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Orange High-Energy Oat Bars

45 min

Breakfast

Snack

Freezer-friendly

10 ingredients or less

These energy bars are dense and delicious! They're protein-packed with three different types of nuts, made sweet with dried apricots and some good 'ol Canadian maple syrup, and naturally flavoured with orange zest. They make for a great snack or breakfast on-the-go!

bars

Total

45 min

Prep

15 min

Cook

30 min

Contains

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Swap out

Peanut symbol

peanut

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Sesame symbol

sesame

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Add the pecans to a pan on medium-high heat and toast for 3 - 5 minutes, or until lightly toasted and aromatic. Stir often.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 10 x 7 inch (26 x 17 cm) baking dish with parchment paper.
  3. Add the apricots and toasted pecans to a food processor and blitz into small chunks.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, along with the oats, almond flour, cinnamon, orange zest (save a bit for garnish!), and salt. Stir well.
  5. Then add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix again.
  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press down as firmly as possible, levelling it all out.
  7. Bake on the centre rack of the oven for 25 - 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden. Then let cool for a few minutes before removing from the baking dish to cool completely.
  8. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in the microwave or on the stove, using a double boiler. Drizzle it over the bars.
  9. Sprinkle on some sea salt and reserved orange zest. Cut into 8 squares or about 10 bars, and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use store-bought or make it yourself by adding raw almonds to a food processor and blending into a flour.
  • One orange yields approximately 1 Tbsp of zest.

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to 6 days, and in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Let us know what you think

Plate method

The Plate Method is a visual tool that helps us ensure our dietary needs are on track. Touch the image below to see how this recipe measures up.

Grains & Starches 42%

rolled oats

Proteins 42%

raw pecans

almond flour

peanut butter

Fruits & Veggies 16%

dried apricot

orange zest

Calcium
No significant sources of calcium
Fat

raw pecans

almond flour

peanut butter

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

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Discussion & Rating

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Emmy Thompson - March 18, 2024, 5:42 p.m.

SO tasty!! Loved this recipe -fruity, nutty and a bit chocolaty 👌🏼
Since some reviews said they were a bit dry and crumbly, I decided to add roughly 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice + a tiny splash of plant milk. Perfect consistency!


Patricia Rodriguez Echeverria - March 4, 2024, 10:30 p.m.

I absolutely love this recipe!


Mandy - March 3, 2024, 7:05 p.m.

So, this is going to be one of "those" reviews, but I think, in a good way.
I subbed pecans for Cashews, and apricots for dates. These bars are amazing, and I think the substitutions I used (because that's what I had on hand) just speak to the versatility of this recipe. The orange zest packs such a delicious punch, and I only used the zest of one orange in a double batch of bars.

PUL Team - March 5, 2024, 1:11 a.m.

This sounds lovely, Mandy, thanks for sharing your experience with the bars!


Nathalie Asselin - Feb. 4, 2024, 7:34 p.m.

They are delicious. However the barres are not solid enough for me as I take them while I am driving to the gym.

So I will try them as balls next time to make them easier to eat on the go.


Poiven Capp - Jan. 30, 2024, 7:18 p.m.

I love these bars!! they're a bit on the dry side but if I have them with coffee or plant milk it's a perfect match. will make again!!


Dannie - Jan. 14, 2024, 3:07 a.m.

One of my long time favorite recipes from Pick Up Limes team. Been making these for years.

PUL Team - Jan. 14, 2024, 5:26 a.m.

So glad they've been enjoyed for so long, Dannie, thank you!


Japsowin Kaur - Dec. 8, 2023, 7:31 a.m.

I've made these a few times and they are so wonderfully delicious 🤤🤤 The fruity flavors from the orange and apricots take these bars to the next level. They're incredibly rich and filling and I generally make them ahead of a long journey to keep me full.


Jasmin - Dec. 6, 2023, 10:07 a.m.

Hands down the best dessert i made in a while! They turned out a bit crumbly but melt in your mouth at the same time. Swapped out the apricots for dates and it worked wonderfully. The taste also reminds me so much of a very specific cookie my mom always used to buy although these are much healthier and super filling <3

PUL Team - Dec. 8, 2023, 7:30 p.m.

Such a big compliment, Jasmin, thanks for taking the time to share the glowing review! Dates are a lovely idea too 🤗


Shivani - Dec. 5, 2023, 12:34 p.m.

Loved these when I made them last time. However, I've lots of dried figs that needs to be used up at home.

Do you think I can replace dried apricots with dried figs? Has anyone tried it?

PUL Team - Dec. 8, 2023, 4:32 a.m.

Hey there, Shivani, we haven't tried but imagine you could for a delightful twist. Enjoy the bars if you try it out 🤗


Michele Micha - Nov. 1, 2023, 12:42 a.m.

Just made. Yum!!


Arch S - Oct. 29, 2023, 6:42 a.m.

I can’t wait to try this recipe! Can the dried apricots be replaced with any other fruit? Does it necessarily have to be dried fruit?

PUL Team - Oct. 29, 2023, 9:36 p.m.

Hey Arch! The dried fruit helps give a sweet flavour and stickiness to the bars so they aren't too crumbly. We haven't tested it out, but we've heard positive reviews for dates, dried cranberries, and dried mango in place of the dried apricots. We hope you enjoy the bars if you're able to give them a try 😊

Arch S - Nov. 7, 2023, 5:46 a.m.

Thank you :) if I make this is in a 9x9 baking tray, can I half all the measurements?


Siana Vassileva - Oct. 11, 2023, 3:29 p.m.

i batch made these and they are phenomenal! they smell beyond amazing, everybody askin for the recipe


Prisha - Aug. 8, 2023, 3:11 a.m.

I loveeeeeeeeeeeeee these bars. They are SOOOOOOOOOOOO good (although I use almond butter instead of peanut butter). These are a must try!

PUL Team - Aug. 9, 2023, 12:55 a.m.

Yayy we're so happy the oat bars are being enjoyed, Prisha, thank you!


Rachel S - July 31, 2023, 12:17 a.m.

So damn good 🤤


TT - June 20, 2023, 7:48 p.m.

Wow! Easy to make and so yummy!


Diana - May 7, 2023, 5:11 p.m.

This looks yum and will have to try it out this week! Any chance I can replace the apricots with dried mango? 🤔 Have plenty in the house.

PUL Team - May 8, 2023, 5:05 p.m.

Hey Diana, dried mangos have a denser and stringier texture compared to apricots so I'm not confident it will work as well. The bars may end up more crumbly rather than firm. In case you're interested and haven't already seen it, our Crunchy Almond & Mango Granola recipe uses dried mango: https://www.pickuplimes.com/r… 🤗


Angie - May 3, 2023, 10:37 p.m.

I’m almost 9 months pregnant and just made these… Planned to freeze them and have a healthy, nutritious snack ready postpartum! Might have to do a second batch though - they’re too delicious not to devour straight away!:-) Thanks Sadia & Team!!

PUL Team - May 4, 2023, 9:03 p.m.

Awe thank you, Angie! WIshing you and your soon-to-be little one an abundance of health and wellness 💛


Gillian - May 3, 2023, 6:33 p.m.

I have definitely made these several times and they are one of my favourite recipes. They're amazing and nutritious while being a unique dessert.

Do you happen to have the nutritional information per square (e.g. calories, protein, fat, carbs)? Thank you in advance!

PUL Team - May 4, 2023, 3:27 a.m.

So glad to hear, Gillian! You can find the approximate nutrition information by clicking on the green "show nutrition info" button below the recipe. Kindly note that as the disclaimer mentions, this is an estimate and if you need specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a healthcare professional, such as a dietitian or physician. We hope this helps for now 🤗


Katy - April 15, 2023, 5:29 a.m.

These are my absolute favorite!! You are so gifted! Thank you for spreading joy through cooking into the world!


Sara - April 10, 2023, 3:35 p.m.

Hey from Denmark.
I make these every so often. They are so comforting, filling and delicious. 🤤

PUL Team - April 10, 2023, 6:59 p.m.

Aw thanks Sara! Hugs to Denmark 🤗


Martunia - March 25, 2023, 5:57 p.m.

These are great as a post workout meal 👌 Today I had two of them for tea, though. They're so filling I think I'll skip dinner tonight 😋


Nuria - Feb. 12, 2023, 12:43 p.m.

