Dried Fruit Bars Recipe:
Healthy Homemade Energy Bars

People are drawn to dried fruit bars, and for good reason. They taste great! This date, nut, apricot, and honey dried fruit bars recipe is quick and easy to make.

A food processor makes short work of chopping the assorted nuts into similar-sized pieces so they bind easily with the honey - or leave the nuts pretty much as they are in the image below the Table of Contents:

Enjoy them as breakfast bars - or a great snack any time of day when you need a quick energy boost - without added sugar. Think of them as being like an ooey-gooey trail mix, but shaped into bite-able bars.

My dried fruit bars are a healthy alternative to store-bought sugary snacks. I use natural, wholesome ingredients like dried dates and apricots, along with mixed salted nuts, and honey.

First things first: dehydrate 20 apricots and 20 to 25 dates... or buy the apricots and dates pre-dried at your local grocery store.

Why You'll Love These Dried Fruit Bars

• Naturally sweet – No added sugars, just wholesome fruit.
• Quick & easy – Simple ingredients, minimal prep.
• Customizable – Swap nuts, fruits, or add chocolate!
• Perfect for on-the-go – Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or workouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

The dried fruit bars recipe top question below is not surprising, I had the same question myself when I made my first batch:

Questions about creative flavor combinations? The key is to experiment and find what works best for your taste buds and needs! See our flavorful colorful combo suggestions further down the page.

Dried Fruit Bars Recipe with Dates, Apricots, Nuts, & Honey - Easy!

Ingredients:

• 20 - 25 dried dates (half of a 10 oz. canister)
  
• 20 dehydrated apricots (or store bought)
  
• 4 oz assorted salted nuts
• honey to combine (between 1-2 fluid oz)

Instructions:

When all your ingredients are mixed together, bake the fruit bars in an oven:

💡 Tip: Use our Fahrenheit to Celsius converter here on our site!

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Prepare your fruit and nut mixture by chopping the dates and apricots into similar-sized pieces.
3. Pulse the assorted nuts in a food processor to break them up a bit (or leave whole).
4. Place in a glass bowl, and add honey until they combine well.
5. Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper and spread the mix evenly on top.
6. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 20 minutes, or until the fruit mixture is dry to the touch, and holds together when pressed.
7. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your mixture.
8. Once done, remove the pan from the oven, let the dried fruit bars cool down to room temperature.
9. Cut into bars and store. And eat.
   

Keep a close eye on your bars while they bake in the oven to prevent them from burning!

After letting them cool, store the dried fruit bars in an airtight container for a longer shelf life. Your taste buds will thank you for this delicious snack!

NOTE: My bars didn't stiffen up as much as I would like (and that's why it's the number 1 FAQ!) I put the cooled-down pan "as is" in the freezer for an hour. That helped!

I then turned the pan upside down onto a cutting board and cut the bars into strips with a paring knife and then vacuum sealed them individually.

Lock in Freshness: Why Use a Food Vacuum Sealer?

Extend shelf life and prevent spoilage with an airtight vacuum seal. Here’s why:
✅ Prevents mold – No air = no bacteria growth.
✅ Saves money – Buy ingredients in bulk and store safely.
✅ Portable snacks – Pre-sealed bars are perfect for road trips!

After chilling the dried fruit bars in the fridge and after unwrapping them after vacuum-sealing, they come out like this:

To keep your fruit bars at peak tastiness, consider using a FoodSaver food vacuum sealer. Doing so makes it easy to write the date on the package. Read more about food vacuum sealers here, and vacuum sealer bags here.

FoodSaver Food Vacuum Sealer Machines Available on Amazon

The FoodSaver machines remove air, one of the main causes of mold and food spoilage - and they create an airtight seal to lock in freshness.

NOTE:
The FoodSaver 4800 Series: An all-in-one vacuum sealing system with built-in handheld sealing for bags and containers. Ideal for families and bulk buyers.

If you want to save money, try these Weston brand food vacuum sealer bags for a 100-count pack. Note that they are 3 mil thick! These are the ones I use.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

A Sweet Treat the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Our dried fruit bars recipe is a delicious treat without the added sugars in commercial fruit and nut bars. They're a perfect choice for nutritionally-minded people because they contain natural sugars and the nuts contain healthy fats.

Here are three popular and delicious fruit combinations often used in a dried fruit bars recipe:

Mix and match dried fruits and nuts based on your personal preferences and what's available to you in the store. Other popular ingredients include dried cherries, raisins, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

You can add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for extra flavor depth.

Check out my easy NO-BAKE version here!

Boost Texture & Binding: Coconut Oil vs. Almond Butter

• Coconut oil adds firmness and a mild tropical flavor.
• Almond butter enhances chewiness and gives a rich, nutty taste.
• Mix both for ultimate texture control!

Best Coconut Oil - Nature’s Way MCT Oil (Amazon pick!) below:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. The price you pay does not increase.  Read disclosure here.

When using coconut oil in your fruit bars, remember that a little goes a long way. You usually only need a tablespoon to get the binding and textural benefits. Too much coconut oil can make the bars look and taste greasy.

DIY Almond Butter: Easy & Fresh!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw almonds (unsalted, unroasted)

Instructions:

1. Optional: Roast almonds at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, then cool.
2. Blend in a food processor – First, it turns to meal, then a thick paste, then creamy butter (10-20 mins total).
3. Scrape sides down as needed.
4. For extra smoothness, add a drizzle of coconut or avocado oil.
5. Store in a jar & refrigerate – Lasts for weeks!

💡 Bonus: Add honey or vanilla for a natural flavor twist!

Check out: Love and Lemons Almond Butter Recipe for more tips!

Making your own almond butter allows you to control the ingredients and texture, plus it can be more economical than buying it from the store. It's a fun and satisfying (but somewhat noisy) kitchen project!

Thanks for stopping by to read all about my dried fruit bars recipe!

Get Your Free Guide to Dehydrating Like a Pro!

Don't forget to grab your free Six Simple Steps eBook! It’s packed with tips for dehydrating everything from fruits and veggies to dog treats. Get it here.