Apricot Chia Homemade Energy Bars Recipe - Easy Snack Idea! (2024)

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Jun 18, 2019 Jun 21, 2023

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When you need a road trip or after-school snack for kids and adults, you can’t go wrong with homemade energy bars. These Apricot Chia Bars are sweet, chewy, and have only six ingredients. Plus this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, peanut- and tree nut-free making them the perfect allergy-safe and healthy no-bake snacks to pack in a lunch box for school or camp.

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Table of Contents

  • The Best Homemade Energy Bars
  • Energy Bar Ingredients
  • How to Make Homemade Energy Bars
  • Storing Apricot Chia Bars
  • Tips for Success
  • More energy bar recipes
  • Shop the Recipe
  • Get the Recipe

The Best Homemade Energy Bars

Fast, easy, and healthy, snack bars are portable and packable. It’s also great to keep them in the fridge for when the afternoon hunger pangs start. But what are the keys to perfect homemade energy bars?

Keep the ingredient list short, simple, and nutrient dense. Make them easy to prepare and relatively mess-free to grab on the go. And, if course, they have to be delicious!

These Apricot Chia Energy Bars tick all of those boxes. They are sweet and tangy with just a hint of crunch. You just have to grab the six ingredients, your food processor, and a pan. And all you have to do is pulse everything together, press it into a pan, chill, and cut into squares.

In no time you’ll be ready to calm the kiddos, whether you toss them into the back seat during a road trip or when they run in the house after school saying they are starving!

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Energy Bar Ingredients

Yes, you only need 6 ingredients to make these easy no-bake bars! Be sure to read the labels for cross-contamination risks so that you can ensure they are gluten free, if needed. And you can also make them without nuts or dairy, too!

  • Dried dates – provide the sweetness and sticky factor to keep the bars together.
  • Dried apricots – the tangy flavor keeps these sweet bars from being too sweet.
  • Pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds) – add crunch and protein but keep these bars peanut-free and nut-free.
  • Cinnamon – adds a hint of warm spice.
  • Chia seeds – most of the time you see chia in overnight oats like Hummingbird Cake Overnight Oatsor smoothies or chia pudding where it swells up and gets gel-ish, but here it’s like little bits of crunch. Plus, superfoods for the win!
  • White chocolate chips – provide a creamy bit to balance the fruit, but if you don’t want the added sugar (though it is only a bit), you could leave them out.
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How to Make Homemade Energy Bars

These healthy snack bars come together in no time.

Make the mixture: Combine the dried fruit, cinnamon, and chia seeds in a food processor and pulse until it forms almost a thick paste, but where you can still see individual bits of each of the separate ingredients. You might need to stop the processor a few times to scrape it down with a spatula.

Add the seeds and chips: Add the pepitas and pulse a few times tp incorporate them, followed by the white chocolate. Only pulled a couple of times to mix it in so the chocolate doesn’t melt.

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Press into the pan. Transfer the mixture to a square pan lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Press it down firmly.

Cool and cut. Refrigerate until firm before cutting into squares.

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Storing Apricot Chia Bars

Transfer your bars to a container with a lid and seal them well. They will keep at room temperature for several days, and a couple of weeks in the refrigerator. You can even individually wrap them or place them in plastic baggies and freeze them for up to two months. Pull out as many as you need the night before, or pop a frozen bar into a lunchbox – it’ll thaw by lunchtime!

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Tips for Success

  • Get the kids involved. They are so quick and easy that the kids can definitely help you make them. They can measure out the ingredients and dump them into the food processor – keep their fingers away when you are pulsing it. Then let the kids press it into the pan.
  • Don’t over-process. You want to leave some texture, which is why I like to add the pumpkin seeds after getting the dried fruit worked into apaste. Also, you don’t want to run the food processor too long after adding the chocolate because the warmth it generates will melt it.
  • Line the pan. You’ll need a layer of wax or parchment paper or even plastic wrap to be able to lift the bars out of the pan.
  • Try the double pan trick. One thing I do every time is to use another pan of the same size and place it on top to press the mixture tightly into the pan. That packs it in tightly and gives it a nice, even surface.
  • Make variations. You can use roughly the same ratio of dried fruits, seeds, and mix-ins to make all kinds of homemade energy bars with your favorite flavor combinations.

