Gluten-Free Energy Bar

By
Teri Gruss, MS
Teri Gruss, MS
Writer and nutrition expert Teri Lee Gruss, M.S. has written hundreds of recipes focusing on healthy gluten-free cooking.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/25/23
Homemade gluten-free granola bars on wooden board
Westend61/Getty Images
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Yield: 16 to 32 bars

Homemade gluten-free energy bars are an easy, no-bake, and economical alternative to commercial energy bars. Best of all, you can substitute your favorite dried fruits, nut butters, nuts or seeds, and sweeteners to create your own personalized energy bar. Pack gluten-free energy bars in lunch and travel bags for a quick, away-from-home, gluten-free snack.

Use almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, or pumpkin seeds, in any combination.

For the dried fruit, use cherries, cranberries, blueberries, apricots, pineapple, raisins, or goji berries, in any combination.

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Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup nut butter, almond, cashew, peanut, or sunflower butter

  • 3/4 cup sweetener, syrup, honey, gluten-free brown rice syrup. or good-quality agave nectar

  • 1 1/2 cups raw nuts, and/or seeds, roasted

  • 1 cup dried fruit, unsulfured

  • 4 cups gluten-free rice crispy cereal

  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Steps to Make It

  1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Place nuts and/or roasted seeds and dried fruit in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times, just until the mixture is coarsely ground.

  3. In a large saucepan melt nut butter with liquid sweetener over medium-low heat. Stir and watch carefully to prevent scorching. When the mixture is smooth and bubbling cook for about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add salt and vanilla and stir to combine. Use a large spatula to stir in nuts, dried fruit, and cereal. Stir until all ingredients are coated with nut butter mixture.

  4. Scrape mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Use the spatula to evenly spread the mixture on the pan. Place a large piece of waxed paper over the mixture and use a rolling pin to smooth the top of the mixture. Cover with the waxed paper and refrigerate for about 2 hours before cutting the energy bars into whatever sizes you prefer.

  5. Wrap bars in waxed paper and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Gluten-Free Reminder

Always make sure your work surfaces, utensils, pans, and tools are free of gluten. Always read product labels. Manufacturers can change product formulations without notice. When in doubt, do not buy or use a product before contacting the manufacturer for verification that the product is free of gluten.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
239 Calories
13g Fat
29g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 239
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 58mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 1mg 3%
Calcium 55mg 4%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 276mg 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.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)