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DIY energy bars are so hot right now! So why not make your own vegan energy bars? These healthy energy bars with prunes are so tasty.
Celebrate World Osteoporosis Day on October 20th by whipping up a batch of these healthy homemade energy bars. They’re some of the healthiest nutrition bars out there!
Love energy bars but want to save money by making your own? Or maybe you just want to control what you put in the bars—and in your body.
These gluten-free energy bars with prunes are vegan, gluten free, really low in added sugar and sodium—and they have a key ingredient that can help keep your bones healthy and strong!
Thanks to the folks at Sunsweet for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own, as always.
I don’t know about you, but I always have a snack bar or two hiding in my purse. I never want to be on the go, hangry, and without fuel! Why not make your own prune-and-nut bars? These vegan protein bars are so easy to make.
Ingredients
First, let me tell you what’s in these delicious protein bars. The healthy vegan energy bars are so easy to make!
Prunes
In addition to creating the perfect base for these gluten-free energy bars, the dried fruit supplies many bone-health-helping benefits. Each of these no-bake energy bars supplies about five prunes.
And this just happens to be the magic number of prunes that research suggests may help prevent bone loss when eaten daily.
Prunes for osteoporosis prevention? Absolutely! Prunes also boast many bone-health-helping vitamins and minerals—including potassium, magnesium, and vitamin K.
Potassium helps boost bone mass, which lowers the risk of bones breaking down. Both magnesium and vitamin K help your bones to mineralize and stay strong.
Almonds and almond butter
When you’re making vegan energy bars, one of the keys is having at least a source or two of good-for-you fat. That’s where almonds and nut butter, in this case almond butter, come in.
These foods supply monounsaturated fatty acids, which not only offer heart-health-helping benefits but also help keep you fuller for longer.
These ingredients also supply satiating protein and fiber. Each bar contains 5 grams of protein, making it a good source.
Hemp hearts
With all the talk these days about hemp, why not whip up a hemp protein bar? Hemp hearts, aka hemp seeds, also supply heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
By toasting the seeds in this recipe, you bring out the lovely nutty flavor of hemp hearts in these whole-food protein bars.
You can also add ground flax seeds and chia seeds to a protein bar recipe. Using these ingredients cuts out the need for adding any protein powder
Dark chocolate chips
I wanted to create protein bars with minimal added sugar. While dark chocolate chips contain the teensiest amount of added sugar, they also boast more of that terrific heart-healthy fat.
They’re the only source of added sugar in this recipe, and they’re delicious and melty!
You’ll see that these healthy energy bars are just the right kind of sweet and salty, with no need for any added brown rice syrup or sea salt. Each bar contains 19 grams of sugar, but most of this is naturally occurring sugar.
Rolled oats
When making gluten-free energy bars, you want to have a good amount of protein and fiber. Each of these vegan energy bars is a good source of protein and fiber! The rolled oats boast both of these nutrients.
Step-by-step instructions
Making these healthy energy bars is so easy! First, preheat oven to 450° Fahrenheit. Then place hemp hearts on a nonstick cookie sheet. Toast 2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.
Next, in a food processor, process oats and salt until ground, about 20 to 30 seconds. Place in small bowl, and set aside.
Process prunes until smooth, about 30 seconds. Mix in oat-and-salt mixture, ¼ cup almonds, 3 Tablespoons hemp hearts, almond butter, and chocolate chips until well combined.
Then comes the fun part! Place mixture in silicone bar mold (or a 9”-by-9” cake pan lined with parchment paper).
Pat down with clean, dry hands. Top with remaining almonds and hemp hearts, and pat down again. Place in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes.
So there you have it! These no-bake protein bars are vegan, gluten free, and are filled with nourishing, bone-health-helping ingredients. They’re also incredibly low in added sugar and sodium.
Recipe FAQ
How do I store energy bars?
The healthy energy granola bars will stay good covered in your fridge for a few days, or you can individually wrap and freeze them.
What if I don’t have any almond butter?
If you don’t have any almond butter on hand, peanut butter also works to make these energy bars.
How do I toast hemp seeds?
Toasting hemp seeds is so easy! First, preheat oven to 450° Fahrenheit. Then place hemp hearts on a nonstick cookie sheet. Toast for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from the oven, and set aside to cool.
Are healthy energy bars gluten free?
Yes, they are! You just need to make sure you use gluten-free oats. This is because oats can be cross contaminated when they’re grown near wheat or if they’re processed in the same facility as wheat.
So to be on the same side, make sure the oats you purchase have a gluten-free certification.
More healthy prune recipes
And hey, if you love prunes as much as I do, also cook up these healthy prune recipes:
- Mediterranean Vegetable Salad
- Citrus Salad with Prunes
- Prune Jam
- Avocado Chocolate Brownies
- Vegan Chocolate Prune Smoothie
Now, are you ready to make these low-sugar energy bars with prunes? Go for it! Pro tip: These healthy energy bars freeze really well!
Sources
- The Effect of Two Doses of Dried Plum on Bone Density and Bone Biomarkers in Osteopenic Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial, Osteoporosis International
Healthy Vegan Energy Bars with Prunes
DIY energy bars are so hot right now! So why not make your own vegan energy bars? These healthy energy bars with prunes are so tasty. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 minsCook Time 5 minsTotal Time 15 mins Course Breakfast, SnackCuisine American Servings 12 barsCalories 232 kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup shelled hemp hearts, divided
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups (one 16-ounce container) Sunsweet Pitted Amaz!n Prunes
- ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons dry-roasted unsalted almonds, chopped, divided
- ¼ cup natural almond butter
- ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450° Fahrenheit.
- Place hemp hearts on a nonstick cookie sheet. Toast 2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.
- In a food processor, process oats and salt until ground, about 20 to 30 seconds. Place in small bowl, and set aside. Process prunes until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Mix in oat-and-salt mixture, ¼ cup almonds, 3 Tablespoons hemp hearts, almond butter, and chocolate chips until well combined.
- Place in silicone bar mold (or a 9”-by-9” cake pan lined with parchment paper). Pat down with clean, dry hands.
- Top with remaining almonds and hemp hearts, and pat down again.
- Place in fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 232kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 6gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 438mgFiber: 5gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 362IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 2mg Keyword Energy bar, Granola bar, Prunes Did you make this recipe?Mention @amydgorin and tag #plantbasedwithamy
I’d love to hear from you! Let me know how you enjoy this prune bars recipe that’s no bake. They’re really the healthiest energy bars What other healthy prune recipes do you love?