More energy bar recipes

  • Mango Coconut Energy Bars bring in the tropical flavors.
  • Cherry Lime Energy Bars are sweet and tangy.
  • Cherry Chocolate Energy Bars combine two amazing flavors into one snack bar.
  • Caramel Banana Energy Bars taste totally ooey gooey, but are still good for you.
  • Banana Nut Energy Bars are a no-bake way to enjoy the flavor of banana bread.
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Shop the Recipe

Brianne Recommends

FOOD PROCESSOR: I use the Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap Food Processor.

MINI SPATULAS: These are my favorite for getting into nooks and crannies.

SQUARE PANS: Remember, I like to have two so I can use one to press down the bars that are in the other one.

PARCHMENT PAPER: Don’t forget to line your pan so you can get the bars out easily.

    Apricot Chia Homemade Energy Bars Recipe - Easy Snack Idea! (17)

    4.8 from 31 votes

    No-Bake Apricot Chia Energy Bars

    It only takes minutes to make this sweet and chewy snack with just a bit of crunch. Perfectly portable, plus they are gluten free, vegan, and nut-free.

    Prep: 10 minutes mins

    Cook: 30 minutes mins

    Chilling Time 30 minutes mins

    Total: 40 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    • Line a 8×8 or 9×9 square pan with wax or paper.

    • Place dates, apricots, chia seeds and cinnamon in a food processor, and process until the mixture forms a large mass.

    • Break up slightly with a spatula, add pepitas to the mixture in the food processor, and pulse until there are small chunks of pepitas.

    • Break up the mixture one more time, add white chocolate chips and pulse a few times to slightly break and distribute the chips.

    • Press the mixture into the prepared pan. You can cover the top with more paper and press an equal sized pan to roll the top with a glass to flatten completely.

    • Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes, then slice into bars or squares.

    Nutrition Facts

    No-Bake Apricot Chia Energy Bars

    Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

    Calories 84Calories from Fat 27

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 3g5%

    Sodium 3mg0%

    Potassium 202mg6%

    Carbohydrates 14g5%

    Fiber 1g4%

    Sugar 11g12%

    Protein 2g4%

    Vitamin A 305IU6%

    Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

    Calcium 25mg3%

    Iron 0.8mg4%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Snack

    Cuisine: American

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    Did you make this?

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    Categories:

    • Gluten Free
    • Snacks
    • Sweet
    Apricot Chia Homemade Energy Bars Recipe - Easy Snack Idea! (2024)

    FAQs

    Are chia seed bars good for you? ›

    Ounce for ounce chia has more protein than an egg, more omega-3s than salmon, more fiber than flax, more calcium than milk, and more magnesium than broccoli. Chia seeds absorb up to 10x their weight in water so you only need 100 calories to feel full. It's mini but mighty!

    What is the best way to eat chia seeds? ›

    To help get your daily quota of chia, whirl them into your daily smoothie or sprinkle them on your morning bowl of oatmeal (or batch of overnight oats). Chia seeds can also be used to thicken salad dressings and as a crust for fish or tofu.

    Can you put chia seeds in coffee? ›

    Chia seeds will work their thickening magic on your coffee too, so it will be more richly textured than normal. And similar to how boba can change up the consistency of a normally smooth caffeinated beverage, these seeds will bring an unexpectedly delicious pop to your cup.

    How to eat chia seeds with milk? ›

    Simply combine chia seeds with your choice of milk (dairy or plant-based), add a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight. The result is a creamy, nutrient-dense pudding that can be topped with fruits, nuts, or spices for added flavor and health benefits.

