I read healthy-living forums and see the same question asked over and over. “What are some healthy go-to foods I should incorporate into my diet?” Time and again, apples are among the suggestions that come up, because not only are they a low-calorie snack to help keep your weight in check, they’re also packed with nutrition!
Apples are extremely rich in important antioxidants, flavanoids, and dietary fiber. The phytonutrients and antioxidants in apples may help reduce the risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.
Since this month is Apple Month I thought it was the perfect time to share some of my favorite apple recipes with my readers. Lately, I’ve been a fan of energy bars – keeping one in my purse at all times should I get hungry on the go. It helps me resist the urge to hit the drive through and also ensures I get a nutritious snack that will hold my appetite until my next meal. It’s important to me that my energy bars are not high in calories, but also fill me up while tasting good.
These Apple Cinnamon Energy Bars are super easy to make and my kids love them too! They come in at just 171 calories per bar.
Try them out and let me know if you make them!
- 2 cups pecans (8 oz)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1.5 cups pitted and halved dates (I used a 354g pkg)
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 medium sized apples, chopped (approx 2 cups) I used Mcintosh but Granny Smith would be good too!
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the pecans and oats in a single layer, then bake for 10 minutes.
- While it's baking, line a casserole dish with parchment paper, leaving extra paper on either side to use as handles later.
- After baking, place the toasted nuts and pecans in a food processor. To do this, make the parchment paper into a funnel and pour it in.
- Add the dates, cinnamon and salt, then process mixture until course and crumbly.
- Add the apples and pulse until there are no large chunks left. I found it easier to take out about half the pecan/oats mixture first, to make more room for the apples to get good and chopped up, then add back the pecan oats and continue mixing.
- Transfer the mixture to your casserole dish using a wide flat spatula to get a consistent flat top once placed. Folding the parchment paper handles inward and flattening with your hand works well.
- Bake in oven for 20 minutes. Remove and let sit for 15 minutes then lift out of the pan and cut into bars.
Visit BC Tree Fruits to learn more about apples and find more great recipes and ideas! You can also follow BC Tree Fruits on Twitter @bctreefruits and Facebook here!
They sure look tasty,thanks for the recipe !
Store bought energy bars always have tons of sugar and junk in them. Thanks for this healthy version!
I will give them a try as I love apple and cinnamon.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks easy enough to make, healthy and loaded with fiber. A great on the go snack.
Look yummy! We have a nut allergy to pecans so wonder if I can sub other nuts in its place?
This recipe looks and sounds delicious. The ingredients are really healthy which is awesome for a snack.
I think these sound delicious and very healthy for a great snack.Thanks for the recipe.I will be trying this. 🙂
Yum! Love finding new recipes for the family 🙂
these look delish!
This sounds delicious! Was looking for a way to use up the apples in my fridge!
I am very impressed with the ingredient list here.
These sound really good, I have everything here but the apples, grr, an excuse to go buy some now!
MMMM! I love all the ingredients in the recipe. Saving recipe.
These sound like they would be so much tastier than the packaged varieties.
This is a great recipe for energy bars! I love all these ingredients.
Your bars look like they’re really moist. I like that.
yum! apple and cinnamon go so well together 🙂
We actually make these yesterday and they are delicious
I’ve been looking for a good energy bar recipe . Thank you !
I’ve never tried to make my own! But this looks like something I can do 🙂
They look & sound really yummy & healthy, looking forward to trying them, thanks!
Wow, these would be perfect for my daughter’s pre/post workout snacks!
I am putting this on my list of things to make for this week. We are eating healthy so always looking for new recipes to try out. Thanks!
Yum these look great, thanks for the recipe
these look super delicious
Apples are my favourite fruit, I eat one daily. Sounds like a great recipe!
Handy snacks on the go!
Simple recipe! the less ingredients the more likely i am to make it. thank you for sharing.
what if you have a nut allergy what can you use to replace them ??
I’ve never cooked with dates. This is totally new territory for me.
Wow! My husband would just love it if I made these for him!
I love this idea. This would be perfect for me to have first thing in the morning before my workout since I don’t like having a full breakfast before I go!
These sound awesome! I like the nutritional break down too. Thank you for sharing
Love this ! I have made energy bites in the past and my family loves them , Ill bookmark this recipe and give it a try in their lunches !
Looks yummy & best of all good for you too!!
these look yummy!
These sound delicious!
Dates, rolled oats, cinnamon, pecans and apples! What’s not to live for these energy bars! I’ve been looking for a great recipe and this fits the bill!
Making homemade snacks like this that are packed with nutrition just make me feel good about myself about what I’m putting into my body vs pre-packaged foods.
Those look tasty, thanks for the recipe.
They look and sound delicious. Thanks for sharing
sounds like a delicious and healthy recipe. would love to give it a try, it sounds a lot better than some of the energy bars on the market
I didn’t realize that February was “Apple Month” ~ but hey I love them anytime ~ especially in cooking/recipes for those times of year when they lack that perfect autumn crispness! These bars will be perfect for my honey/hubby’s morning energy burst needs ~ especially as the weather warms up and he starts riding his bicycle to work regularly.
I also noticed (and can’t wait to try) the tantalizing Apple-Cheddar Soup. Apples and Cheddar are an awesome combination: my favorite recipe for Apple Pie calls for adding shredded Cheddar to the pie crust dough ~ delish!
these energy bars look awesome and very healthy on my list to make thanks for the recipe
love finding new bar recipes rather than purchasing them
These sound perfect to take on the go for a healthy snack!