I love this recipe so much! I have been batch making these and storing them in the fridge for busy mornings. I am a very big eater, especially breakfast, so I usually tripple the amount given for 8 bars, and that gets me enough for 14 bars that are more my size ;)
Thank you for making such great recipes!

x Nuria

PUL Team - Feb. 12, 2023, 10:02 p.m.

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with the bars, Nuria! There is certainly no one size fits all for portions 😃


Karmen - Feb. 12, 2023, 3 a.m.

Dear Sadia,

I normally bake these with half pb and half almond butter. The result is simply otherworldly. Thanks for yummy recipes and high quality videos.

Love from Gran Canaria,

Karmen

PUL Team - Feb. 12, 2023, 9:37 p.m.

Mmm the combination of nut butters sounds delicious! Lots of love to Gran Canaria 😃


Karmen - Feb. 12, 2023, 2:59 a.m.

Dear Sadia,

I normally bake these with half pb and hslf almond butter. The result is simply otherworldly.

Thanks for yummy recipes and high quality videos.

Love from Gran Canaria,

Karmen

PUL Team - Feb. 12, 2023, 5:33 p.m.

Mmm the combo of nut butters sounds delicious, Karmen! Hugs to Gran Canaria 🤗


Kirsten - Feb. 10, 2023, 3:29 a.m.

personally, i'm not much of a breakfast person, but this recipe has me excited to eat in the morning! i love the flavour combo of orange and chocolate and haven't found many recipes that centre it, so i'm really grateful that i found this one.

PUL Team - Feb. 10, 2023, 7:12 a.m.

It's a lovely combo indeed! Thank you so much, Kirsten 😍


Celina - Nov. 2, 2022, 8:34 p.m.

These bars are so incredibly delicious! I love them so much, especially because of the orange flavour, it's not too strong, just perfect. I will surely make these again :-)

PUL Team - Nov. 2, 2022, 10:44 p.m.

We appreciate it so much, Celina! Happy cooking 🤗


Sofia - Oct. 3, 2022, 7:51 p.m.

I absolutely love this recipe! As does everyone I ever make it for! But I find it can be quite hard to cut! Any tips? Xx

PUL Team - Oct. 6, 2022, 2:10 a.m.

So glad they're being enjoyed, Sofia! Allowing the bars to sit and cool and using a sharp knife with firm pressure helps. Sometimes we find wiggling the knife gently can create some separation 😃


Welmoed - Sept. 9, 2022, 12:09 p.m.

Hi, Is it possible to substitute the nutbutter with something else (because my husband is allergic)?

PUL Team - Sept. 10, 2022, 6:33 a.m.

Hi Welmoed, yes if you're not able to use nuts then a seed butter such as sunflower seed butter will do 🙂

Welmoed - Sept. 10, 2022, 6:48 a.m.

Thanks for the tip! 😄


Kellie - Aug. 26, 2022, 8:07 p.m.

These are so easy to throw together. I make them for our road trips to Colorado; they hold up great in an airtight container in the cooler. Perfect snack that will keep you full for hours!

PUL Team - Aug. 28, 2022, 7:21 p.m.

Woop woop! So happy to hear, Kellie, thank you 🤗


Inna - June 20, 2022, 7:13 p.m.

This came out soooo amazing! Thank you so much for this recipe! I don't often use orange zest, I sometimes haven't liked it in the past, but in this recipe, it creates such amazing flavor!! And this comes out sooo pretty!!

PUL Team - June 22, 2022, 3:56 p.m.

We're so thrilled it's being enjoyed, Inna, it means so much 😃


sadie - June 12, 2022, 8 p.m.

I'm so happy to have tried these. This recipe is a hit! The orange and apricot are, as ever, a wonderful complimentary profile duo. I wasn't sure what to expect with a peanut-forward flavor with these fruit flavors, but hear me now and listen to me later: It's amazing!

A few tweaks, I used a 8" x 8" glass baking dish as that was all I had. I needed to push back the bake time (to get that golden crust) to about 40 mins.
Also, in future, I think I'll use less chocolate (I know? What? lol :)
Maybe because my baking container was smaller, I found that I had too much chocolate left over. In any case, this is a lovely recipe, totally freezer-friendly, and I will be making it again. I think it will become a regular in my roster. Thank you Sadia & PUL team! Best, sadie :D

PUL Team - June 15, 2022, 8:19 p.m.

