Pecan Energy Bar Recipe (2024)

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This homemade energy bar recipe is the perfect wholesome snack! It’s naturally sweet, featuring oats, chia seeds, and pecans.

Pecan Energy Bar Recipe (1)

These post was created in partnership with theAmerican Pecan Council. All opinions are our own.

Wholesome snacks is a topic Alex and I get asked about a lot. Now that we have a toddler, we think about it a lot too! This energy bar recipe is our newest invention for healthy snacks. And let me tell you, our son Larson is OBSESSED with them, too! Not only are these kid approved, they’re perfect for adult snacking too. The sweet flavor is reminiscent of pecan pie,and they’re full of superfoods like pecans and chia seeds.

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What’s great about pecans?

Pecans are the star in this energy bar recipe! There are so many things Alex and I love about this nut. Pecans are:

  • Nutritious: Pecans are very nutrient dense! They’reamong the highest in “good” monounsaturated fats, and contain protein, fiber,flavonoids and essential minerals (copper, manganese and zinc).
  • Versatile:They’re not just for pecan pie! They’re an easy snack right out of the bag or mixed with dried fruit for a fast trail mix. We love tossing them into our morning oatmeal, on yogurt, and onto green salads. Of course, using pecans in granola and energy bars is only natural.
  • Local: Of all the major tree nuts eaten in the US, pecans are the only onesindigenous to America! They were originally grown wild and enjoyed by Native Americans. Now they’re harvested in over a dozen Southern states.
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What’s in this energy bar recipe?

Why make an energy bar recipe at home instead of buying it? Well, it lets you control the ingredients so you know exactly what’s in it! They’re also slightly cheaper than store bought. The energy bars we like to make are similar to store bought Larabars. But our homemade version is about 2/3 less cost and you have ultimate control over the ingredients! Here’s what’s in them:

  • Pecans
  • Medjool dates
  • Oats
  • Chia seeds (gives a boost of protein, fiber and Omega 3s!)

How to make homemade energy bars

To make this energy bar recipe, you’ll need a large size food processor for blending the ingredients. Here are the basic steps:

  • In a food processor, blend together Medjool dates, pecans, oats, chia seeds, vanilla, cinnamon and salt until a sticky dough forms.
  • Press it into an even layer on a baking sheet.
  • Bake the bars for 30 minutes at 200 degrees, which helps to dry them out a bit and improves the texture so they’re not so sticky.
  • Cut them into bars that are 3 inches long and 1 ½ inches wide.
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Are they kid friendly?

YES. our toddler Larson is SO into these! They’re a great kid friendly snack that’s also naturally vegan and gluten free. Here are a few photos of him gnawing on these pecan energy bars. (Where did our baby go?)

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Looking for pecan recipes?

The pecan is one of our favorite nuts and we love working it into recipes! Here are a few of our favorite pecan recipes:

  • Candied Pecans
  • Glazed Pecans
  • Toasted Homemade Breakfast Cereal
  • Pumpkin Pecan Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal
  • Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
  • Acai Bowl Recipe…with pecan topping!
  • Healthy Maple Pecan Granola

This energy bar recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, plant based, dairy free, refined sugar free, and naturally sweet.

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Pecan Energy Bar Recipe (11)

Homemade Energy Bar Recipe

★★★★★4.4 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Sonja
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 14 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This homemade energy bar recipe is the perfect wholesome snack! It’s naturally sweet, featuring oats, chia seeds, and pecans.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 15 Medjool dates (9 ounces)*
  • 1 cup raw pecan halves
  • ½ cup gluten free oats
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200F.
  2. Remove the pits from the dates with your fingers (they come right out!). Place the dates in the food processor and process or pulse until they are mainly chopped and a rough texture forms. Then add the remaining ingredients and process for a minute or so until a crumbly dough forms.
  3. Line a baking sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Dump the dough into the center of the parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll it into a rectangle that is 6” x 10.5”. Cut the dough into 14 bars that are 1.5” x 3”. (You don’t have to be as precise as we were, but we found it was easiest for cutting uniform bars!)
  4. Bake the bars for 30 minutes (this step helps to make the texture more dry and less sticky). Cool the bars to room temperature, then store refrigerated in a sealed container between sheets of wax paper. If you’d like to package them for on the go snacking, cut out 4” x 6” rectangles of wax paper, wrap them around the bars, and secure them with tape. Stays good for 1 month refrigerated (or more, but they may not last that long!).

