If you like dried apricots you’ll love these apricot honey larabars! They are naturally sweetened with raw honey and packed with fiber. The oats give a chewy consistency to the bars and the sunflower seeds and walnuts add a crunchy texture. You can use regular oats or gluten-free or pack on the protein and substitute the oats with leftover cooked quinoa (which I did the second time I made these).
I’m sure I don’t need to reiterate how easy these are to make and of course the fact that they are delicious! I make these (among many other energy bar recipes!) often so that we always have a quick on-the-go treat for the family.
(Makes about 6 2 x 3 inch bars)
1 cup (packed) dried apricots
1 1/4 cup walnuts, unsalted
1 tbsp. extra-virgin coconut oil, unmelted
1/4 cup organic raw honey (if crystallized melt for 20-30 seconds in the microwave)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup gluten-free oats (or cooked quinoa)
1 tbsp. ground flax seed
zest of 1/2 orange or lemon zest
1/8 tsp. salt
*Note: It is recommended that children under 1 year do not consume honey. If choosing to make these for younger children you can substitute the honey with 2-4 tablespoons (depends on desired consistency) of applesauce.
Place all ingredients into a large food processor and blend until well combined. (Remember to check for large pieces of nuts or apricots!)
These should be a little stickier than the previously posted energy bars but should still come together easily to form bars.
If they are too soft for your liking simply add more nuts to give a crunchier texture or add more oats if they are too moist.
Flatten into a biscotti pan or pan of choice. (I usually make my bars about 1 1/2 inches thick.)
Place in the fridge to harden for at least 2-3 hours.
If doubling the recipe keep some in the fridge and store some in the freezer for a later date. I actually love eating these right from the freezer with a warm cup of chai tea 😉
These look so yummy! And I love that they are sweetened with honey. I always love seeing what you are cooking up!
Thanks Monica…you HAVE to try one of these energy bar recipes! They are seriously SO easy and delicious!
I recognized the name…love that website! Thanks for visiting and hope you stop by again! I’m checking out the link now…;-)
Found this through thekitchn- looks delish! I’m always looking for new GF treats. You may like this recipe I just made– http://lifewithlampnsofa.com/2013/04/13/strawberry-chocolate-icebox-nibbles-gf-vegan-10-mins-to-make/