These 6 ingredient vegan energy bars with coconut flakes, macadamia nuts, dried cranberries, lemon and dates make for the perfect mid afternoon snack. Gluten-Free and Refined Sugar Free. Ready in 15 mins.
I’ve been on a food processor truffle/ball/bite kick recently. It all started with my vegan energy balls with chocolate, then moved on to honey avocado truffles with pistachios, vegan hazelnut truffles, and lastly vegan peanut date energy bites. But I wanted vegan energy bars that were more fruity.
More fruit, different nuts and some zest. Yes, lemon zest. Love love love the added pop and freshness that both lime and lemon zest add to the vegan energy bars. Lime I love to add to my savory meals but lemon seems to go so well with anything else tossed into the food processor.
What would it be this time? Macadamia nuts, coconut flakes, dried cranberries and dates. Sometimes I recipe just comes at you out of nowhere (or you give your best friend a call and start listing off ingredients asking her to hypothesize which would go best together). True story.
And it worked out well in the end, so thanks A! Is it just me or are macadamia nuts seriously underrated and underutilized in the kitchen? I mean how often do you see this awesome nut being the star or even accompaniment to a dish? Almonds, peanuts and cashew steal all the fun, and poor little macadamia nuts are always left neglected in the corner.
Time for that to change. I bought a whole jar of macadamia nuts and toasted them in the oven so that I would have them toasted for any of my recipes. And by toasted I mean some of them were slightly burnt. Even though the oven so clearly has a nice and simple timer to use I always seem to think I’ve got my eye on things and can handle toasting some nuts sans timer.
And then I burn them every time. Learn from my mistakes (since I clearly refuse to) and set a timer when you go to oven toast those nuts! So ideally if you’re an organized timely person you’ll have perfectly lightly browned toasted macadamia nuts to worth and won’t be sorting through a jar of some half burnt some good to go ones.
Once you’ve got the nuts ready simply combine all the ingredients in the food processor, pulse for a bit – but not for too long, you don’t want the mixture completely smooth and you’re done.
Form into a rectangular log in a baking dish or on parchment paper, refrigerate, wait for a bit, and then cut into 5 bars.
The taste of these Vegan Energy Bars with Coconut, Macadamia and Cranberries is incredible. They have that distinct macadamia nut flavor while being sweetened by the cranberries and dates, and turned refreshing with the lemon juice and coconut flakes.
Not too heavy just a perfect fruity nut bar. This vegan energy bars are perfect morning or afternoon snack.
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup macadamia nuts
- 4 dates
- 1 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 lemon zested
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Combine ingredients in food processor and blend until not quite smooth.
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Form the mixture into a rectangle in a baking dish or using parchment paper.
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Refrigerate until firm and cut into 5 bars.
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Store in the refrigerator.
Sarah says
I agree – macadamia nuts are definitely underrated! These bars look delicious and filling – I will have to give them a try!
Vicky says
Right?! You never see them in recipes! Thanks : )
Sarah says
These sound amazing! I’ve just pinned it so I can try it later 🙂
Vicky says
Thanks! Thanks for pinning!
Heather McClees says
These look absolutely delicious! Great recipe, and I love that it’s plant-based! 🙂
Vicky says
Thanks! Yes I’m always trying to make vegan energy bars and bites!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Seriously this recipe could not be easier. It’s a must try for sure – pinned and yummed 🙂
Vicky says
Thanks! Thanks for sharing : ))
Manju | Cooking Curries says
It has everything in it that I absolutely love!! So good!
Vicky says
Thanks! That’s how I feel too : ))
Mark, Compass & Fork says
I have been meaning to make my own energy bars forever but have never got around to it. Now I have the recipe so no more excuses. Thanks for sharing
Vicky says
Haha yes no excuses now!!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
I always need a good recipe for energy bars, and this sounds perfect!
Vicky says
Thanks!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
So nice to have some healthy snack ideas on hand!
Vicky says
Exactly! That way you don’t get tempted by junk food!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
YUM! Love all of the flavors! Great idea for a healthy snack for kids’ lunches, sports events or hikes!
Vicky says
Exactly! Perfect to take with you on the go!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence says
Love the addition of lemon here. I make similar bars with walnuts and almond butter.
Vicky says
The lemon really makes the bars pop with freshness – the zest adds an incredible lightness to the bars. Walnuts + almond butter sounds like a great combo too!