Many parents lack the time and energy to prepare healthy snacks and meals for the family, which causes us to rely heavily on convenience foods, which aren’t usually the healthiest of options to provide for our family. Healthy snacks provide the family with a nutritional boost and energy to get through the day. As a mother of two, I lead a busy, on-the-go lifestyle – as many parents do! Quick, healthy snacks are essential to our daily nutritional needs.
Energy bars are an ideal, handy snack for the family – whether you’re on the go running errands, picking the kids up from school or sports activities, or simply need a pre or post workout pick-me-up. Energy bars may seem like an ideal source of fuel in a convenient package however, it’s important to read the labels since many store-bought energy bars contain empty calories, excess sugar, preservatives and artificial sweeteners. Once you learn how to make homemade energy bars, you’ll never go back to store-bought. Freeze your homemade creations for a later date, or pack the freshly made bars into a plastic bag or container for a portable breakfast or mid-morning snack for the kids – or yourself! Learn how to make homemade energy bars with this simple infographic:
Try some of these healthy energy bar recipes:
Pumpkin Coconut Larabars
Chocolate Coconut Larabars
Apricot Honey Larabars
Cherry Pie Larabars
Lemon Coconut Larabars
Dried Fruit and Nut Bars
Chocolate Almond Larabars
This isn’t something I would have thought of making at home but they sound delicious! Especially the cherry pie one. Yum.
This is an awesome idea. I never thought of making energy bars before. My kids love energy bars and this will be a great treat for them. Thanks for sharing the recipes.
They’re a healthy alternative to cookies and other snacks!
i have never thought to make these before. but now i kinda want to try, what a great idea.
Most people have baked goods, such as cookies as snacks in their pantry…these are my staple snack!
This sounds delicious. I am new to making my own energy bars. I was wondering what is agave nectar? Is that tropical?
Agave nectar is a liquid sweetener similar to brown rice syrup. It’s gotten a bad rep as of late, but then again everything else has too, lol! I mostly use organic agave or brown rice syrup in these recipes. I started using agave a few years ago because I am hypoglycaemic and (supposedly-because you never REALLY know) it has a low glycemic index (which is better than refined sugar). In my baking recipes I often use palm or coconut sugar!
I have not tried to make my own energy bars before. I will have to try to make some this weekend. They would be great for my teenagers.
Yes, they would! They’re a great on-the-go snack…perfect for teenagers (who probably opt for more unhealthy snacks!).
I love making energy bars. My favorites are the raw ones because they are moist and yummy like cake.
…And they are easy and quick to make!!!
Making your own energy bar is a great idea because you get to pick on what ingredients goes in there. Thanks for sharing how to make it.
Exactly! You can buy as ‘healthy’ and ‘organic’ as you want but you still don’t know what’s in there!
These sound great!!! My hubby always buys energy bats, maybe I’ll make him some 😉
I’m thinking he’ll prefer the homemade ones 😉
This is perfect. My son loves energy bars. I have to make some for his next camping trip.
That is so cool. Never thought you could actually make it at home. Good job!
Thanks!! You should try them!
I’ve not thought to make them at home. My husband takes one to work each day, so this would be great for him.
It would save you a ton of money…and you know what’s going in them when you make them!
These sound great. I am not much of one for energy bars, but these sound like they would be really good. Since they are so easy to make I will try it and let you know what I think. Thanks for the recipe.
I think store-bought energy bars have a very ‘fake’ flavour because they have so many additives. Also, I find the protein ones to have a really weird, bitter aftertaste. I sometimes add hemp protein and it goes undetected. Also, once you taste REAL bars with REAL ingredients you might change your mind about energy bars 😉
This is so awesome. I never even thought about making energy bars before. Thanks so much for sharing how to. I will have to make these.
I started making them a few years ago…and have not stopped! I make a batch at least 2-3 times a month!
I had no idea it was so easy to make energy bars! I definitely need to make these, thank you for sharing
You can also make the energy bars into balls…they keep together a little better and are literally two-bites!
Wow I can make this really fantastic!! I’ll try this at home thanks you for wonderful homemade recipe.
I had NO IDEA it was so easy to make homemade energy bars!! Thank you so much for sharing this! I need to make these!
It is SO easy…just blend them all in a food processor and pop in the fridge!
Wow! I never really thought about making my own energy bars. This is a brilliant idea and so much easier because sometimes the bars we buy is horrible and expensive. I love that I have the option of choosing my own ingredients. Thank you for sharing!
