Dried Fruit Bars Recipe: Healthy Homemade Energy Bars

Dried Fruit Bars (Dates, Apricots, Nuts, & Honey) Recipe

Ingredients:

• 20 - 25 dried dates (half of a 10 oz. canister)
  
• 20 dehydrated apricots (or store bought)
  
• 4 oz assorted salted nuts
• honey to combine (between 1-2 fluid oz)

Instructions:

When all your ingredients are mixed together, bake the fruit bars in an oven:

💡 Outside the United States? Use my quick Fahrenheit-to-Celsius converter to find the equivalent Celsius temperature.

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Prepare your fruit and nut mixture by chopping the dates and apricots into similar-sized pieces.
3. Pulse the assorted nuts in a food processor to break them up a bit (or leave whole).
4. Place in a glass bowl, and add honey until they combine well.
5. Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper and spread the mix evenly on top.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the fruit mixture is dry to the touch, and holds together when pressed.
7. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your mixture.
8. Once done, remove the pan from the oven, let the dried fruit bars cool down to room temperature.
9. Cut into bars and store. And eat.
   

Keep a close eye on your bars while they bake in the oven to prevent them from burning!

After letting them cool, store the dried fruit bars in an airtight container for a longer shelf life. Your taste buds will thank you for this delicious snack!

NOTE: My bars didn't stiffen up as much as I would like (and that's why it's the number 1 FAQ!) I put the cooled-down pan "as is" in the freezer for an hour. That helped!

I then turned the pan upside down onto a cutting board and cut the bars into strips with a paring knife and then vacuum sealed them individually.

Compare Vacuum Sealers, Bags, and Rolls

The vacuum sealers and supplies below can help protect properly stored food from exposure to air and moisture. Compare the machine features, bag sizes, and roll options to find what works best for the foods you plan to seal.

Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer Machine

The Bonsenkitchen Vacuum Sealer features a handle-locking design and built-in bag cutter. It also comes with two bag rolls and 100 vacuum bags, giving you the basic supplies needed to start vacuum sealing right away.

FoodSaver 4800 Series

The FoodSaver 4800 Series combines automatic bag vacuum sealing with a built-in handheld sealer for compatible containers and zipper bags. It also has a removable drip tray for easier cleaning, making it a versatile option for everyday food storage and bulk purchases.

FoodSaver 8" x 20' rolls, 6-pk

These continuous FoodSaver GameSaver rolls let you cut each bag to the length you need. Cut a section from the roll, seal one end, add the food, and then vacuum-seal the open end.

• Each roll measures 8 inches × 20 feet
• Six rolls per package
• BPA-free multilayer material
• Useful for creating custom-length bags

FoodSaver 1-Quart Food Storage Sealer bags

These precut 1-quart FoodSaver bags eliminate the need to measure and cut sections from a roll. Fill the bag while leaving enough empty space at the top, then place the open end in the vacuum channel and seal it.

• Precut 1-quart bags
• 44 bags per package
• BPA-free multilayer material
• Designed for refrigerator and freezer storage
• Convenient for portioning bulk purchases and leftovers

FoodSaver Pint-size Food Storage Sealer bags

These precut pint-size FoodSaver bags are useful when you want to seal smaller portions without wasting a larger bag. Leave enough empty space at the top so the open edge can lie flat inside the vacuum channel.

• Precut 1-pint bags
• 28 bags per package
• BPA-free multilayer material
• Designed for refrigerator and freezer storage
• Convenient for snacks, individual portions, and small amounts of dried food

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3 Irresistible Fruit & Nut Bar Flavor Combos

Tropical Delight

• Dried mango
• Dried pineapple
• Dried coconut flakes
• Brazil nuts or macadamia nuts

This combination offers a burst of tropical flavors. The sweetness of mango and pineapple is balanced by the nutty, buttery taste of Brazil nuts or macadamia nuts, while the coconut flakes add a nice texture and subtle sweetness.

Berry Bliss

• Dried cranberries
• Dried blueberries
• Dried goji berries
• Almonds or pecans

This berry-filled bar is packed with antioxidants. The tartness of cranberries contrasts nicely with the mild sweetness of blueberries and the slight tanginess of goji berries. Almonds or pecans provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that complements the berries.

Orchard Harvest

• Dried apples
• Dried apricots
• Dried figs
• Walnuts or pistachios

This fruity combination is reminiscent of a walk through an orchard! The chewy sweetness of dried apples and apricots is balanced by the rich, honeyed taste of dried figs. Walnuts or pistachios add a nice crunch and a slightly bitter note that keeps the bar from being overly sweet.

Mix and match dried fruits and nuts based on your personal preferences and what's available to you in the store. Other popular ingredients include dried cherries, raisins, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

You can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for extra flavor depth.

Boost Texture & Binding: Use Coconut Oil or Almond Butter

Best Coconut Oil - Nature’s Way MCT Oil

• Coconut oil adds firmness and a mild tropical flavor.
• Almond butter (see how to make it, below) enhances chewiness and gives a rich, nutty taste.
• Mix both for ultimate texture control!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—this does not affect the price you pay. Read full disclosure.

DIY Almond Butter: Easy & Fresh!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw almonds (unsalted, unroasted)

Instructions:

1. Optional: Roast almonds at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, then cool.
2. Blend in a food processor – First, it turns to meal, then a thick paste, then creamy butter (10-20 mins total).
3. Scrape sides down as needed.
4. For extra smoothness, add a drizzle of coconut or avocado oil.
5. Store in a jar & refrigerate – Lasts for weeks!

💡 Bonus: Add honey or vanilla for a natural flavor twist!

Check out: Love and Lemons Almond Butter Recipe for more tips!

Making your own almond butter allows you to control the ingredients and texture, plus it can be more economical than buying it from the store. It's a fun and satisfying (but somewhat noisy) kitchen project!

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Test Your Food-Dehydrating
Know-How

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

Play “Save the Harvest”

Test Your Food-Dehydrating
Know-How

Choose a food, make the right preparation, drying, and storage decisions—and see how many stars you can earn!

Play “Save the Harvest”