No Bake Breakfast Bars
My kids started back to school this week. It’s always such a major transition in our kitchen, from leisurely breakfasts, unlimited snacking (mostly for the kids) and no real schedule to stick to for meals. When the school year kicks in, our days suddenly start earlier with everyone working to get out of the house on time, so back to school breakfast takes a bit of planning and a bit of prep. But that doesn’t mean it has to be hard! Here’s my secret:
These breakfast energy bars are the answer to easy back to school mornings — not just for the kids, for the whole family. They’re perfect for grab-and-go, and last in the fridge the whole week and in the freezer up to three months! Homemade energy bars do double duty as a smart after school snack. If you’re on the hunt for more back-to-school breakfast ideas, you can also try these freezer almond pancakes, meal prep waffles, and strawberry overnight oats.
3-Ingredient Paleo Energy Bar Recipe
With only three wholesome ingredients and a 5 minute preparation time, these homemade paleo bars need to be on your back-to-school meal prep list. Cashews pack 5 grams of protein and 13 grams of heart-healthy fat per ounce. They’re going to keep you full and satisfied, while the dried apples or cherries give a delicious bit of sweetness. Bonus: they’re gluten free, dairy free, vegan and have zero added sugar.
Cherries are my family’s favorite, and they contain vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin E, all of which boost the immune system. Immune health is top of mind during back-to-school season to help our bodies maintain optimal cold and flu fighting strength. Lastly, the dates offer fiber for keeping you full and satisfied until lunch. Together, these 3 ingredients provide a BIG energy boost that you’ll need for those busy mornings.
Healthy Breakfast Prep
It’s so easy to reach for processed bars and sugary cereals during the morning chaos. Meal prep takes away all the fuss, and gives me so much peace knowing we’re fueling our bodies with balanced, wholesome nutrition. My favorite no-bake energy bars come together insanely fast. They can be dressed up even more with a bit of coconut or cinnamon to suit your taste.
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PrintBreakfast Energy Bars
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Description
3-ingredient chewy, nutritious breakfast bars packed with protein, fiber and natural sweetness for a major energy boost.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashew nuts
- 1 cup dried fruit (cherries or apples)
- 12 whole dates, pitted
Optional
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a food processor. Pulse a few times just to break them up. Separate the dates if they start to clump together.
- Process continuously for 30 seconds.
- Scrape the bowl then process for 1-2 minutes more, until the mixture forms into a ball.
- Form into a 1” thick square or rectangle. Wrap and chill.
- Remove from fridge and cut into 12 bars. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap or wax paper.
Store up to a week in fridge or freeze for up to 3 months. Serve cold.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
