Dried Fruit Bars Recipe

Finding health snacks to go alongside your healthy lunch recipes (opens in new tab) can be tricky. When you’re busy, or haven’t had time to pop to the shops it’s tempting to reach for something sweet you’ve got sat in the cupboard.

Or maybe you’re busy at work and just don’t have the time to whip up something healthy to munch on at your desk.

Well, look no further for a healthy solution to any snacking problem, because these fruit bars not only taste great, they’re easily prepared in advance so you can enjoy a sweet treat anywhere without worrying about the unhealthy consequences.

With raisins and dried apricots or cranberries, the dried fruit counts towards your five a day and there’s no added sugar. Plus the addition of bran flakes or rice krispies mean that there are some carbs thrown in there too to fill you up.

You’ll never want anything else for your elevenses snacks again! Just whip up this batch of ten to last you through the week.

HOW TO MAKE DRIED FRUIT BARS

Ingredients

For raisin and ginger bars

• 75g raisins
• 200g dried apricots
• 50g crystalised ginger
• 50g rice krispies

For date and cranberry bars

• 150g dates
• 50g raisins
• 75g dried cranberries
• 50g bran flakes

Method

1. Place your choice of fruit and cereal in a food processor and blend until the mixture begins to clump together.
   
2. Place the mixture on a square of baking parchment and pat into a square about 2cm thick. Wrap tightly and press until firm.
   
3. Leave for a few hours to firm up then cut into about 10 thin bars. These will keep for up to a week in a cake tin.