Pear Apricot Snack Bars

February 23, 2018 14 Comments

Oh how I love easy, make ahead breakfasts that I can take on the go. When things are this busy, they are truly a life saver. These pear apricot snack bars are an updated version of the apple almond energy bars I made last year and I love them. This version has lots of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influence that would make both of my Nanas really happy. The pear, dried apricots, honey and warm spices were so perfect together!

To really bring out their flavor, I toasted the oats and pecans first. It took 5-10 minutes for them to become really fragrant.
After that, the mixture for the pear apricot snack bars came together really easily and quickly in my food processor. I just pureed all of the ingredients together. It became a simply gorgeous, sticky dough with loads of flavor. My favorite little touch was a nod to Jeanie. I used a little mahlab for some great spice and it was always one of her favorites. It’s a traditional Middle Eastern spice used a lot in pastry and baking.
An 8 x 8 pan was the perfect size for this recipe. Because the mixture was so sticky, I lined it with parchment and made sure that there were big flaps on the sides to easily lift it out. I also had the flaps do double duty by pressing the mixture out with the flaps folded on top. That way my hands didn’t get all sticky and there also wouldn’t be big finger marks all over the bars.
When they came out of the oven, oh my goodness these babies were glorious. They were firmed up but still chewy. That’s why it was important to make them even and perfect before they baked, because there was no puffing up or anything. The baking merely cooked them through.

I sealed them up in a container and voila! I had yummy, healthy breakfast for the week with very little effort. The flavors were so wonderful with the sweet pears, crunchy oats and apricots. They also were so filling and substantial for a great start to the day or afternoon pick me up. I hope you all love them as much as I do! xoxo

Pear Apricot Snack Bars
Pear Apricot Snack Bars
Pear Apricot Snack Bars
Pear Apricot Snack Bars
5 from 1 vote
Pear Apricot Snack Bars
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Pear Apricot Snack Bars
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

I love how these pear apricot snack bars are so easy to make ahead over the weekend for a satisfying, yummy breakfast or afternoon snack all week! They have lots of substance and flavor. 

Course: Snack
Keyword: Fruit, Oats, Snack Bars
Servings: 8 bars
Calories: 115 kcal
Author: Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 whole pears cored and diced
  • 1 1/2 cups dried apricots
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mahlab found in spice shops and online
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground flax seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350. Line a sheet tray and spread the oats and pecans out on it in a single layer. Toast them in the oven for 5-10 minutes, until they get really fragrant. Take the tray out but leave the oven on when they're done. Let them cool for a couple of minutes, then set up a food processor. Combine the oats and pecans in the processor bowl with the diced pears, apricots, brown sugar, cinnamon, mahlab, flax seeds and honey. Pulse it all together thoroughly until it is a sticky, uniform mixture.
  2. Get out an 8 x 8 baking dish and line it with parchment paper. Make sure there is enough to have flaps hanging over the sides, which makes lifting the bars out of the pan a cinch. Use a spatula to spread the mixture into a perfect, even layer in the pan. Fold the flaps of parchment paper over the mixture and press it out on the parchment paper so that it isn't sticky on your hands. Bake the mixture for 20 minutes, then take it out and let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Slice the mixture into bars by making 3 equal vertical slices, then making a horizontal cut halfway down. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Pear Apricot Snack Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 115 Calories from Fat 33
% Daily Value*
Fat 3.7g6%
Saturated Fat 0.4g3%
Sodium 2mg0%
Potassium 192mg5%
Carbohydrates 20.1g7%
Fiber 3.8g16%
Sugar 9.4g10%
Protein 2.3g5%
Calcium 20mg2%
Iron 0.7mg4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)