Why buy energy bars when you can make it at home with a little effort? Energy bars or nutrition bars are a great source of instant food while travelling, cycling/ running and excellent for an afternoon munch in the office to beat the 4 o’clock hunger. These are also the best option to dodge junk food when hungry, especially for kids and health freaks. But for an average person buying energy bars regularly is truly a costly affair. So, this is my version of these mighty homemade energy bars made with all-natural and wholesome ingredients that will serve the purpose of instant nutrition whenever necessary while balancing the books. Here you go!

Ingredients:
Oats: 1 cup
Dates: 1 cup (Chopped)
Cashew nuts: 1 cup (Chopped roughly)
Almonds: 1 cup (Chopped roughly)
Peanuts: 1 cup
Raisins: 1 cup
Dry Figs: Half cup (Chopped)
Walnuts: 1 cup (Chopped roughly)
Jaggery: 1 and a half cup (if using powder or half portion of the Jaggery ball)
Honey: Half cup
Cinnamon powder: 1 teaspoon
Nutmeg powder: 1 teaspoon
Salt: 1 teaspoon

Preparation: 45 minutes to an hour, multiple servings.

Step 1: Add the chopped dates into a blender and blend them into a paste. Do not add water while blending.

Step 2: Heat a pan and roast the oats and dry fruits (cashews, peanuts, almond and walnuts) one by one and keep them aside.

Step 3: Wipe the pan with a clean cloth and add the jaggery. Once the jaggery is half melted add date paste and salt, stir it until the jaggery melts completely. Here I used a locally made date jaggery that is spiced up with ginger and black pepper. Keep the gas in a low flame.

Step 4: Now add the oats and all dry fruits one by one and mix them well. Add honey and sprinkle the cinnamon and nutmeg powder. Stir it constantly until all the ingredients are bonded with each other and you get a thick sticky texture.

Step 5: Grease a steel tray or a baking tray with oil and put butter paper on it. Grease the butter paper as well. Now transfer the mixture into the tray and spread it evenly. Press it with a flat bottomed small bowl or if you can bear the temperature press it with your palm to set it. Once it comes to room temperature refrigerate it for an hour and let it be firm.

Step 6: After 1-2 hours take it out of the fridge and transfer the firm block on a chopping board or on a clean hard surface. Cut it according to your preferred size and store them in an airtight container.

Enjoy these nutrition bars whenever you are hungry. The jaggery has added a unique taste without dominating the sweetness of its own.

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