Our favorite dried fruit and nuts to use are cherries and almonds, but you can swap these out for whatever dried fruits or nuts just happen to take your fancy. Please keep the dates though as they help bind and sweeten the bars without the need for sugar.
If you like, you can also play around with adding some more ingredients to the mix: a couple of tablespoons of chia seeds, a handful of coconut, or even some chocolate chips. Keep the equal parts of the base ingredients (1 part dried fruit, 1 part nuts, and 1 part dates), and add any extras a bit at a time until you get the taste and texture that you're looking for.
As you're about to find out, making energy bars is so simple that you'll never need to buy them again.
How to Make 3-Ingredient Energy Bars at Home
Makes 8 large bars or 16 small square-shaped bars.
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
1. Roast the nuts (optional). Nuts can be used roasted or raw; roasting will add a nutty and toasty depth to the bars. If desired, roast the nuts at 350°F for around 10 minutes, until fragrant and golden. Let them cool before using.
2. Add the nuts, dried fruit and dates to the food processor and pulse a few times, just to break them up. Separate the dates if they start to clump together.
3. Process continuously for 30 seconds. At this point, all the ingredients should have been broken down into smaller pieces. Scrape the edges of the bowl to make sure nothing is sticking.
4. Continue processing for another minute or two, until the ingredients have clumped together into a ball.
5. Place a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper on your work surface and dump the dough on top. Press the dough with your hands until a thick square, roughly 8" by 8" in size, has formed. Wrap and chill for an hour, or leave in the fridge overnight.
6. Divide into bars. Unwrap the chilled dough and place on a cutting board. Cut into 8 large bars or 16 small squares, as desired. Wrap each bar in wax paper or plastic wrap.
7. Store the bars. The bars can be stored in the fridge for several weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Additional Notes
Source: thekitchn
Photos: Emma Christensen
These Tasty French Baguettes Go Well With Everything!
Love French baguettes? If the answer to this question is yes, then you're in luck as we're going to show you how to make them.
Improve Your Brunch with These Delicious Eggs Benedict!
This is how you can make a delicious Eggs Benedict at home. It's a lot easier than you have heard!
Bring Moroccan Cuisine to Your Home With This Lamb Tagine
This is how you can make yourself a tasty lamb tagine from the comfort of your own home.
These Delicious Onion Rings Will Impress All Your Guests!
Here’s how you can make some tasty homemade onion rings that are just as good as those from the local diner.
This Marinated Shrimp is Perfect for Your Summer BBQs!
This is how you can make some delicious marinated shrimp for your summer BBQs.
These Cornish Pasties Are So Good You'll Want Two!
Here's how you can make yourself some delicious Cornish pasties at home.
You Deep Fried WHAT? Weird Fried Foods and More
Have you ever tried fried maple leaves? Or a deep fried scorpion? Watch people prepare these weird meals and a few more traditional ones, too
These Delicious Baked Dishes Have Become Family Favorites
These three, heavenly baked dishes have become family favorites in my kitchen. I encourage you to try them out!
This Broccoli Soup Has Cancer-Fighting Properties
This creamy broccoli soup is not only delicious, but it also has cancer-fighting properties. Follow this recipe to learn how to make this tasty dish.
Here's How to Make the Tastiest Salad Dressing!
These charts briefly explain how best to go about making a variety of delicious salad dressings.
8 Drinks That Help Burn Extra Fat Around Your Waistline
You may be surprised to discover that there are a number of drinks that can help you lose weight. Let's take a look at 8 of them.
Avocados Are Incredibly Versatile, as These 6 Recipes Show
Avocados are more versatile than you ever imagined, and I'm sure these 6 recipes will make you want to include them in your diet from hereon.
3 Glasses of Sunshine: Drink Recipes for the Hot Weather
Spring and summer are on their way, so what better time than to start perfecting your drink making skills. These sunny juices will quench your gaping thirst.
15 Warming Soup Recipes Perfect for Cold Weather
If the cold days are upon you and you’re ready to treat yourself with a special, yet very healthy meal, prepare one of these 15 warming soups
Why Settle For Regular Toast When You Can Have THESE?
Change things up a bit with 17 original and delicious pieces of toast!
11 Unexpected Health Benefits of Drinking Whisky
If you thought whisky was nothing more than an alcoholic drink, you were mistaken. This video will detail the various health benefits you can reap by drinking whisky in moderation.
3 DASH Diet Soups for a Cozy Winter Day
3 recipes for dash diet approved sou[s that will warm up your winter
A Fool-Proof Chili Recipe for Winter Nights!
Here's a classic and delicious chili recipe that can be made in just about an hour!
What EVERYONE Should Know About Fruits and Veggies
Amazing facts you probably don't know about the best things we should all eat every day.