Aw, Sadie, you're much too kind! We're incredibly grateful you've taken the time to share this. Less chocolate with the smaller pan sounds like a lovely idea as well 🙂


Mireia - June 11, 2022, 9:37 p.m.

Very easy to make and really delicious!!


Amber - June 10, 2022, 2:27 a.m.

Delicious! My husband and kids loved these as well.


Karen - April 19, 2022, 6:02 p.m.

Great recipe, made it tonight for the 4th time for my super fast growing teenage son of 15. Fantastic and delicious for a pre-rugby practice snack.
I am diabetic though, type 2, and the syrup is a too much sugar for me. Any ideas to substitute?
Also, in South Africa, real maple syrup is very difficult to come by, and if you do, very expensive, so after the second time I substituted with a golden syrup instead.
Thanks for great recipes!

PUL Team - April 19, 2022, 8:28 p.m.

So glad it's being enjoyed, Karen! You can omit or add less syrup and add more nut or seed butter in its place to ensure the bars aren't too crumbly. For example, omitting the syrup and adding an extra 1/2 cup peanut butter. Other syrups, such as agave work too. We hope this helps for now 😃


Deepthi - April 14, 2022, 11:40 p.m.

Excellent snack.i liked it better with almond butter.With peanut butter, it was too peanutty.All the other tastes were masked.But with almond butter,all the tastes were enhanced.

PUL Team - April 15, 2022, 5:26 a.m.

Thanks for sharing your experience with this one, Deepthi! Nut butter can vary from brand to brand so we'd recommend using less peanut butter if yours tends to have a strong peanut taste to begin with if that's not desired. So glad the bars were enjoyed in any case ☺️


Danna - April 3, 2022, 9:43 p.m.

I have made these chocolate-orange bars for my family many times now, and they are always an amazing breakfast to look forward to. Plus, they are really easy to make :)

PUL Team - April 3, 2022, 11:49 p.m.

It means so much that the bars are being enjoyed, Danna, thank you!


Taniya - March 13, 2022, 8:29 p.m.

This recipe makes wonderful energy bars. Chocolate and orange combination is one of my favourites.

PUL Team - March 14, 2022, 2:35 a.m.

So glad they're being enjoyed, Taniya, thank you!


Marilena - March 10, 2022, 5:54 p.m.

Simply amazing!!! Thanks Sadia, greetings from Greece!

PUL Team - March 11, 2022, 1:38 a.m.

Awe thank you, Marilena, sending lots of love to Greece 💚


Gabriela - Feb. 2, 2022, 11:10 a.m.

Full of goodness! Mmmm, love it!


Maria Rosa - Jan. 27, 2022, 5:06 p.m.

Holaaaaa,

me encantan todas las recetas, todo esta muy bueno y estas barritas son deliciosas

PUL Team - Jan. 27, 2022, 8:37 p.m.

Muchas gracias, Maria Rosa!


Peggy - Jan. 11, 2022, 7:11 p.m.

I’ve recently found ‘YouTube’ and this is my first channel and I just love it. The added website is amazing! This is my first recipe and it is scrumptious. I’m brand new at this life style after a life time of feeling like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole and I feel like I’ve found my ‘place’ and it’s amazing to get this level of information and such kindness. Being new, I wish that we could have a tutorial in how to grab recipes and save them to one place. Recipes from here but from anywhere. There are so many apps but it’s overwhelming and I would love to be able to quickly find the ones i love - would you ever consider that as a show idea?

Peggy - Jan. 11, 2022, 11:50 p.m.

Well, I just tasted my bars and I must have done something wrong. This is my first vegan recipe so if anyone has an idea, I’d appreciate any help. Instead of turning out like a bar, it actually resembles granola - it sticks together but breaks apart like granola and us quite dry what did I do wrong?

PUL Team - Jan. 12, 2022, 4:42 a.m.

