Incredibly delicious No-Bake Cinnamon Apple Energy Bars. A delicious mix of chewy & crispy & so quick & easy to make!
Yay! I have officially weaned my husband off store bought energy bars! It's taken some time but he's been won over by my home-made delicious offerings instead. That makes me very happy.
Have you checked the ingredients in some of these bars? Not all are bad, but the ones with half decent ingredients cost an arm and a leg.
They are much cheaper to make yourself and are incredibly easy, especially when they are no-bake like these Cinnamon Apple Energy Bars.
GET ON YOUR BIKE
It all started with my Super Seedy Power Cookies. He ate most of those before I even got a look in. As a very keen cyclist he goes out at the weekend cycling further than I would ever dream of.
That insinuates I might dream of cycling. Let me tell you, that never happens. In fact, I haven't ridden a bike since I was about 13. I think the novelty wore off after a few weeks. It would be a stretch to even call it cycling. He literally goes miles and miles and rides in things like the Gran Fondo.
I'll take the car thanks ????
On his stupendous rides, he needs to take quick, easily accessible snacks that won't fall apart when stuffed in his pocket.
The afore mentioned Super Seedy Power Cookies are perfect. So yummy..Here they are:
And my Mint Chocolate Truffle Larabar Bites are great when it's pretty cold, otherwise they go a bit melty.
To give him some variety I have been experimenting with different recipes and flavour combos and these No-Bake Cinnamon Apple Energy Bars happened.
They are really delicious. Neither of us can stop eating them and I have been making them often to keep up with demand. This isn't a problem because they are so quick and easy and need no baking.
HOW TO MAKE ENERGY BARS
SEE MY VIDEO FOR A VISUAL GUIDE. FOR INGREDIENTS & FULL INSTRUCTIONS PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST
The whole process is super simple!
STEP 1
Process the pitted dates in a food processor until they ball up in little pieces. Depending on the size of your food processor you might need to do this in two batches.
I have this food processor (<<affiliate link) and love it. It holds 14 cups so is perfect for just about anything.
STEP 2
Put the dates and the other wet ingredients into a pan and melt together.
STEP 3
Mix the melty date mixture with the dry ingredients.
STEP 4
Squidge it all tightly into a pan
STEP 5
Wait for it to set up in the fridge before cutting into bars.
Easy peasy!
These No-Bake Cinnamon Apple Energy Bars are chewy and crispy all at the same time and the cinnamon apple flavour comes through really well. They almost taste like apple pie and that is always a good thing!
They are perfect for snacks, grab & go breakfasts, lunch boxes, or for eating just because they are there. Tell me I'm not the only one who does that?
For more no bake recipes, check out these great options:
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No-Bake Cinnamon Apple Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 200 g | or 1 packed cup/about 11 large medjool dates if your dates are not soft and a bit hard, soak them in water for 10-15 minutes first then drain well
- ½ cup | 125g cashew butter almond butter is ok as a sub or SunButter for a nut-free version
- 85 ml | ⅓ cup brown rice syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ cup | 4 tablespoons ground flax seed
- 80 g | ¾ cup chopped dried apple . You can find it with the dried fruit in the store and often in the bulk bins) that's about 1 packed cup of the dried rounds
- 55 g | 1½ cup puffed rice
- 125 g | 1 cup rolled oats or quick oats processed down until they are small pieces not as fine as flour and measured after processing. (Be sure to use gluten-free oats if necessary_
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line an 8 x 8 pan with baking parchment.
- Put the dates in a food processor and process until really finely chopped and starting to ball up. If you don't have a food processor you could chop them really finely instead.
- In a small pan, put the dates, cashew butter, brown rice syrup, vanilla, salt and cinnamon.
- Warm over a low to medium heat until everything is melting together. The dates wont melt but you should be able to smush them up and combine it all well.
- While that is happening add the flax, dried apple, puffed rice and oats to a large bowl. Stir well.
- Pour in the warm mixture from the pan. It won't be runny and will still be quite thick. Be sure to scrape the pan out well and not leave any behind.
- Stir everything together until all the dry ingredients are coated. It does take a bit of arm power. Be sure to scrape into the bottom of the bowl so you don't miss any dry bits.
- Spoon into the prepared tin and press down really well all over so it's flat and compacted.
- Put in the fridge to set for at least 3 - 4 hours.
- When set, cut into bars or squares.
NOTES
If you did, be a ☆ and let me know what you think by rating it and commenting below. Tag me on Instagram too. I am @avirtualvegan and my hashtag is #avirtualvegan ________________________________________________________
NUTRITION
Nutritional information is provided for convenience & as a courtesy. The data is a computer generated estimate so should be used as a guide only.
Marley M says
Where do i find brown rice syrup? Haven’t had any luck
A Virtual Vegan says
Most grocery stores sell it here. It's usually found in the baking aisle with the molasses etc. Health food stores tend to sell it too. If you can't find it locally Amazon have it.
kimmythevegan says
This is reminding me that I meant to get in the habit of making my own bars and started for awhile and then got stuck back in the trap of buying them.
I've also been meaning to get into cycling too!
I'm kind of a weirdo and am not a fan the of apple & cinnamon flavour combo, but your super seedy cookies have just been bookmarked and will be made quite soon since I already have all of the ingredients on hand =)
A Virtual Vegan says
It's so easy to pick them up at the store rather than make them. Taste wise though, homemade always win out. You'll love the super seedy power cookies!
Paula Wright says
Where do you find puffed rice. I can only find some that is heavily coated with sugar. I haven't seen the regular kind in years. Will Rice Krispies work just as well?
A Virtual Vegan says
All the stores here seem to sell puffed rice. I buy Nature's Path Organic Rice Puffs. They come in a big bag. They are the same as Rice Krispies but without the added sugar etc. Rice Krispies will do fine though. You could check Amazon too. They sell them there. ????
Sarah says
These look so yummy! I love making homemade bars too—so much better and cheaper!!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Sarah ????
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
These bars seem like the prefect afternoon snack! I'm a sucker for anything with Medjool dates.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Amy. Me too!
Cadry says
How delicious! I love apple with cinnamon. You're so right about the expense of the high quality pre-made bars. It adds up fast! This sounds like a very tasty alternative.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thanks Cadry. Apple and cinnamon is such an awesome combo!
Dianne says
I just bought a bunch of bars, and yes, they can be quite pricey! I love the idea of making my own, and this recipe looks great!
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Dianne ????
Jenn says
Yum!!I love homemade granola and granola bars! So much better and more flavor than store bought.
Good for your hubby. My hubby is an avid bike rider too! I have a bike just so I can ride with the kids to the park and stuff. Sometimes my son and I will go for 5 miles or so, but that's about it.
A Virtual Vegan says
5 miles is pretty good! Funnily enough, as hard as my husband has tried, my son isn't interested in riding so I've never had the need to go out with him!