Cranberry Walnut Energy Bars - these bars require only 3 simple ingredients and comes with a ton of variations! Use any nuts and dried fruit you have to make them!
Happy Monday!
Okay, I know. Mondays are never happy. Unless you have the day off, of course. But generally, Mondays are not our favorite day of the week.
But I am back with a new recipe!! And that's fun! It's super easy and it's perfect for this time of year. We all need extra boost of energy to get to the gym for the workout, or simply because the day is crazy busy.
So how about a 3-ingredient energy bars? I had them bookmarked on my computer for so long and finally got to make them last week.
The original recipe comes from The Kitchn. It is a genius idea if you ask me. Three simple ingredients and you make a Lara bar-style snack right in your kitchen.
The recipe needs dates (a very popular dried fruit that binds and adds sweetness in healthier snacks), nuts (any kind really) and dried fruit (think raisins, apricots, cherries, cranberries, etc.). I am stocked up with cranberries (HUGE fan over here!!) and walnuts (one of my very favorite nuts!). I love adding both to my morning oatmeal or yogurt. They just go so well together!
I tried this recipe in my small Cuisinart food processor (to make half the batch) and in my Blendtec blender and both worked great. Here is a step by step of making these brilliant bars:
Place all three ingredients in a food processor and process for 10 to 15 seconds to break everything into small pieces. Next, process for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture starts to come together in a ball. Process just few more times. Place the mixture in an 8" square pan or place on a piece of saran wrap and form into a square. Cover with more saran wrap and place in the fridge for at least one hour, so the bars can set. Then just cut them into bars (I got 8 bars), wrap each one in parchment paper and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
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For those interested, I run the recipe through MyFitnessPal and looks like each bars is 175 calories.
Cranberry Walnut Energy Bars (3-Ingredient Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup walnuts or any nuts
- 1 cup dried cranberries or other dried fruit
- 1 cup dried pitted dates
Instructions
- Place all three ingredients in a food processor and process for 10 to 15 seconds to break everything into small pieces.
- Process for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture starts to come together in a ball.
- Process just few more times.
- Place the mixture in an 8" square pan or place on a piece of saran wrap and form into a square. Cover with more saran wrap and place in the fridge for at least one hour, so the bars can set.
- Cut them into bars (I got 8 bars), wrap each one in parchment paper and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
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Lief says
When I read the recipe I thought I had to try them immediately. I drove to the local grocery store in a blizzard then all I could find were chopped dates covered in some dextrose powder. I bought them but had to throw in a handful of frozen blueberries while processing cause the ingredients wouldn't stick together. DON'T buy the chopped dates!
Laura says
This is a perfect, healthy snack!
Christina Heggins says
These sound great, and super easy. You got some really great shots too!
Stacy says
Oh, dear! I think I'd eat the entire batch of these scrumptious healthy bars! My favorite bars are homemade and I love that this recipe is only 3 ingredients. Thanks for sharing, my friend. Definitely will make and be pinning!
Marla Meridith says
Such a smart way to do energy bars! I must try them 🙂
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Marla!
Sues says
These look awesome!! I so want to try making them!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Sues!
caralyn says
these look amazing! yum!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Caralyn!
Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking says
Oh boy, I need these in my life, like yesterday since I’m one of those peeps who dislikes coffee and finding myself needing something to start the day with.
Mind you, I love how many energy recipes you have on your blog here anyway, so there’s always something awesome for me to try. 😉 Love how you used walnuts too, they’re my utter favourite.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Lisa! PS: How do you survive without coffee?
Shinee says
Ha, great minds think a like. 🙂 I just posted energy balls recipe too. This looks super simple, and no doubt they're delicious!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Your energy balls look fantastic! Thanks, Shinee!
Kate says
Anna, this is such a great little treat!! LOVES IT!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Kate!
amanda says
I love these kinds of bars! Anything with dates is always a favorite for me!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Amanda! I adore dates too!
Ashley says
Okay, these are total genius. 3 ingredients?! I can totally handle that. And extra energy. Lol. Pinned for later!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
That's right! You have a little baby! You will love these, Ashley! Thank you!
Rachel says
You totally had me at cranberry and the fact that these are so simply - completely sold!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thanks, Rachel!
Tori says
These look really good! Love energy bars mad at home and only 3 ingredients?! Even better!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Tori!