No Bake Apricot Turmeric Lemon Energy Bars (Sugar Free, Vegan + GF)

These No Bake Apricot Turmeric Lemon Bars have a lovely citrusy, tangy flavor and make a super healthy sugar free, vegan and gluten free snack! They are an energizing powerhouse filled with fiber, protein, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

It’s time for a no bake recipe, because well, it’s summer and it’s hot and who really wants to turn on the oven more than necessary, right?

Because I know many of you reading this blog are sugar free, I wanted to make a sugar free snack recipe that still feels like a nice treat. While this recipe isn’t sweet, it is tangy and tart, making it a great afternoon snack or as part of your breakfast without causing blood sugar spikes. So if you’re a citrusy, tangy-treat lovin’ kinda person, this recipe is for you!

If you do want to make these sweeter, you could add a little stevia to keep it sugar free or substitute maple, agave or date syrup in place of the soaking water in the recipe.

Alternatively, you could replace the apricots with dates (or sub half dates/half apricots) to really sweeten these up. I tweaked this recipe from the blog Natalie’s Health, and she uses all dates (no apricots) – which really made for a delicious, naturally sweet dessert or snack that were a huge hit when I made them for my family and for an afternoon event I catered when I was in Hawai’i.

To top these bars off, I used shredded unsweetened coconut. For variety, you could also try adding any of the following:

• cacao nibs
• crushed walnuts
• almond slivers
• chia seeds
• pumpkin seeds

RELATED NO BAKE RECIPES: Healthy Chocolate Orange Oatmeal Cookies (refined sugar free) + Tahini Energy Balls (sugar free, paleo, raw option)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF THESE BARS

With the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest in this recipe, you’re really getting a clean citrusy taste, combined with the unique, enriching flavor of turmeric – a spice known to boost immunity and fight inflammation, along with a whole array of other benefits. Did you know that also adding in at least a pinch of black pepper with turmeric helps activate the main health component of turmeric – called curcumin – and therefore you more easily absorb turmeric’s benefits into your body? Therefore I added just a pinch of pepper in this recipe. You can’t taste it, it’s just there to enhance turmeric’s powerhouse of benefits!

And what about the dried apricots? Dried apricots are filled with dietary fiber, potassium, iron and antioxidants. Chia and walnuts are also rich with fiber, while walnuts and oats are a great source of plant based protein.

I hope you enjoy this easy, no bake, sugar free tangy treat!

INGREDIENTS I USED IN THIS RECIPE:

Sarah Newman, Vegan Chickpea

No Bake Sugar Free Apricot Turmeric Lemon Bars (Vegan + GF)

These No Bake Apricot Turmeric Lemon Bars have a lovely citrusy, tangy flavor and make a super healthy sugar free, vegan and gluten free snack! They are an energizing powerhouse filled with fiber, protein, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. 

15 minPrep Time

15 minTotal Time

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5 based on 1 review(s)

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dried apricots
• 1 cup gluten-free steel cut oats
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tsp organic lemon zest - divided into 1 tsp and 1 tsp
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• pinch of black pepper (you won't taste this, it's included to enhance absorption of turmeric's health benefits)
• 1 Tbsp of the soaking water from the apricots
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut, for dusting
ADDITION TOPPING IDEAS - INCLUDE ALL OR NONE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR VARIETY:
• Cacao nibs
• crushed walnuts
• almond slivers
• chia seeds
• pumpkin seeds

Instructions

1. Soak the dried apricots in hot water for about 5 - 10 minutes. When they've softened, drain the water BUT RESERVE 1 Tbsp of the water. Place the apricots in the food processor.
2. Add all the other ingredients to the food processor except the reserved water, 1 tsp of the lemon zest, coconut and any other toppings you may be including. Blend until the mixture turns into a dough-like consistency.
3. If the mixture is too dry, add the reserved 1 Tbsp of soaking water.
4. In a parchment lined 8x8 dish, add the mixture and press down to evenly distribute the dough. (You may not need parchment, I just find it easiest to cut the bars later.)
5. Top with coconut, remaining 1 tsp of lemon zest and any other desired toppings.
6. Refrigerate at least 2 - 3 hours before serving to firm up. The end result is meant to be soft and sticky. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

Adapted from Natalie's Health

7.8.1.2

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https://veganchickpea.com/no-bake-apricot-turmeric-lemon-energy-bars-sugar-free-vegan-gluten-free/

Sarah Newman, SKN Creations