Hi there, Peggy! Thank you for the kind words, and a very warm welcome to the PUL community 🤗 We're sorry to hear about the bar texture - how disappointing! Were the ingredients listed used in the same quantities? If so, sometimes the mixture might be more on the dry side based on the other ingredients. If the mixture seemed dry before baking, more nut butter or syrup may have helped. Another possibility is perhaps the bars weren't fully cooled? Allowing the pan to cool completely helps the mixture to harden up after baking. We hope this helps for now, Peggy, and happy baking!

Peggy - Jan. 13, 2022, 3:42 a.m.

I’m new at this but I actually did everything you suggested but what I wondered is that maybe I didn’t blitz the almonds long enough til they were flour like? Could that do it. I had never done that before and it was a bit - well it wasn’t like flour -mi may have also cooked it a bit longer like an extra 5 min as I wasn’t sure if it was done - so next time< I’m going to try dates and ready oatmeal as it shouldn’t suck up as much of the moisture - I thought of using some Aquafaba from chick peas, i read,if you whip it first it will help bind, I haven’t given up - I absolutely love all the amazing recipes and can’t wait to try them and start using them every day. I’m always iron deficient so I started using the choc nubs and they have a high magnesium and iron, I now have the oats with a sprinkling on them and a teaspoon of sliced almond every morning. Such an amazing job you are all doing, completely changing my life 😘 Thank You! 🌝 for answering.

PUL Team - Jan. 13, 2022, 11:22 p.m.

Hey, Peggy! Hmm yes blitzing up the almonds into a flour consistency may help do the trick. This will help promote a more consistent texture and overall absorption of liquids. Aquafaba indeed helps to bind, although if you're finding the mixture dry initially more peanut butter or syrup might be a bit more neutral-tasting in this one. It sounds like you're doing an incredible job looking into things and experimenting! Just in case you're interested and haven't already seen it, we have an article on iron here: pickuplimes.com/article/iron-…. Happy cooking and thank you for being here, Peggy 🌻


Clara - Jan. 9, 2022, 5:02 a.m.

This tastes like heaven. When I do this recipe, I just wanna eat it all. My advice: TRY THIS.

PUL Team - Jan. 10, 2022, 2:40 a.m.

Thanks a bunch for the incredible review, Clara!


Ava Maes - Jan. 8, 2022, 3:40 p.m.

I'm simply addicted to these bars, thanks for sharing this amazing recipe!


Dalia - Dec. 11, 2021, 6:07 a.m.

This is one of my favorite healthy breakfast recipes! I make it for myself and my toddler, and we both love it :)

To make it just a little healthier for an everyday breakfast, I like to take out the chocolate and maple syrup, and then add around 1/2 cup extra peanut butter to keep it from being too crumbly.

I've also tried variations of this recipe by replacing the apricots with cranberry and dried mango, replacing the pecans with pistachios, and adding cashew butter instead of peanut butter. I think it's a great base recipe for making all different types of bars.

Thanks from me and my little one to Sadia and team for such a heartwarming recipe!

PUL Team - Dec. 11, 2021, 10:40 p.m.

Oh, Dalia, this means so much! Thank you for taking the time to share the kind words and modifications. Sending an abundance of love to you and your little one 💚

Dalia - Dec. 13, 2021, 1:04 a.m.

Thank you and you are so welcome! <3


sadie - Nov. 24, 2021, 11:42 p.m.

These look great, yet I'm concerned about using 1/2 maple syrup (a lot of sugar and it's costly ...eep). I recognize quantities in recipes serve a purpose (structure, texture, volume). Would scaling back to 1/3 markedly compromise? Thoughts? I hope to make for a birthday treat for a family member! :D Many thanks! I love your content (especially the food science and cooking tips! :)

PUL Team - Nov. 25, 2021, 6:31 p.m.

Hey Sadie, thanks for the kind words! The syrup gives the bars a delcious sweetness in addition to stickiness to help them stick together. If it's desired to experiment with less syrup and you find the mixture too crumbly, adding more nut butter or perhaps pureed dried fruit could help the bars stick together more. We hope this helps! We're so grateful a PUL recipe is being considered for the special occasion☺️

Peggy - Jan. 13, 2022, 3:43 a.m.

I also wondered about one or two mashed up bananas?

PUL Team - Jan. 13, 2022, 11:26 p.m.