    What happens to your body when you eat chia seeds everyday? ›

    Chia seeds contain quercetin, an antioxidant that can reduce your risk of several health conditions, including heart disease. The seeds are also high in fiber, which can help to lower high blood pressure and, in turn, lower your odds of getting heart disease.

    Is there a downside to chia seeds? ›

    Though they're safe for most people, chia seeds may cause an increased risk of choking. So make sure you consume them carefully, especially if you have difficulty swallowing. This increased risk is because dry chia seeds swell up and absorb about 10–12 times their weight in liquid when they are exposed to water (13).

    What not to mix with chia seeds? ›

    Omega-3 fatty acids: Chia seeds contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. It is known that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, it is advised to avoid taking chia seeds with foods or supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

    Can chia seeds reduce belly fat? ›

    Both Chia seeds and Ginger have been shown in some studies to help suppress appetite. Feeling fuller for longer may lead to reduced calorie intake, which can contribute to weight loss, including fat loss in the belly area.

    Is it better to eat chia seeds in the morning or at night? ›

    Consuming chia seeds with water in the morning helps in giving your digestive system a boost and improves bowel movement. Healthy digestion is a prerequisite to weight loss. The best time to eat chia seeds is when you wake up. Consumption of chia seeds aids in a feeling of fullness and thus a reduced calorie intake.

    How to prepare chia seeds for flat tummy? ›

    One of the simplest ways to include chia seeds in your diet is to add them to water. To make chia water, soak 1/4 cup (40 grams) of chia seeds in 4 cups (1 liter) of water for 20–30 minutes. To give your drink some flavor, you can add chopped fruit or squeeze in a lemon, lime, or orange.

    Do chia seeds give energy? ›

    Chia seeds contain all nine essential amino acids. The protein in chia seeds can help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide a steady source of energy.

    What happens if you don't soak chia seeds before eating? ›

    Eating them dry can give a crunchy feeling and they're great in smoothies or baking. Just remember to drink enough water when you eat them dry so they don't soak up water in your stomach, which might make you feel thirsty. So, soaking chia seeds is good, but it's not compulsory. You can enjoy them dry too.

    Are chia seeds good for the kidneys and liver? ›

    Because flax seeds and chia seeds are low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, they are healthy for all the following kidney conditions and treatments: CKD/Transplant. Hemodialysis (3 times/week) Daily Home and Nocturnal Hemodialysis/Peritoneal Dialysis.

    How to eat chia seeds for hair growth? ›

    Soak 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds in water or plant-based milk for 15-20 minutes. The seeds will expand and form a gel-like texture. Add this to smoothies, yoghurt, oatmeal, or even soups for a nutritional boost. Grind chia seeds into a flour-like consistency.

    Can I mix chia seeds with yogurt? ›

    For raw chia seeds, you can soak chia seeds with warm water first and then use them or sprinkle a spoonful of chia seeds directly into yogurt, wait 15-20 minutes for the chia seeds to bloom and then use. Can be used with many other fruits such as watermelon, strawberry, mango, ... to make the dish more attractive.

    Does chia seeds really reduce belly fat? ›

    The fibre content in them is so high that one small bowl of chia seeds will be enough for your body to maintain a good gut health and digestive health. Moreover, chia seeds barely contain any calories which makes it ideal for people who are trying so hard to lose belly fat or lose weight in general.

    Are chia seeds a healthy snack? ›

    Chia seeds are tiny but mighty — and extremely nutritious. Just 1 ounce (28.35 grams) contains 10 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and 138 calories. They're a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and some minerals essential for bone health, including calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

    Are chia seeds a good fat or bad fat? ›

    One serving of dried chia seeds is about 2.5 tablespoons. This has 140 calories, 5 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbohydrate and 9 grams of fat, of which 8 grams are heart-healthy fats.

    Does chia seeds detox your body? ›

    Powerful nutritional supplements, chia seeds are well-known for their ability to cleanse the body. They have a high dietary fiber content, which aids in controlling digestion and wards against constipation. Furthermore, chia seeds help the body eliminate toxins and extra waste by absorbing them in the digestive system.

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