Best Ingredients for Energy Bars

Best Ingredients for Energy Bars

There are days when we feel full of energy and ready to take on all of the tasks that lie ahead and then there are days when we need an extra boost. If you're struggling to get through your mid-morning meetings and crave an afternoon pick-me-up between meals, be sure to reach for something healthy. Reaching for a snack rich in wholesome, natural ingredients will satisfy your hunger cravings and give you the high-quality energy boost needed to stay focused. One of our favorite healthy snacks to grab when we're in need is an energy bar. When made with natural ingredients, nutritious energy bars are an excellent and quick source of much-needed nutrition. Easy-to-make, creating an energy bar that satisfies your nutritional needs and taste buds isn't hard. By focusing on healthy, whole-food ingredients, you can easily make a delicious treat fit to take anywhere.

Healthy Energy Bar Ingredients

If you're new to making energy bars and need a bit of help getting started, we're here for you! At Bob's Red Mill, we love whipping up large batches of energy bars weekly. Because of this, we've tried and tested several recipes and discovered some of the healthiest and best ingredients to make nutritious energy bars. If you want to learn how to make energy bars at home, keep reading as we dive into our favorite ingredients and recipes.

Whole Grains

Boxes with various whole grains   If you're a fan of Bob's Red Mill, then you understand how much we love whole grains. One of the most nutritious foods you can eat, whole grains make for a wonderful granola bar base. Whole grains are loaded with fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. All of which are crucial to a healthy diet. They also taste delicious, allowing you to create healthy and enjoyable energy bars with ease. Though we adore many whole grains, we've found it takes a special kind of grain to create the perfect energy bar. For maximum nutrition and flavor, and an ideal texture, use grains like oats, quinoa and amaranth to make your next energy bar.

Oats

Oats make for the ideal energy bar base. While some pretty impressive health benefits accompany their nutritional content, what we really love about oats is their ability to tie all of the ingredients in a recipe together. Oats add bulk to energy bars and create an ideal environment for other elements to naturally bind to one another. The mild nutty flavor of oats works well with both sweet and savory flavors and they can be used to create a wide variety of different flavored bars. To make an energy bar that incorporates all of the nutritional health benefits of oats, start with these Almond Agave and Oat Energy Bars. Delicious, vegan and entirely gluten free, they're the perfect sweet and nutty bar to fuel your day with.

Amaranth

A naturally gluten free grain, amaranth provides significant amounts of fiber, protein and micronutrients. Associated with several health benefits like reduced inflammation, incorporating amaranth into your homemade energy bars is a great way to enjoy this superfood. When making energy bars, amaranth can be added in several ways. Cook it into your bar for a unique flavor or use popped amaranth to boost your snack's texture.

Quinoa

Though technically a seed, quinoa is often listed as a grain because of the many similarities they share. Quinoa can be cooked similar to rice and creates an excellent base for your homemade bars. Combine quinoa with your favorite dried fruits or cook it and use it as a base similar to how you would use oats.

Nuts and Seeds

A bowl of various nuts There are many ways to add a bit of crunch to your favorite granola bar recipe. One of our favorites is by using delicious nuts and seeds. The variety of nuts and seeds available makes them a nutritious ingredient that can appeal to nearly everyone's palate. Choose from almonds, walnuts, pecans, chia seeds, flaxseeds and sunflower seedsthe list is endless. Mixing one or more of these crunchy add-ins to your recipe will surely leave you wanting more. Excellent as a pre-workout snack and hiking and camping trips, using nuts to make a bar like these Fruit and Nut Energy Bars is ideal when you need a quick boost of energy. Keep scrolling to learn more about the many seeds you can work into your next bar recipe.

Flaxseeds

We love flaxseeds because of their versatility. Flaxseeds can be added to your energy bar whole or ground into a fine powder and used as a base. They're high in healthy fats and protein, making them an excellent add-in for those seeking an energy boost.

Chia Seeds

It's no surprise that chia seeds are great for you. Turn them into pudding, add them to smoothies, or our favoritework them into your favorite granola bar recipe. Because chia seeds expand when combined with water, they are an excellent binding ingredient and help unite all the ingredients in your recipe into one delicious bar.

Sunflower Seeds

While everyone loves bright, beautiful sunflowers, sunflower seeds often don't get the recognition they deserve. Overflowing with nutritional benefits, these tiny seeds are the perfect mix-in to use in your homemade energy bars. Roast then, bake them or turn them into creamy butter. Adding shelled sunflower seeds to your recipe is sure to take it up a notch.

Dried Fruit

close up of a coconut and grounded coconut flakes The problem with many energy bars found on store shelves is that they're loaded with sugar. Low-sugar bars commonly use natural sugars derived from whole food ingredients like fruits, dates and honey. If you're aiming to make a batch of healthy energy bars, skip the processed sugar and use dried fruit instead. It's an excellent way to sweeten up your treat without risking its nutritional value, plus you'll add flavor along the way. Sweet, tropical and tangy energy bars can be created with just a small addition to your favorite fruit. Not sure where to get started? We've listed a few naturally sweet dried fruit ingredients below.

Shredded Coconut

When thinking about dried fruit, shredded coconut probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. Well, we're here to change that. We absolutely love dried coconut and not just because it adds an irresistible sweetness to your energy bars but also because of its mouth-watering tropical flavor. By adding just a small amount of shredded coconut to your next bar recipe, you can take your taste buds on a trip to the islands in seconds. The perfect way to destress during a long day, this mix-in can help calm your nerves and curb your sweet tooth. Level up your snack game with shredded coconut and make these Organic Energy Bars With Fruit. Full of superfoods like coconut, Kamut berries, regular rolled oats and pumpkin seeds, they're a sure-fire way to keep you feeling your best.

Dates

Processed sugar is out and dates are now taking over the sweet scene. Chock-full of impressive health benefits, dates supply significant amounts of a wide range of nutrients. Their natural sweetness makes it easy to create a gratifying energy bar without the need to add additional sugar sources.

Apples

For a classic energy bar flavor that everyone will enjoy, try mixing dried apples into your recipe. When combined with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, apples can turn your protein-packed treat into a dessert-like sweet. An ideal way to calm your sweet tooth, fill your energy bars with apples if you require additional dietary fiber. They're easy on the stomach and create a guilt-free treat that even your kids will love. We hope that this list of nutritious energy bar ingredients has inspired you to head to the kitchen and make a batch of your own. With so many different energy bar recipes out there, it's essential to choose one that suits your lifestyle and health goals. Start your homemade energy bar-making journey by considering the bar's ingredients, along with the nutrients supplied. If you live an active lifestyle and need a bit more protein than most, we suggest modifying your bars by adding a mix-in like high-quality protein powder. However, if you're simply looking for a mid-day lift in energy, the recipes listed above will more than suffice! If you dont have time to make an energy bar at home, dont stress. To save you some time, we created an energy bar that tastes great and is full of health benefits. For an energy bar you can enjoy guilt-free, try out our Bobs Bars. Their short, low-allergy energy list makes them the perfect snack to toss in your bag or car and enjoy the goodness of whole grains on the go. Here at Bob's Red Mill, we love seeing you reach your health goals. If you have a favorite energy bar ingredient that you enjoy or want to share a recipe with us, let us know more in the comments below. From the Bob's Red Mill Family to yours, have a healthy and energized day!  
Bob's Red Mill
April 15 2021

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