Nut & Fruit Delight Copycat KIND Bars

Packed with nuts, seed, and dried fruits, these homemade copycat KIND bars are truly addictive. They are healthier than the original bars and super easy to make.

In an effort to keep my diet clean and healthy, I’ve gotten used to over the years making my own snack bars and have a good collection of delish recipes.

With this said, I can’t deny the fact that some store-bought one still taste good to me, KIND bars being one of them. Being as good as they are, these do contain added sugar and a few other ingredients I don’t want in my snacks,including soy lecithin and palm kernel oil.

As an alternative to one of my favorite snack bars, I have come up with a copycat recipe that tastes better than the original.

For me, it’s important to be prepared and have a filling snack with me when I am on the go, as I tend to get hungry between meals. As long as I have these ‘healthified’ bars with me, I don’t need to rely on convenience stores to buy (not so healthy) snacks.

Why this recipe works:

No-baking. It takes a few minutes to prepare the mixture and a couple of hours for it to firm up in the fridge.

Healthy. These homemade snack bars don’t contain refined sugar and unhealthy fats. They are also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Easy to customize. You can use nuts, seeds, or mix-ins of choice.

My soft and chewy bars are a mix of nuts, dried fruits, seeds, nut and coconut butter. They are the perfect snack on the go, if you need instant energy but don’t want to feel too full, as they contain healthy carbs,proteins, and fat.

You can prep these homemade bars in 15 minutes as they contain only 7 ingredients, and you don’t even need a blender or food processor to make them. In fact, they are so easy to make and don’t require baking, which means the bars can be enjoyed raw.

My copycat recipe features a combination of my favorite healthy ingredients, including nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Aside from adding color and flavor, dried fruits also add fiber, minerals, and vitamins to them. I like using raisins and cranberries. Chop them into smaller pieces for easy mixing.

Nut and coconut butter. They hold the bar together as once chilled they become solid and act like glue. Don’t confuse coconut butter with coconut oil though as they are very different.

I have included a homemade coconut butter recipe in notes. You can use it in many awesome ways and its so incredibly healthy. Its  a good thing to have on hand. I dollop it on EVERYTHING!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword clean eating dessert or snack, copycat kind bar recipe, fruit and nut kind bar recipe, healthy nut bars, nut fruit copycat kind bars

Servings 12

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups almonds, walnuts or a mix chopped roughly
• 1 cup raisins, cranberries or any other dried fruit
• 3/4 cup seed - hemp, sesame, pumpkin, sunflower
• 1/4 cup peanut (or any nut) butter
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup coconut butter - store bought or recipe below in notes
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

• Line an 8 x 8” baking pan or dish with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the bars out easier for cutting.

  In a large mixing bowl, combine your nuts, dried fruit and seeds and mix well.

  In a small microwave dish place nut butter, honey and coconut butter and gently melt in 30 second bursts at 50% power and stir together. Or you can use a small saucepan on the stovetop.

  Once melted, add to the nut/fruit/seed mixture and mix until well combined. You want all ingredients to be coated in the ‘gluey’ ingredients that hold the bars together.

  Transfer the mixture to the lined pan and press firmly into place. Refrigerate until firm.

  When the bars are firm use the parchment paper handles to lift out the bars and cut into 14-16 or more smaller squares.

  TO STORE. While these homemade snack bars won’t go bad at room temperature, I recommend you store them in the fridge to prevent them from falling apart.

  TO FREEZE. Freeze your copycat bars for up to 2 months.

Notes

If you are anywhere near the health food or fitness circles, you have no doubt heard of coconut oil by now.

But have you ever heard of coconut butter? Oh my gosh is it good. It tastes like the most delicious, decadent, oh-so-bad-for-you treat.

Except, it’s not. It’s actually good for you. In fact, coconut butter packs a boatload of benefits:

It’s rich in lauric acid, which boosts immunity and destroys harmful bacteria, viruses, and funguses.

It actually boosts your metabolism, which aids in weight loss and increases energy levels.

Its a superb ingredient for protecting and replenishing the hair and skin

It’s packed with healthy fats, so you feel full longer.

It’s full of essential amino acids, calcium, and magnesium.

Basically, coconut butter is just plain awesome.

It’s so creamy, buttery, naturally sweet and full of nutrients, and it’s hard to believe that this tasty Homemade Coconut Butter from Scratch is made with one ingredient!

You may not know this, but a jar of high-quality coconut butter can be expensive. Yes, that is one of the reasons that you should make you own - it’s unbelievably easy.

Besides being incredibly good for you, coconut butter greatly enhances the creamy texture of desserts, smoothies, ice creams, fudge and hot beverages. Even a spoonful out of the jar is not a bad thing.  😊

Once you start using it, you'll find many other ways to sneak it into your diet. 😉

Go here for the recipe:  Homemade Coconut Butter 

 

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites