Raw Energy Bars – cut the junk
- Updated on Mar 27, 2018
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One of the main themes of this website is to try and move people far and wide away from the extreme reliance we seem to have on overly-processed foods.
These raw energy bars are just one answer of many.
Take a typical energy bar, even a raw one. This is an organic date-orange bar I found on my lunch break at the local organic store. Look at all those ingredients. That can’t be right, right?
Along with the usual suspects, you’ve got corn syrup, rice syrup, salt, sugar, potato starch, palm oil, palm fat and inverted sugar syrup.
All you really need to make energy bars is good, whole ingredients. Check out this list instead:
Raw Energy Bars – Ingredients
- Dates
- Figs
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Oatmeal
- Sesame seeds
- Maple/agave syrup
How much better does that look?
The only slightly naughty ingredient there is the maple/agave syrup – however this convincingly strong argument from Anthony Warner, in his book The Angry Chef, is why we feel a small amount of sugar now and then is not the end of the world. With small amount being key!
Homemade Raw Energy Bars – when do we want them?
Now! There are many reasons why raw energy bars rock – not only are they far superior to your average chocolate bar (this in-depth article basically shows through research that nuts are the bee’s knees).
They’re also a great energy boost (obviously) before any workout or run, or even if you’re just feeling tired.
Never underestimate their ability to take the edge of a sugar-craving either.
We’ve all been there. We fancy something sugary: we open a pack of sweets or chocolate, and before we know it, the entire lot is gone.
These raw energy bars get pretty filling pretty quickly (probably because of the nuts and their fiber), but even if you do scoff a few too many you don’t need to feel particularly bad about it.
So, the next time you need a quick pick-me-up for any reason – reach for your homemade raw energy bars. You know exactly what’s in them.
Ingredients
- 5 dates, dried
- 4 figs
- 3 tbsp almonds
- 3 tbsp hazelnuts
- 3 tbsp oatmeal
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp agave syrup (or maple syrup)
Instructions
- Pop the stones out of the dates and put them, the dried figs and half of the almonds and hazelnuts into a food processor and process until the mixture is uniform in texture.
- Roughly chop the rest of almonds and hazelnuts.
- Pour the mixture into a mixing bowl and add the rest of almonds and hazelnuts, the oatmeal, sesame seeds and agave/maple syrup. Mix well with a spoon.
- Lay the mixture between two oven paper sheets and flatten the dough (using a roller or similar) to about 0.5cm thick.
- Stick it in the fridge for at least two hours, all night if possible.
- Cut into bars and store wrapped in the oven paper inside sealed tupperware.
- Enjoy!
NOTES
Nutrition
Comments
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12 comments
Hi, can we store them or do they have to be eaten right away? Would like to try them as lunchbox
Hi chicky! You can absolutely store them 🙂 they’ll last a couple of days in the fridge, and totally fine to put in a lunchbox. Easiest way is to use parchment paper to separate them. Enjoy!
great article (and recipe) – do you have any suggestion for a replacement for Maple ?
Hi Diego, thanks for the props! Yep, honey deffo works 🙂
Otherwise agave nectar
I have made these several times and they always come out delish! Due to being out of certain ingredients at times, I have substituted maple syrup for the agave and cashews for the hazelnuts. SUCCESS! Thanks for posting!
That’s great, Cucina! Really happy to hear it. Yes, it’s definitely the sort of recipe that you can play around with and individualise 🙂
What would be a good energy bar to boost my energy on the bike trail. I do not have a good processor.
Great name, same as mine . How about these protein bars with coffee? Definitely give you a boost, and don’t need a processor either. You could also throw in some extra syrup for more energy! https://hurrythefoodup.com/no-bake-protein-bars/
Made it.
Ate it.
Loved it!
My husband is allergic to hazelnuts…anythought what other nut might be able to replace them?
Do you have any suggestions for people who hate dates and figs? I love energy bars but can’t get my mind around them… Could we replace with an almond or peanut butter of some sort? Dried cranberries?
Hi Emily! What about these protein bars? https://hurrythefoodup.com/no-bake-protein-bars/
They don’t have dates or figs but they do have coffee included – maybe they’re what you’re looking for 🙂