Energy bars are so perfect right before you hit the gym, you need that to go at it 100%!
I have one before I go to the gym, EVERY time I go! They give me just the right amount of energy yet they’re not too filling and heavy!
Cherries and cranberries for me, please! I absolutely love
infusing fruits in my energy bars!
I love making energy bars with my children as they really are easy to make and easy to make to suit each person’s personal taste. That’s a huge bonus vs. throwing money away on box filler junk.
I agree!! I just crumble them up for the kids (my daughter’s only two). They go to town on them!! lol!
Energy bars with cherries or cranberries sound great. I’ve never thought to make my own!
You should try the cherry pie ones!!
This is a great post, Lisa! I love energy bars. I just started my energy bars addiction a few weeks ago. Have been making a batch every week to snack at work and any pretty much any time. 😀 Now with your handy chart, I can try new energy bars variety! My favourite at this moment is anything containing natural almond butter! YUM (in Cap!)!
You have to try the lemon coconut ones! They are my fave!!!
You got me hooked on coconut flakes! I see many of your recipes have coconut flakes, so I tried adding them in my oatmeal walnut energy bites last week. It was so good! Will print out the lemon coconut ones tomorrow to try out this weekend.
I’m going to have to try and make these! What a great idea!
Thanks for this! I’ll have to try making one of these. I love to make all kinds of bars and the energy bars could really come in handy.
These are probably the easiest because they are raw, which means no cooking time!
This is so great- my husband was only talking about this last week! I’m definitely going to make some and see how he likes them, thank you!
What a coincidence! You were meant to see this post, lol!
I am definitely going to try to make my own energy bar after seeing low easy it really is. I have most of the ingredients in my apartment right now.
Most of us do…we just never think of making them! It’s so much more convenient to buy them, right? Actually, I just finished making a batch of my pumpkin coconut!
Yum I think I would LOVE the lemon or chocolate. Not a huge fan of coconut but I want to start making my own bars so I know what’s in them!
I have to say, I’m a huge fan of chocolate but the lemon coconut are my all-time faves! Such a fresh flavour but still decadent!
one word- yummmyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!! i need to be a close neighbour;)
Terri, I promise if we start shipping our homemade energy bars you’ll be the first to know 😉
Thanks so much, I am so excited!!!
I am pining this recipe because I think it sounds Fabulous and I would not mind feeding it to my family. I am thinking maple syrup coconut flakes raisins and oatmeal. Kind of like a healthy oatmeal cookie
Ooh, that sounds tasty!! It’s so fun to come up with different creations!
I love making my own energy bars. After reading the label on the “healthy” bars at the store, I knew I’d never eat one of those again. Customizing your flavors is always fun.
My motto is if I can’t pronounce it, then I shouldn’t eat it!
I LOVE your flavor combos chart! I’ve never tried…and that’s why I come here for inspiration!
Thanks!! I aim to inspire 😉
Nice.. i need recipes like this to get me through the day. I have gone on a health binge and need as much energy as i can get to get my workouts out.
These are packed with protein and good fats so they’re sure to give you the energy you need!
Do I want to know how to make homemade energy bars? Ummmm ABSOLUTELY! I am going to print this out for my father. He is extremely health conscious.
Great! He could also try the recipes on the Blog…if you likes those flavour combos 😉
This is a great post! Making power bars are soo good to know! I love them and am often found carrying them around! Thanks for the recipe!
Me too! I’m hypoglycemic so I ALWAYS have to carry snacks around with me…these do the trick!
I’m hypoglycemic too! I either have power bars with me and if I don’t I always have glucose tablets in every bag I own just in case
I’ve been meaning to look into getting those…do you need a prescription? I just always opt for ‘natural’ remedies but these might be worth a try!
They’re great for when you don’t have anything else with you. And no they sell them at a CVS or Walgreens in the aisles!
Great! I think I’m going to pick some up!
This is great info for just about anyone. I can’t tell you how many people I see walking around with power bars (myself included).
Been there, done that! lol! These are SO much better than store-bought…the best part is you know exactly what’s going in them!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I love energy bars, but those things are expensive!
I know! It bothers me to know that most of them just contain fillers…that don’t cost nearly as much as we pay for them!
I love Larabars. I never knew I could make my own, though. I am going to have to try making them.
You do have to play with the recipe (depending on your personal tastes) but they are super easy to make!