Create Your Own Homemade Raw Energy Bars in 3 Steps!

Love the taste and short ingredient list of a Lärabar, but looking for a cheaper homemade alternative? You’re in luck! With just a few simple ingredients, a food processor, and a dose of creativity, here’s a how-to guide on creating your own raw energy bites/bars/balls at home, no fancy equipment or special kitchen tools required.

From cocoa powder to lemon extract to ground ginger, the mix-and-match flavor combinations are endless! You’ll be whipping up batches of your own raw energy bars before you know it.

1. Pick Your Base

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For most energy bites, a 1/1 ratio of nuts/seeds to dried fruit is a great starting point, and you can double or triple recipes depending on the size of your blender or food processor. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Nuts: Almonds, cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. Nuts and seeds are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats, and may help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

Dried Fruit: Dates (make sure they are pitted), apricots, figs, cherries, and cranberries. Dried fruit is packed with fiber and antioxidants, and when consumed in moderation, is an excellent way to add sweetness to your snacks without using refined sugar. Just make sure to avoid sulfur dioxide, a preservative frequently added to certain brands of dried fruit.

In addition to the nuts/seeds and fruit, you could also add oats to the mix for some extra fiber, or even throw in a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder. These Raw Superfood Energy Protein Bars demonstrate how protein powder can be a valuable addition. If the mixture ends up being too dry, you can toss in a bit of non-dairy milk or water to get things moving. Usually, 1 cup each of nuts/seeds and dried fruit makes approximately 10-15 energy bites about the size of a golf ball, so use this as a base measurement going forward.

2. Pick Your Add-Ins

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Here’s where your creativity can shine! The base, in and of itself, makes for a delicious treat. But, picking different add-ins can take these bars/bites to a whole new level. Below are a few different categories to get started with.

• Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, cocoa powder, etc. Most herbs and spices have powerful antioxidants and antibacterial properties. They also contain certain vital vitamins and minerals. Tossing a small amount (fresh or dried) into your energy bites will add not only flavor but also beneficial nutrients. Check out these Chamomile Ginger Lemon Raw Energy Bars for an example of how spices can be used to heighten the quality of your bars.
• Extracts: Vanilla, peppermint, lemon, mint, etc. Add a small amount (usually no more than 1 to 2 teaspoons per batch depending on the extract in question) of these extracts. They can be found in most grocery stores, and contribute a significant amount of flavor to these raw energy bites. Just be aware of the difference between “pure extracts” and “flavorings,”. Flavorings usually contain additives and/or corn syrup. These Raw Coconut Matcha Energy Bars use vanilla extract to ramp up the flavor.
• Miscellaneous: This could include shredded coconut, chia seeds, flaxseed, a splash of lemon or orange juice, pureed pumpkin, chocolate chips, or anything else your heart desires. There are no “rules” when it comes to flavor combinations, and if you think it might taste good, toss it in!

3. Mix and Match!

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Now that you have a starter guide, it’s your turn to mix-and-match these flavor combinations. Get ready to find the recipe that suits you best! Here are some ideas to get you started on your vegan raw-bar-making journey!

1. Cranberry Lemon Ginger: Cashews + Almonds + Dried Cranberries + Oats + Ground Ginger + Lemon Extract.
2. Chocolate Mint Coconut: Almonds + Sunflower Seeds + Dates + Peppermint Extract + Cocoa Powder + Shredded Coconut.
3. Spiced Fig Walnut: Walnuts + Figs + Apricots + Vanilla Extract + Ground Cinnamon.
4. Orange Vanilla: Cashews + Dates + Vanilla Extract + Orange Juice + Ground Cloves.

For more inspiration, check out 25 Energy-Packed Snack Balls That Will Jump-Start Your Day, or read about how to Nourish Your Body and Satisfy Your Munchies With These 15 Raw Vegan Snacks.

Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App, which is available for Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly, and immune-boosting recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. 

Featured Image: Marco Verch/Flickr