No-Bake Breakfast Bars with Fruits and Nuts

Keep this big batch of breakfast bars at the ready for on-the-go mornings, or any time hunger strikes.

No-Bake-Fruit-Nut-Bars
Photo:

Greg Dupree, Prop Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Food Stylist: Claire Spollen

Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
14

There’s no need to turn the oven on for this fruit-and-nut breakfast bars recipe. This no-bake breakfast bar is made with a variety of dried fruit and three (!) types of nuts for added texture. Walnuts, cashews, and pistachios offer a subtle crunch amidst the soft chewiness of the date and almond butter base. Dried mango, apricot, and cherries also grace the mixture, adding sweetness and a pleasant tartness. Have fun customizing the bars to your liking by keeping quantities the same and playing around with different nuts and dried fruit. 

​​If you’re working with another date variety, such as deglet, soak the dates in hot water first for about 30 minutes, and then drain before processing. 

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

  • 1/2 cup chopped cashews

  • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios

  • 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

  • 1/4 cup chopped unsweetened dried mango

  • 1/4 cup dried tart cherries or cranberries

  • 1/4 cup finely shredded unsweetened dried coconut (optional)

  • 2 1/2 cups (about 25) pitted Medjool dates 

  • 1/4 cup creamy natural almond or peanut butter

  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

  1. Coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on 2 sides. Lightly coat parchment with cooking spray.

  2. Stir together walnuts, cashews, pistachios, apricots, mango, cherries, and coconut (if using) in a large bowl. Remove 1/4 cup mixture; reserve for topping. 

  3. Process dates, nut butter, salt, and 1 tablespoon hot water in a food processor until a smooth paste forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl with nut mixture; stir and knead until well combined.

  4. Transfer mixture to prepared baking pan and press firmly into an even layer. Scatter reserved 1/4 cup nut-and-fruit mixture on top, pressing to adhere. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. (Or freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.)

  5. Using parchment paper as handles, lift from baking pan and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into bars. 

Make Ahead: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

175 Calories
11g Fat
19g Carbs
4g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 14
Calories 175
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 11%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 101mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 13g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 22mg 2%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 263mg 6%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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