This Amazing Ice-Cream Recipe Comes from the 1700s
This is how Ice-cream was made in the 18th century. It was surprisingly made with Italian Parmesan. You've got to try this savory dessert!
Try This Easy Yet Heavenly Almond and Pastry Dessert Recipe
At a glance, the pastry may look complicated to make, but it is actually quite easy. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to make it.
These Halloween Cupcakes Are Simply the Best!
Halloween is always a fun time of year, but it's about to become more delicious and more fun thanks to this gorgeous trio of cupcakes! Here's the recipe.
This Chicken Recipe Will Have Your Taste Buds Thanking You!
Looking for a delicious new and interesting recipe? Try this pineapple and hot pepper chicken and just wait for the compliments to roll in.
18 Common Baking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
If you like fresh pastry, but your baking attempts have been less than successful, there's a good chance you're "guilty" of these 18 common baking mistakes.
You've Got to Try these Delicious and Comforting Winter Salads
These hearty, comforting salads will take your mind off classic winter, comfort food.
A Guide to 7 Unique Tomato Varieties and How to Use Them
Whoa! I never knew there were so many different varieties of tomatoes out there.
Make 10 Scrumptious Dishes Using Only 3 Ingredients!
When I watch a cooking show on TV or grab a recipe book, they all look delicious, but each one requires so many ingredients – some of which I can’t even find. Using only 3 ingredients, these recipes will allow you to quickly make mouth watering dishe
The Perfectly Seared Steak: All You Need to Know
Now that its winter, our steak cooking options are fairly limited to the stove and oven, but this isn’t a bad thing...
These Home-Made Doughnuts Need Only 2 Ingredients!
Here's a donuts recipe that anyone can succeed with. Master these 2 ingredient donuts and you'll be able to make any kind of donut you wish!
Cooking Mistakes: Keep These Foods Out of the Microwave!
It may seem like a good idea to reheat the following foods in microwave, but doing so could actually be a health hazard. Read on to learn more.
I Never Realized You Can Serve a Watermelon Like This!
In this article, you’ll find creative serving suggestions, efficient ways to cut a watermelon, and even a guide to choosing the perfect specimen.
Re-Grow These 10 Vegetables - Just Use Water!
It's amazing how much money you can save by re-growing these 10 favorite vegetables! Follow our tips and instructions to learn more about how you can have a constant supply of your favorite greens, without paying an extra penny.
This Cauliflower Casserole is Comfort Food at its Best
Learn how to make your next favorite casserole recipe, using cauliflower and cheese.
After Reading This, You'll Never Buy Expensive Meat Again!
Do you know what the major difference between a cheap and an expensive cut of meat is? Here are 5 effective methods of making tough cuts of meat taste absolutely heavenly!
This Spice Cheat-Sheet Gives the Full Delicious Picture
This spice chart allows you to maximize the taste of any meal.
Ever Wondered What Presidential Meals Look Like?
State dinners are more than a fancy meal. Here's a brief look at what goes on inside presidential state dinners.
You Do Not Need Outdoor Space to Grow These Common Fruits
You do not need any outdoor space to grow these delicious, common fruits.
Whet Your Appetite with These Delicious Salmon Fish Cakes
Fish cakes can be served as a starter or a main course, this recipe will teach you how to make delicious salmon fish cakes.
Surprise Your Sweetheart With a Valentine’s Day Breakfast
All of these recipes are simple in preparation, but very different in taste and food preferences. Find the perfect one for your special someone...
For a Twist on Carrot Cake, Try These Bite-Sized Cookies
For a delicious twist on carrot cake, try these cookie bites! Perfect for an afternoon snack.
Cook a Traditional Czech Meal With These 5 Recipes
To enjoy the unique tastes of Czech cuisine, you no longer need to fly abroad. The following recipes will allow you to cook a traditional Czech meal yourself.
This Beef Stroganoff is the Ultimate Comfort Food
This recipe will show you how to make the ultimate comfort food - beef stroganoff.
Make Delicious Meatloaf Using This Simple Recipe!
This recipe teaches you how to make the most tender, most delicious meatloaf that you have ever had.
Why You Should NEVER Eat the White Part of Moldy Bread
Many of us simply cut off mold from a slice of bread and eat the rest, but you really shouldn't do that. Find out why in this informative video.
Here's How You Can Dice Green Onions Like a Professional
Prepare to take your cooking skills to the next level by learning about the correct way to dice green onions.
Who Knew Salad Dressings Could Be So Healthy?
Who knew salad dressings could be so healthy and easy to make?
15 Delicious Street Foods to Try When You Go Traveling
The world is full of inventive dishes and each country boasts a signature street food. Here are the best street foods from around the world.