No-Bake Dried Fruit Coffee Bar -- a perfect post-workout snack

D has started working out again: bought a new bike, and has been going on 25-mile rides on weekdays and 50-mile ride on weekends for the past couple month. Believe it or not, one can easily burn over 1500 calories per ride!

To help with a speedy recovery, I made this yummy treat after reading this article about caffeine and cycling.

It took 5 minutes to make, if you discount the shopping trip for dried fruits. I had a piece the day I made it and another piece the next day, as a healthy snack. Honestly, I found it even tastier the day after.

No-Bake Dried Fruit Coffee Bar

makes 12 bars

• 1/3 cup coffee
• 1 1/2 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup chopped dried figs
• 1/4 cup pepitas
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1 Tbsp orange zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Put everything in a food process, and process until it is clumpy.
2. Place the mixture on top of a baking dish lined with plastic wrap, and press until it reaches even thickness.
3. Freeze for about an hour, and slice into 12 slices.

Despite the fact that there is no additional sugar and quite some coffee with cocoa powder, this energy bar had just the right amount of sweetness from the dried figs and dates. 

Nutrition

Each bar comes a little short of 150 calories, providing 4 grams of protein and 25 grams of carbohydrate (4 grams fiber). It is very low in cholesterol and sodium, and a good source of manganese (and of course, fiber). It has a complete amino acid profile, and gives you just the right amount of caffeine kick (12.5mg). 

Cost

I have to be honest: the ingredients are not cheap. The only options for dried fruits and nuts for us at the co-op were organic ones. So be it. Even so, the entire recipe came in a little under $9.00. Of course, spending $0.75 with 5-minute effort is so much better than spending $2.00 on a single Larabar!