Have you ever wondered how to blend, shape, and bake energy bars? The makers of Clif Bar shared their tips and techniques for making snack bars using oats, nut butter, and a variety of dried fruits. See the step-by-step instructions, so you can be empowered to make your own for post-workout snacks, road trips, or for any time you're on the go.
Choose Your Mix-Ins
Dried fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, coconut shavings, and more are great add-ins for energy bars.
Fill About 1 Heaping Cup
Using too many mix-ins can lead to a dry bar. Limit the amount to about 1 heaping cup. My team opted for cashews, coconut shavings, dried cherries, dried pomegranate seeds, and dried blueberries.
The Dry Mix
Clif Bar uses a mixture of rice puffs, soy flour, roasted soybeans, rolled oats, and salt in its original energy bars.
The Wet Mix
As for the wet mix, Clif Bar uses brown rice syrup, cane syrup, milled flaxseed, date paste, and soy butter (or peanut butter).
Step 1: Blend the Wet
In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the wet ingredients for about 30 seconds.
Step 2: Add the Dry
Beat the dry ingredients into the wet for about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the Dry
Beat until all the ingredients come together.
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
Step 3: Add the Mix-Ins
Beat in the mix-ins for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on how finely chopped you want the dried fruits and nuts.
Step 4: Transfer to a Well-Oiled Cutting Board
Use an oil spray (vegetable or coconut) to spray down a cutting board, a plastic bowl scraper, and your hands. Transfer the energy bar "dough" to the cutting board with the help of the greased bowl scraper.
Step 5: Form a Log
Form a log that's about the length of the cutting board.
Step 5: Form a Log
Step 6: Cut Into 9 Equal Pieces
Use a greased metal bench scraper to cut the "dough" into 9 equal pieces.
Step 7: Shape and Transfer to a Baking Sheet
Carefully press and form each of the 9 pieces into rectangular bars with the help of the bowl scraper and bench scraper. Transfer them to a half-sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a Silpat. Bake at 300°F for about 20 minutes, or until the bars turn lightly brown and are firm to the touch.
Step 8: Cool and Package
While Clif gave us a nifty packaging, simply wrap each individual bar in plastic wrap or small ziplock bags.
Step 9: Re-Create at Home!
Here are a few recipes to re-create at home:
- cashew go-bars [2]
- White House fruit and oatmeal bars [3]
- 20 homemade energy bar recipes [4]
- triple-berry granola bars [5]
- peanut butter and chocolate chip granola bars [6]
- crunchy granola bars [7]