We haven't tested it out so we can't say with certainty, although we'd love to hear how it goes if you experiment with it, Peggy! You may need a bit more nut butter or apricot to help the base stick together.


Sonia - Nov. 23, 2021, 9:12 p.m.

This is a lovely autumn/winter snack! I didn't have almond flour but used some coconut flour instead, turned out great! Thank you for the recipe! :D

PUL Team - Nov. 24, 2021, 8:17 p.m.

Thanks for the insight, Sonia! We're so thrilled the bars were enjoyed ✨


Margrit - Nov. 14, 2021, 5:16 p.m.

All my love!


Goody - Nov. 12, 2021, 6:28 a.m.

hello I am planning on making this for my girls for school lunch boxes. could I use coconut butter instead of peanut/almond/ cashew butter?

PUL Team - Nov. 13, 2021, 2:35 a.m.

Hi Goody, thanks for the question! Any nut or seed butter will work, although will impact the taste and texture slightly. Coconut butter tends to be sweeter and creamier than nut butters so it may be helpful to add the maple syrup afterwards to taste in step five, or halve the recipe to try it first. If you're looking for a nut-free option and are interested, sunflower seed butter will better match the flavour profile of the nut butter. We hope this helps for now and you enjoy the recipe if you experiment with it 😃


Victoria E - Nov. 6, 2021, 5:17 p.m.

These were great! I agree with another viewer that the bars taste like something you're getting away with. I didn't have enough oats, so subbed in the remainder with almond flour. Used dried cranberries and a sprinkling of crystalized ginger, subbed cashews for pecans, and left off the zest (didn't have any) and chocolate (decided it didn't need it/effort). I was very cautiously optimistic based on my degree of substitutions but they turned out wholesome yet amazingly decadent! I can't wait to make these again, but now I'm completely out of oats. Also, to address the crumbling issue, I actually stored these bars cut up in the freezer and used some parchment paper between layers. Just let them thaw out for about 10 minutes and they're perfect! Thank you again, Sadia and PUL team!

PUL Team - Nov. 6, 2021, 7:10 p.m.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the bars, Victoria! The insight is so appreciated and we're so happy they were enjoyed 🤗


Adriana - Nov. 6, 2021, 5:09 p.m.

Awesome!


Madison - Nov. 4, 2021, 11:59 p.m.

OMG these are my new favourite baked goods...EVER! I added about 11g of orange zest and used 10g extra of chocolate (half semi-sweet half unsweetened) and dates instead of dried apricots. They are bursting with flavour and perfectly satisfy my sweets craving without leaving me feeling gross and heavy afterwards. I can't way to make these again!!!

PUL Team - Nov. 5, 2021, 12:10 a.m.

Ooo a wonderful idea to change up the recipe, Madison, thank you for sharing! ☺️


casey - Oct. 8, 2021, 1:32 p.m.

lovely!


Leila - theedgyfoodie - Oct. 2, 2021, 5:42 p.m.

This is my go-to protein snack !! So easy to make and incredibly delicious!! Perfect for make ahead and freezer-friendly!!

I use almod butter instead due to a peanut allergy and I skip the dark chocolate, just a personal preference :)

PUL Team - Oct. 2, 2021, 10:57 p.m.

A lovely substitution, Leila, thank you for taking the time to share with us!


Maria - Oct. 2, 2021, 8:42 a.m.

Absolutely love this recipe! These oat bars have been a staple in my household ever since I made them the first time, now I always make a huge batch and freeze half so I have them on hand for busy days - or when I just want a delicious snack;) I either enjoy the bars as they are, or crumbled on top of some vegan yogurt for a super filling breakfast.

I normally switch out the apricots for dates and the peanut butter for almond and cashew butter and they turn out amazing every time! I really love how flexible the recipes are, and the alternative suggestions they give. Thank you PUL for another great recipe!

PUL Team - Oct. 2, 2021, 10:56 p.m.

Oh, Maria, we appreciate this so much! So glad the oat bars are being enjoyed. Thank you for the kind words and substitution ideas 😃


Beatriz - Sept. 29, 2021, 8:05 p.m.

