also enjoy a few other recipes I have up my sleeve, such as these vegan trail mix cookies and easy vegan truffles.
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Why This Is The Best Homemade Energy Bars Recipe
- Convenient: These homemade energy bars are a quick and easy snack to prepare. With a total time of just 15 minutes, you'll have a delicious treat ready in no time.
- Tasty: The combination of sweet dates, crunchy raw almonds, and chocolatey vegan chocolate chips makes these bars a real treat!
- Budget-Friendly: With simple, affordable ingredients like dates, raw almonds, and cocoa powder, this recipe won't break the bank.
- Energy Boost: Thanks to the natural sugars in the dates and the protein in the almonds, these bars are a great way to get a quick energy boost.
- On-the-Go: Wrap these bars individually in parchment paper, and you have a perfect snack to take with you wherever you go.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Raw Almonds: These will give our energy bars a nice crunch and are packed with healthy fats.
- Chia Seeds: These little powerhouses are going to help bind our ingredients together and provide a boost of energy.
- Flax Seeds: Another excellent binder, plus they're full of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Dates: These sweet, sticky fruits are going to be the main source of natural sweetness and binding for our energy bars.
- Vegan Chocolate Chips: Because who doesn't love a little chocolate? These will add a sweet, chocolatey surprise to every bite.
How to Make Homemade Energy Bars
Making this incredible homemade energy bars recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
Combine Seeds and Nuts: Add all ingredients minus dates and chocolate chips to your food processor. Blend until the almonds are broken down into smaller pieces.
Add Dates and Continue to Process: Add your pitted dates to the mixture in the food processor. Continue to process until the mixture is chunky and forms into a ball. If the mixture doesn't stick together, add up to 1 tablespoon of water.
Transfer Mixture to a Pan: Take your mixture and press it evenly into a 7 by 7 baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Melt Chocolate Chips: Put your chocolate chips in a small bowl and microwave in 15-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted.
Drizzle Chocolate over Bars: Drizzle your melted chocolate over the energy bars.
Chill: Place your energy bars in the refrigerator and let them chill until the chocolate hardens.
Cut and Serve: Once the chocolate is set, cut your energy bars into rectangles and enjoy!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Serving Suggestions
- Drinks: A green smoothie can complement the bars' richness. A vanilla or chocolate protein shake could be a great accompaniment for a post-workout snack.
- Side Dishes: Sliced apples, bananas, or a bowl of mixed berries can be a refreshing side dish. Creamy and tangy Greek yogurt can balance the sweetness of the bars and add extra protein.
- Condiments: A dollop of almond butter can enhance the nutty flavor of the bars. Drizzling a bit of honey on top of the bars can add an extra touch of sweetness.
- Snacks: A handful of trail mix with nuts and dried fruits can complement the ingredients of the energy bars.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Nut-Free: If you or your family members have nut allergies, replace the raw almonds with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Protein-Packed: If you're looking to increase your protein intake, add a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder to the mixture.
- More Antioxidants: If you're looking to increase the antioxidant content of your snacks, mix in some goji berries or dried blueberries for an antioxidant-rich twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
For this recipe, it's best to use Medjool dates. They are soft, sweet, and blend easily, which helps in binding the ingredients together. If you have a different type of dates that are a bit dry, you can soak them in water for 10 minutes before adding them to the recipe.
Absolutely! If you're not a fan of almonds, you can use a different type of nut like cashews, walnuts, or peanuts. Just make sure they are raw and unsalted to keep the recipe as healthy as possible.
If you don't have vegan chocolate chips, you can use regular chocolate chips, cacao nibs, or chopped dark chocolate. Just make sure the chocolate you choose is dairy-free to keep the recipe vegan.
These energy bars can be stored in the freezer for up to one month. If you prefer to store them in the fridge, they will last for about one week. Make sure to store them in an airtight container.
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
Recipe
Homemade Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 c almonds raw
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoon flax seeds ground
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 ½ c dates packed and pitted
- ½ c vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add all ingredients minus dates and chocolate chips to the food processor and process until the almonds are broken down into smaller pieces.
- Add dates and process until the mixture is chunky and forms into a ball. If the mixture doesn't stick together, add up to 1 tablespoon of water.
- Add the mixture to a 7 by 7 baking pan lined with parchment paper and press evenly towards the sides of the pan.
- Add chocolate chips to a small bowl and microwave in 15-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the energy bars and refrigerate until the chocolate hardens.
- Cut into the rectangles and enjoy.
Notes
- Line your 7 by 7 baking pan with parchment paper before pressing the mixture into it. This will make it easier to remove the bars later.
- Use your hands or the back of a spoon to press the mixture evenly towards the sides of the pan to ensure uniform thickness.
- Microwave the vegan chocolate chips in short 15-second increments, stirring in between each interval, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as it can scorch.
- Once melted, drizzle the chocolate evenly over the pressed mixture in the baking pan. You can use a spoon or a piping bag to control the chocolate drizzle.
- Store the energy bars covered in the freezer for up to 1 month for longer shelf life. Alternatively, you can store them in the fridge for about 1 week. Thaw frozen bars at room temperature until defrosted before serving.
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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