Homemade Energy Bars – Vegan & GF

We all love convenience these days – and I totally get it. We are busier than ever and our health takes a back seat as we like to lean into gran & go food. Protein bars are a million $$ industry and unfortunately, they are usually candy bars in disguise. I always tell my clients to get in the habit of reading the ingredient list. If the first few ingredients are some form of sugar, put it back. I have even seen some say ‘may cause a laxative effect?!” What the?????

Now there are dozens of bars to choose from when shopping so it can become overwhelming. This is where my Homemade Energy Bars come to the rescue!

With just a few simple ingredients you can create your own healthy energy bars with no funny stuff. And save $$! These are totally versatile so feel free to swap some of the ingredients – but here is what I used.

GF Old Fashioned Oats

Dates

Maple Syrup

Almond Butter

Dried Cranberries

Chia Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds

Chopped Walnuts

Salt & Cinnamon

That’s it! Be in charge of your health by knowing what you are putting into your body. If you are wondering how I got them into these perfectly shaped bars I have the next best kitchen gadget for you! Granola Bar Molds! You can get them right from Amazon.

Homemade Energy Bars - Vegan & GF

Cherise.mazur

Skip the packaged bars and make these instead! No funny ingredients here!

Print Recipe

Equipment

1 Granola Bar Maker https://amzn.to/3kLwBwz

Ingredients

1 cup pitted dates
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup almond butter
1.5 cups rolled oats (GF is needed)
1 cup chopped walnuts (or your fave nut)
1/4 cup unsweetened cranberries
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tbs chia seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Place dates in food processor (if hard, soak them first) process until only small bits remain. Dough-like consistency
Place dates, maple syrup & almond butter in a medium bowl, stirring to blend. Add rolled oats and walnuts, mixing well to combine. Then add in cranberries, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, salt & cinnamon. Mix until blended completley
Press mixture into granola molds and secure. Put in fridge for an hour or freezer for 15 minutes to firm up. Remove portions and wrap individually. Keep in fridge or freezer.
*Note. If you don't have granola molds simply use a 8x8 baking dish and press mixture down. After they firm up cut into serving sizes and wrap.