These no-bake Pistachio Fig Energy Bars are a delicious and healthy vegan snack. Made with only natural ingredients, these bars provide a wholesome energy boost, therefore an ideal healthy vegan snack or a post-workout treat. These homemade energy bars are vegan, keto, paleo-friendly, gluten-free and refined sugar free.
Pistachio Fig Energy Bars: A Healthy Vegan Snack
One of the most convenient and popular food items is a snack bar of some sort such as dried fruit and nut bars or energy balls. Many of the commercial varieties are loaded with sugar, refined flour and other not-so-desirable ingredients. Homemade energy bars are quite easy to make, and you can use ingredients to your taste and make them healthy.
The thing I like about making my own fig bars or healthy energy balls is that I can disguise healthy powders such as maca, matcha, cacao and fruit powders which give the bars distinct colour and flavour while increasing their nutritional profile to the next level.
These vegan energy bars can be made chewy or crunchy to taste. I love the chewiness and intense flavour of dried fruits and the crunch of the roasted nuts. You can adjust the ratio of fruits and nuts to create your own best fig and nut bar recipe. Dates and figs form a good base to bind all the dry ingredients such as nuts and cereals together. When substituting ingredients in a healthy fig and nut bar recipe, it is important to have enough of the dried fruits to bind everything nicely. Also lightly roasting the nuts is a vital step towards yielding the crunch factor.
Most of the homemade bars keep fresh in airtight containers for weeks but trust me these will be gone before you know it. This fig bar is beautiful frozen especially in the hot weather when everything seems to be sticky.
Flavours can be modified to taste. I have tried cardamom, rosewater and vanilla separately. My favourite is the cardamom.
Toss a nut and fruit bar or two in your gym bag or freeze your homemade dried fruit and nut bars ready for lunch boxes or as a portable breakfast or mid-morning snack. The pistachio and fig bars are great energy boosting snack when you need that pick-me-up. They are so addictive, my family love them for breakfast, snack or dessert.
Nutritional Benefits of Pistachio Fig Energy Bars
Figs and Dates are natural sweeteners rich in dietary fibre and essential minerals.
Pistachios on the other hand provide healthy fats, protein and antioxidants, supporting heart health and sustained energy.
Healthy Nut and Fig Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 dried figs soaked for 20 minutes
- 10 medjool dates soaked 20 minutes
- 1 cup pistachios or assorted nuts almonds, walnuts, macadamias, cashews work well
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup cranberries
- 4 tbsp almond meal
- 1 ½ tsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp poppy seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
Instructions
- Dry roast the nuts in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Once cooled, chop them into small pieces.
- Drain the figs and dates well, then blend them in a food processor into a paste.
- Heat coconut oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat, add the fig and date paste, and cook, stirring continuously until it forms a sticky mixture. Reduce the heat to low.
- Add the chopped roasted nuts, pumpkin seeds, cranberries, and poppy seeds to the mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased or parchment-lined tray.
- Press it into a 20mm thick slaband freeze for 2 hours.
- Cut into rectangular bars witha sharp knife and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Variations and Tips:
- Add a pinch of cardamom or rosewater for a Middle Eastern twist.
- Substitute pistachios with other nuts such as almonds, walnuts, macadamias or cashews.
- Adjust the ratio of dried fruits to nuts to achieve desired chewiness or crunchiness. Be sure to have enough dates and figs to allow the bars to bind the nuts.
- The nut and fig bars will keep fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month. For a firmer texture, store the bars in the freezer, especially during warmer climate for up to 4 months.
Serving Suggestions:
- Enjoy as a quick breakfast on the go.
- Pair with a cup of herbal tea for an afternoon snack.
- Include in lunchboxes for a healthy treat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Energy Bars:
- Can I substitute other nuts for pistachios? Yes, almonds, walnuts, macadamias or cashews work well.
- Are these energy bars gluten-free? Yes, be sure to buy ingredients that are certified gluten-free.
- How long do these bars last? They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a month and in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- Can I make these bars without a food processor? Absolutely, finely chopping the dried fruits and mixing thoroughly while cooking works very well.
Inspired by traditional Middle Eastern flavours, these Pistachio Fig Energy Bars combine the natural sweetness of dried fruits with the rich, nutty taste of pistachios. I used to buy the nut and fig bars from a Lebanese shop, but I always felt I would love pistachios in those bars. So, I had to create my own recipe at home. They taste AMAZING and are perfect for a healthy, vegan snack that’s easy to prepare and delightful to eat.
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