Learn how to make homemade energy bars or balls with this simple recipe using simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
We love to make homemade energy bars at our house because they store well in the freezer so it’s easy to have a batch and have them on hand for a quick addition to a meal or snack.
Energy Bar Ingredients
The nice thing about energy bars is that they are easy to customize. In most bars, the basic ingredients are:
- dates or other sweetner
- oats
- nut butter
- nuts and seeds
I make most of my energy bars with dates, but some people prefer to use something like honey or maple syrup. This will change the final texture etc of the bar but both can taste equally delicious.
In addition, instead of oats you could use your favorite cereal like Chex or Cheerios. And for nut-free bars you could use sunflower seed butter, pepitas and hemp seeds.
Here are a few of our favorite flavor combos:
- Lemon Energy Balls
- Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Peanut Butter Hemp Energy Balls
- Mint Chocolate Energy Bites
- Almond Butter Protein Balls
You could also add protein powder if desired- like these No Bake Peanut Butter Protein Bars. But if you’re making them for kids or if protein powder is not your thing, here’s a list of 15 Kid-Friendly, Protein Rich Energy Balls (no protein powder required!)
How To Make Homemade Energy Bars
While some homemade energy bars can be made in a bowl, if you’re using dates or nuts/seeds you want chopped, a food processor is your best option! It will help chop everything evenly and create bars/balls that will stick together.
Here’s our process for my go-to energy ball recipe:
- Add whole nuts, seeds and oats to food processor and chop them up.
- Then add dates to the food processor and chop again.
- Add nut butter and process.
- Then add a little liquid (milk, water, etc) if needed to help dough form into a ball.
- Either roll into balls or press into a pan freeze for an hour and cut into bars.
Watch my 4 year old make homemade energy bars:
Want the exact recipe?
PrintHomemade Peanut Butter Energy Bar Recipe
Learn how to make homemade energy bars or balls with this simple recipe using simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
Ingredients
- 6–8 pitted Medjool dates (approx 1 cup)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup pepitas
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup ground flax
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 2–4 Tbsp milk (dairy or non-dairy) or water
- chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place dates, oats, pepitas, hemp and flax in a food processor and process until well chopped.
- Add peanut butter and process until mixed.
- Add 2 Tbps milk or water and process until the mixture starts to clump into a giant ball. Add more liquid 1 Tbsp at a time as needed.
- Add chocolate chips, pulse a few times to mix, then roll into balls or press into a pan, freeze for an hour and then slice into bars or squares.
- Store in the freezer!
FAQ’s for Homemade Energy Bars
Here are some frequently asked questions:
How do you get homemade energy bars to stick together?
Honey is the most commonly used ingredient for bars that are more like store-bought granola bars. Medjool dates are another option for helping bind ingredients together without added sugar.
How long do homemade energy bars last?
You can store homemade energy bars/balls in the freezer for up to six months. Just place in a freezer-safe storage bag and pull them out as needed.
What makes a good energy bar?
As a Registered Dietitian, when i’m serving my kids homemade energy bars as a snack, I want them to be a good mix of carbs, protein and fat. Too much added sugar will spike blood sugar and leave kids hungry again soon. Adding healthy fats and protein like nuts, seeds, nut butter and fiber from oats and dates help create a balanced snack that will boost their energy and have some staying power.
We know homemade isn’t always possible. If you’re looking for healthier store-bought options, here’s a list of the Best Healthy Store Bought Granola Bars for Kids.
What’s your favorite energy bar recipe?
Leave a Reply