Fruit & Nut Protein Bars (No-Bake)
These no-bake Fruit & Nut Protein Bars are tasty and loaded with omega-3s. An ideal snack to grab and go, these bars are dairy-free, gluten-free, and grain-free. Delish! If you love protein bars, then this recipe is for you.
Sometimes we want something wholesome without preservatives or additives and a snack-protein-bar that is good for us and won’t break the bank. Well, this recipe is so ridiculously easy, these bars come together quickly, therefore, why bother buying the packaged ones? Right?!
This Recipe for Fruit & Nut Protein Bars (No-Bake)
The other day my sweet friend sent me this recipe for fruit & nut protein bars she made and loved it. We frequently share recipes, especially since she knows we love protein bars. However, they can be quite expensive!
When I reviewed the original recipe, I noticed it called for eight individual nuts and fruits. To clarify, buying each ingredient separately would cost a small fortune. Yikes!
So instead, I decided to find a way to make these bars using ONE package of all-organic Omega-3 Trail Mix, which is a medley of nuts and fruit, making these protein bars come together fast & easy. And, not to mention – it was very cost-effective. The package contains walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, pecans, cashews, and dried cranberries. Perfect!
Plus, we LOVE Medjool dates and chocolate, which are included in our recipe and they turned out amazing! If you enjoy dates and no-bake treats, be sure to try our Chocolate Covered Dates, and No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Organic 365 Trail Mix
- Unsweetened Coconut (flake or shredded)
- Medjool Dates
- Creamy Nut Butter (almond or peanut butter)
- Dark or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
How To Make These Fruit & Nut Protein Bars
- Rather than measuring individual nuts and dried fruits, you only need to measure 2 and a half cups of the mixture. First, chop all the nuts and dried fruit on a wooden cutting board. Then measure and toss them into a mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut to the bowl.
2. Next, the trail mixture is combined with the dates and nut butter to make the paste, which binds everything together.
Helpful Tip! You can use a Stand Mixer to help mix them, or you can use your hands to knead the paste, and it will give you a nice workout. Start by stirring with a spoon until everything is combined, then knead it by hand. The paste will be sticky.
3. Press the mixture into the baking pan. Use your fingers to press it evenly into one single layer. Then scatter with the reserved fruit and nut mixture on top. And chill it.
4. Finally, melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler on the stovetop. Then drizzle the melted chocolate over the top. Take a knife and run it across the chocolate, then chill the pan again before cutting it into bars. They turned out great and delicious! (*Full details and instructions are in our recipe card below!)
Tools You’ll Need
For this recipe, there are only a few things you should have to make these protein bars, and they are:
Tricks and Tips
- You can double this recipe, use a 9 x 13-inch baking pan, and have enough bars to freeze and enjoy them for weeks.
- Make them your own, and choose your favorite dried fruits and nuts.
- They are great for freezing! When storing, it’s best to keep the bars in single layers with a sheet of wax in between them to keep them from sticking.
- These bars are ideal to “grab and go” with your morning coffee. Perfect afternoon snack as a “pick-me-up.” And, great to add them to your kids’ lunch boxes too!
- Best to keep these bars chilled, or in the freezer.
More Delicious No-Bake Treats
- No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites
- Chocolate-Dipped Apricots
- Dates Filled with Mascarpone and Walnuts
- S’mores Dark Chocolate Bark
If you try any of these No Bake Fruit & Nut Protein Bars, please tell us and leave a comment below, and don’t forget the stars “⭐” our recipe card! Have fun snap a photo and share it on Instagram or Pinterest. And, thank you for your support!
Fruit & Nut Protein Bars (No-Bake)
These are no-bake Fruit & Nut Protein Bars nutritiously tasty and loaded with omega-3s. An ideal snack to grab and go, these bars are dairy-free, gluten-free, and grain-free. Delish! If you love healthy protein bars, then this recipe is for you.
Ingredients
- 2 + 1/2 cups of organic (omega-3) Trail Mix
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened coconut (flake or shredded)
- 2 + 1/2 cups (about 12 large) pitted Medjool dates
- 1/4 cup creamy natural almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - melted
Instructions
- First, lightly coat your 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray, and line with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches up the sides.
- On a wood cutting board, measure 2.5 cups of trail mix, and chop the mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the chopped trail mix along with the 1/4 cup of coconut. Stir the mixture, then measure a 1/4 cup of the mixture, remove it, and set it aside to reserve for topping.
- Remove the pits and discard them from the Medjool dates. In a Food Processor, process the dates with the nut butter and 1 to 2 tablespoons of hot water, until it forms a smooth paste. Transfer the paste to the nut mixture and stir and knead until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to your 9-inch prepared baking pan and use your finger to press firmly into an even layer. NOTE: Take your time to press the mixture evenly. Next, scatter the reserved 1/4 cup of nut and fruit mixture on top, and lightly press to adhere. Transfer to your refrigerator (or freezer) to chill, for about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips, stirring until they are completely melted. Remove the mixture from the fridge. Drizzle the melted chocolate on top, and anyway you prefer, diagonally or zig-zag. Then transfer the pan back into the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours or more before cutting into bars (or freeze until firm).
- Use the parchment paper as handles to lift from the baking pan and transfer to a cutting board. Use a large sharp knife to cut into bars. Best to keep these bars chilled.
Notes
Tips and Tricks...
- For a quick way to chill the mixture before adding the melting chocolate, place the baking pan, uncovered in the freezer to firm for at least 30 minutes.
- Then melt chocolate chips and drizzle over the chilled mixture and transfer the pan back into the freezer for an additional 30 minutes, or more. Then cut into bars.
- You can keep these protein bars in the refrigerator and an airtight container for up to 2 weeks, or freeze them for up to 2 months. And enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 bars Serving Size: 1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 101Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1.4gCholesterol: 0mgCarbohydrates: 13.9gFiber: 1.7gSugar: 10.2gProtein: 1.7g
Have a Delicious Day! 😉
Thanks for stopping by
xo anna and liz
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What could I use instead of dates for the binder
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for asking. You could try chopped dried figs, or mashed banana. But keep in mind, it will change the texture on these bars. Also, I have never made these bars without dates, so I’m not familiar how they would turn out with figs or mashed banana. I hope this helps. And, thanks for your subscription and your support. Have a great weekend.