These Energy Bars are an easy homemade slice packed with dried fruit, Weet-Bix and coconut. They’re simple to prepare and make a handy option when you want something ready to grab and enjoy.
The combination of chewy dried fruit, crushed Weet-Bix and coconut gives the bars plenty of texture. Once sliced into pieces, they’re ideal for lunchboxes, morning tea or an easy snack.
A nut-free energy bar for lunchboxes
I am often asked to share recipes that do not include nuts, many schools and preschools specify that these cannot be in any lunchboxes, so I thought this would be a lovely one to add to the list.
Made with simple ingredients these are lovely served as ‘bars’ or in small square pieces as a slice. The flavours work so well together and there is nothing unusual or hard to buy in the ingredients.
What dried fruit can I use in these energy bars?
You can use any dried fruit you like in this one, I have used a combination of raisins and dried apricots. Currants, dates, cranberries and sultanas would be lovely too. This recipe was found in a kindergarten fundraiser booklet as many great recipes are!
What ingredients do you need for these energy bars?
The ingredients you will need are as follows. Please scroll down to the printable recipe card for full information to make this recipe.
- Butter
- Sugar
- Golden Syrup
- Plain White Flour
- Baking Powder
- Coconut
- Egg
- Dried Fruit (e.g. raisins, sultanas, apricots, currants etc.)
- Weet-bix
What is Weetbix?
Weet-Bix is a whole grain wheat-based breakfast cereal in New Zealand and Australia, in the UK this is known as Wheetabix.
How to make these energy bars
To make this recipe could not be easier. The first step is to melt together the butter, sugar, and golden syrup. I just do this in the microwave in x2 40 second bursts and whisk well to combine the butter and sugar. Then I add the egg and whisk through, and finally mix through all of the dry ingredients.
How long should I bake these energy bars?
Press this firmly into a lined baking tin and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. If you prefer the slice a bit firmer add a few extra minutes onto the timer. I like the inside to be slightly softer so 20 minutes is perfect for me.
How to slice the energy bars neatly
Once cooked remove from the oven and after 5 minutes using a sharp knife slice gently into the pieces you want while the slice is still warm, either in bars or squares. It is much easier to do this while the slice is warm, then allow the slice to cool completely.
How long do these keep fresh for?
If stored in an airtight container these Energy Bars will stay fresh for up to a week. Can store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Can I freeze this slice?
Yes definitely, once cold place in an airtight container and freeze. Will stay fresh for up to 3 months if stored well.
Other slices you could try
If you enjoy easy homemade slices like these Energy Bars, here are a few more delicious slice recipes to try.
Energy Bars recipe
Energy Bars
These Energy Bars combine dried fruit, Weet-Bix and coconut in an easy homemade slice that’s perfect for lunchboxes, morning tea or snacking.
Ingredients
- 125 grams Butter
- 1 Cup Sugar, 205 grams
- 2 Tablespoons Golden Syrup, 30 mls
- 1 Egg, medium, size 7
- 1 Cup Plain White Flour, 150 grams
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 3 1/2 Weetbix, 60 grams
- 1 Cup Desiccated Coconut, 90 grams
- 1 Cup Dried Fruit, 140 grams, any combination of raisins, sultanas, currents, cranberries or apricots
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven to 180C Bake
- Line a 25 x 25 cm baking tin with baking paper, I like to spray cooking spray to help this stick to the tin and set aside.
- In a medium glass or ceramic bowl add the butter, sugar and golden syrup and melt together, I did this in the microwave in 2x 40 second bursts, until the butter has completely melted.
- Stir the melted butter mixture until fully combined
- Add to this the egg and mix well
- Next sift in the flour and baking powder, then add the crushed Weetbix, coconut and dried fruit
- Fold this well to completely combine until to dry ingredients show
- Spoon this into the prepared tin and spread to the edges, smoothing and compacting until even
- Place this in the preheated oven for 20 minutes
- Remove from the oven and allow the slice to cool for 5-10 minutes and slice while still warm with a sharp knife.
- I like to gently score first with the knife in to the size pieces I wish, then go back again and press firmer to slice through.
- Then allow the slice to completely cool before removing from the tin using the baking paper to lift it out onto a cutting board.
- Again with a sharp knife slice through the pieces and then store in an airtight container.
- This slice will freeze well also.
- Enjoy!
Notes
What is Weetbix?
Weet-Bix is a whole grain wheat based breakfast cereal in New Zealand and Australia, in the UK this is known as Wheetabix.
Can I freeze this slice?
Yes definitely, once cold place in an airtight container and freeze. Will stay fresh for up to 3 months if stored well.
How long do these keep fresh for?
If stored in an airtight container these Energy Bars will stay fresh for up to a week. Can store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
Yield 16 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 292Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 8gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 28mgSodium 142mgCarbohydrates 47gFiber 3gSugar 30gProtein 3g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I really hope you love these Energy Bars as much as we do. They are such a simple and handy recipe to have on hand for lunchboxes, morning tea or an easy snack.
If you give this recipe a go, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you in the comments. You can also leave a ⭐ rating in the recipe card above, it really helps others find and enjoy this recipe too.
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Happy baking,
Anna x
Lyn says
Made it today, very simple but extremely yummy.
Will definitely be making again. 🙂
Anna From Just A Mum says
I’m delighted to know you liked them! Anna
Beth says
Made this on a Sunday for school lunches- so easy and tastes so good!
Ann Adams says
Made this today. Used a mixture of Sultanas,dried blueberries,cranberries & Jojo berries. Also cut the sugar back to 3/4 cup. Really nice & not too sweet. Will be making this again.
Andrea says
We are having to go dairy free for my son, is there an alterative we could swap the butter for?
justamumnz says
I’ve not tested any dairy free butters in baking but there is a lot of info online on alternatives that work well. You can also try oil or coconut oil but it may not have the flavour you want, also some people use mashed banana, apple sauce etc too. I’d research the best butter alternative online then test a few yourself.
Alex says
So good! Halved the sugar (so used 1/2 cup) and might reduce a bit more next time as still quite sweet. Lovely, easy and great way to use up the random dried fruit no one wants to finish at the back of the cupboard!