You are in: Home * Healthy Recipes * Fruit and Nut Bar Recipe

Fruit and nut bar recipe

This homemade version of a fruit cereal bar is packed with energy giving apricots, raisins, nuts, and seeds. It makes an excellent start to the day, especially with a calcium rich glass of milk or cup of yogurt. It could also be a healthy addition to a lunch box.

Fruit and nut bar tasty twists

Any type of ready to eat dried fruit can be used to make these bars. Why not experiment with pre-mixed bags, like a tropical or energy combo?

Did you know?

Hazelnuts are high in fiber, potassium, calcium, magnesium,and vitamin E, so they are nutritious as well as tasty!

Food Facts

Drying fruit is one of the oldest methods of preserving it. The drying process concentrates nutrients, making dried fruit a useful source of fiber, natural sugars, vitamins B and C, iron, calcium, and other minerals. However, levels of vitamin C in dried fruit are lower than if it's fresh!

How to make fruit and nut bar recipe

Preparation: 15 minutes; Cooking: 3 minutes; Chilling: 1 hour; Makes: 8-10 bars

Ingredients you need

⅓ cup hazelnuts
⅔ cup whole oats
¾ cup raisins
1 heaping cup dried apricots
(cut into small pieces)
4 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

Equipment you need

frying pan
spatula
small sharp knife
cutting board
food processor or blender
large mixing bowl
parchment paper
7 inch x 10 inch (18 x 25 cm) pan

Step by step directions for fruit and nut bars

Step 1

Put the hazelnuts, oats, and seeds into a frying pan. Toast (stirring) over a medium heat for 3 minutes, or until they begin to turn golden. Leave to cool.

Step 2

Put the raisins, apricots, and orange juice into a food processor and purée until the mixture becomes smooth. Pour the purée into a mixing bowl.

Step 3

Put the nuts, oats, and seeds in the food processor and whiz until they are finely chopped. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the fruit purée.

Step 4

Stir the fruit mixture until all the ingredients are mixed together. Line a 7 inch x 10 inch (18 x 25 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 5

Spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Chill for at least 1 hour, until solid. Then turn it out of the tin and peel off the parchment paper. Cut into bars.