Notes

* We recommend using Medjool dates: they’re a large, tender and sweet variety of dates that create the perfect texture for these bars. They’re available at most grocery stores; many times they are in the bulk or produce section, or packaged in the dried fruit section.

  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Pecans, Pecan Bar, Larabar, Homemade Larabar, Energy Bar, Pecan Energy Bar, Superfood Bar, Healthy Snack, Healthy Pecan Bar, Healthy Granola Bar, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Snacks for Travel, Kid Friendly, Kid Foods, Kid Approved

Last updated: January 2020

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

  • Recipes

Tagged with:

  • Chia Seeds
  • Cinnamon
  • Dairy-Free
  • Dates
  • Easy
  • For Kids
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Granola Bars
  • Medjool Dates
  • Oats
  • Pecans
  • Plant-Based
  • Simple
  • snack
  • Vanilla
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Vegetarian Recipes

About the authors

Pecan Energy Bar Recipe (12)

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you’ll want to make again and again.

About Us

Pecan Energy Bar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to tell if pecan bars are done? ›

How Do You Know When Pecan Pie Bars Are Done? When these pecan pie bars are done baking, the edges will be golden brown and bubbling. (The bake time is about 25 to 30 minutes.) The filling should be fully set at the edges, but may still jiggle a bit at the center.

What makes energy bars stick together? ›

Honey – Along with the nut butter, it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe. Vanilla extract – It amps up the bars' warm flavor.

What flavor goes well with pecan? ›

Rich and buttery pecans add crunch and depth of flavor to many dishes. They pair wonderfully with our favorite autumnal flavors—like maple syrup, bourbon, chocolate, and even sweet potatoes—and are the perfect snack regardless of whether they're raw or toasted.

How do you know when pecans are done? ›

For toasting pecans on the stovetop, place the pecans in a dry stainless-steel skillet over medium heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until they are a deep golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

How do you know when bars are done? ›

Consider the following:
  1. For cake-like bars, test with a wooden pick inserted at the center of the pan. ...
  2. Chewy (moister) bars will have a dull, rather than shiny, surface; a slight imprint will remain after touching the surface lightly with your fingertip.
  3. Most bars also pull away slightly from the edges of the pan.

What should be avoided in energy bars? ›

The more additives you see — particularly excess sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol), which can cause gastric distress — the less likely the bar is to deserve the “healthy” moniker. Palm oils, soy protein isolate and so-called natural flavors are also red flags.

What is a disadvantage of energy bars? ›

High in Calories: Energy bars are quick and convenient snack options for today's busy lifestyle. But, some bars can contain a lot of calories, which can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess. It's important to check the calorie content of the bars you choose and consume them in moderation.

What makes an energy bar good? ›

Your body stores carbohydrate energy as glycogen within your muscles which depletes during exercise. When you eat an energy bar the carbohydrates, including sugars, in that bar top up your body's fuel and give your body an energy boost to keep you going stronger for longer.

What is the tastiest pecan? ›

You want a richer flavored pecan? This is typically due to a very high oil content – Elliott, Lipan or a seedling (native) pecan may be best for you.

Why do my pecans taste bad? ›

Nuts with higher fat content, like walnuts and pecans can also go rancid after a few months if stored at too warm a temperature. If you notice that your nuts have taken on a noticeably bitter, sour flavor, they may have entered this unfortunate phase.

What do you crack pecans with? ›

A nutcracker can also be used to shell pecans. A specialized inertial type pecan cracker can also be used if you want to spend the extra money. Shell the pecans, but be careful with the nutmeat.

Is pecan pie still jiggly when done? ›

jiggle in the center when it's ready to take out of the. oven. If it's still liquid-like in the middle, it's too soon.

Why are my pecan bars runny? ›

Why Are My Pecan Pie Bars Runny? If your bars are runny, it's likely because they weren't baked long enough or the oven temperature wasn't hot enough. You need to ensure that the bars are in the oven long enough (at the right temperature) to allow the filling to set up properly.

Can you overcook a pecan pie? ›

Yes, you can overcook a pecan pie.

A pecan pie is likely overcooked or has been in the oven too long if the top turns black or the filling starts to crack. Overbaking your pie can make it sticky or crunchy, causing the filling to become tough, hard, and difficult to eat.

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