Heyy guys! It’s me Shahena, as we continue through Ramadan, I’m always on the lookout for quick, nutritious, easy to make snacks to enjoy during Iftar. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s become a real lifesaver in our household: Homemade Energy Bars. Yaaaas!
These bars are not only packed with wholesome ingredients like dates, nuts, oats, and honey but also bursting with natural sweetness and energy boooooosting goodness…perfect for giving you a little pick me up after a long day of fasting. Plus, they’re no bake so they’re super simple to make, and the kids can get involved too (mine love pressing the mixture into the tray!).
So, let’s get mixing!
Homemade Energy Bars
Makes: 12 bars
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates (about 150g)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews – whatever you like!)
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbsp nut butter (peanut, almond, or cashew butter all work well)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Optional extras:
- 2 tbsp chia seeds or flaxseeds
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
- A handful of dark chocolate chips or dried fruit
Method
- Prepare the dates: If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to soften them up. Drain well before using.
- Blitz the nuts: In a food processor, pulse the mixed nuts until they’re roughly chopped. You want some texture, so don’t overdo it!
- Combine the ingredients: Add the dates, oats, honey, nut butter, vanilla extract, and salt to the food processor. Blitz until everything comes together into a sticky dough. If you’re using any optional extras like chia seeds or chocolate chips, stir them in by hand at this stage.
- Press into a tray: Line a small baking tray or dish with parchment paper. Transfer the mixture to the tray and press it down firmly with your hands or the back of a spoon. You want it to be nice and compact so the bars hold their shape.
- Chill and set: Pop the tray in the fridge for at least 1 hour to let the mixture set.
- Slice and serve: Once set, remove the mixture from the tray and cut it into bars or squares. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week (if they last that long!).
Tips from me!
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can chop the dates and nuts by hand and mix everything together in a bowl. It might take a bit more elbow grease, but it’ll still work!
- These bars are incredibly versatile. Feel free to swap out the nuts for seeds or add your favourite dried fruits for extra flavour.
- They’re perfect for packing into lunchboxes or taking with you on the go – a great little energy boost for busy days.
A simple…healthy and utterly delicious recipe for Homemade Energy Bars that’s perfect for Iftar. It’s a snack that’s as satisfying as it is nutritious, and it’s always a hit with my family (even the little ones!).
I hope you give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as we do. Let me know how it turns out in the comments below….I’d love to hear your thoughts! Wishing you all a blessed Ramadan filled with love, joy, and plenty of delicious meals and snacks.
Until next time,
Shahena x