Let’s make some nutritious and tasty energy bars filled with dried fruits and nuts! This recipe is perfect for a healthy snack that packs a punch of energy. We’ll use a mix of dates, plums, cranberries, raisins, and apricots, along with a variety of nuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and some oat flakes. First, we’ll soften the dried fruits in water to make them juicy again and to help bring out their natural sweetness and beneficial nutrients. Then, we’ll roast and toast some of the nuts and seeds to enhance their flavors. After chopping and blending our ingredients, we’ll shape them into a log, roll it in sesame seeds for an extra crunch, and let it set in the freezer. Once firm, we’ll slice our creation into portable bars. These homemade energy bars are not only delicious but also a great, healthy treat to enjoy anytime you need a quick energy boost. Let’s get started on these delightful snacks!
Ingredients:
- 100g dates
- 70g plums
- 45g dried cranberries
- 50g raisins
- 80g dried apricots
- Cold water (for soaking dried fruits)
- 50g pumpkin seeds
- 70g walnuts, roughly chopped
- 75g almonds, lightly roasted
- 35g sesame seeds, lightly fried (reserve some for coating)
- 20g pine nuts
- 20g oat flakes
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dried Fruits: Wash the dates, plums, cranberries, raisins, and apricots. Soak them in cold water for 15-20 minutes to rehydrate and remove any preservatives.
- Prepare Nuts and Seeds: While the fruits are soaking, chop the walnuts, lightly roast the almonds, and fry the sesame seeds until golden. Set aside some sesame seeds for decoration later.
- Cut and Mix: Drain the dried fruits and chop the apricots into small pieces. Remove the pits from the dates and plums. In a large bowl, combine the chopped apricots, cranberries, raisins, plums, and the ground date-prune mixture.
- Blend and Shape: Use a blender to roughly mix the soaked and drained dates and plums until they form a sticky base. Then, mix in the chopped nuts, seeds, and oat flakes until everything is well combined. Shape the mixture into a log or cylinder.
- Coat and Freeze: Roll the shaped log in the reserved sesame seeds to coat it evenly. Wrap it in parchment paper and place it in the freezer for about 2 hours to firm up.
- Slice and Enjoy: Once firm, cut the log into slices or bars. Your homemade fruit and nut energy bars are ready to enjoy!
These energy bars are not just easy to make but also incredibly versatile. Feel free to swap in your favorite dried fruits or nuts according to your taste or what you have on hand. Happy snacking!