Just tried these and were AMAZING! Loved the ingredients' combination and oh, the scent in the kitchen 😍


Nat - Sept. 8, 2021, 6:06 a.m.

These were delicious! I may have not used enough peanut butter, because my bars were crumbly and fell apart easily but I’m still gonna eat them! Chomp!
Thank you for your glorious recipes 🤩

PUL Team - Sept. 8, 2021, 6:08 p.m.

Hi Nat! So glad the bars were enjoyed. We do recommend a cup of peanut butter and 1/2 cup of maple syrup to help with the stickiness. Feel free to add more if desired though 😊


Kellan - Aug. 23, 2021, 7:25 p.m.

I never leave reviews but I loved these SO MUCH that I had to come here and say THANK YOU!
This is such a delicious, simple and weekly recipe for me now. I am noticing a huge difference in my gut health because of these recipes!
I've been a huge fan of PUL's YouTube channel for years and I am so thankful to have this recipe in my back pocket when I need something energizing and filling. Thank you thank you thank you-- you should absolutely try this recipe!

Few alterations I made: I used lemon instead of orange, Justin's almond butter instead of peanut butter (due to allergy), and walnuts instead of pecans--it turned out great! Definitely recommend using a food processor in the first step, helps break down the nuts and prevents the bars from breaking once they're cooked :)

PUL Team - Aug. 25, 2021, 6:09 a.m.

Aw, Kellan, thank YOU for being here and sharing your kindness 💚 It means so much! Love the modifications for the recipe too 😃


Michelle - July 29, 2021, 8:07 a.m.

Super tasty! I swapped out the apricots for dates and peanut butter for almond butter since that was what I had on hand and it worked out great with a perfect consistency! Next time, I'm going to try with the prescribed ingredients but I just wanted to share my experience with other readers of this versatile recipe. Thank you so much for helping so many people gain a healthy and fun relationship with food - I love your Youtube channel and this website (which is the most useful and practical recipe website I've ever encountered). Warm regards from Sweden!

PUL Team - July 30, 2021, 12:31 a.m.

Aw, you're too kind, Michelle! We love how this one is so flexible too 🤩 Thank YOU for helping make our PUL family so special. Hearing this means so much more than we can express. Hugs to Sweden 🥰


Valerie - July 29, 2021, 2:56 a.m.

Incredibly easy and delicious! I used lime zest and dates instead of orange zest and dried apricots (since that's all I had at the time and was too impatient to try this recipe!) so I put a dairy-free white chocolate drizzle on top instead to complement the lime and it worked well. Since then I've made it with the orange zest, apricots, and dark chocolate and it was equally as delightful. Do yourself a favor, make this with whatever you have in your kitchen today! Your tastebuds will thank you.

PUL Team - July 29, 2021, 11:49 p.m.

Mmm delightful substitutes, Valerie, thanks a bunch for sharing! We appreciate the review so much ☺️


Marisa - July 24, 2021, 8:17 p.m.

I have made this recipe already 4 times now, really my all-time favorite for busy work weeks. For me, the combination of chocolate and orange is just 🤤. Never lasts long if this one is on the counter!

PUL Team - July 26, 2021, 7:46 p.m.

Woo! We're so thrilled to hear you're enjoying the bars, Marisa 🤗


Heather - July 24, 2021, 6:42 p.m.

Made this many, many times. It is amazing and delicious.


Charlene Hudson - July 23, 2021, 6:25 p.m.

What can I substitute for the almond flour? We have a family member who cannot eat almods, but this recipe looks so delicious, and I would really like to make it.

PUL Team - July 25, 2021, 8:47 p.m.

Hi Charlene, we've heard some positive reviews with using oat flour! Do let us know if you experiment or give it a try 😊


Sarah - July 23, 2021, 6:32 a.m.

I love these breakfast bars. They're referred to in our house as "the bars that make you feel like you're getting away with something," because you feel like you're eating a sweet for breakfast


Kelly - July 22, 2021, 6:37 p.m.

Loved these so much. Only change I made was to just stir in some vegan chocolate chips into the mix instead of drizzling melted chocolate over the top.


Stacy - July 22, 2021, 12:44 a.m.

I’ve made these bars a few times. Very yummy!


Carolina Granados - July 21, 2021, 7:41 p.m.

Love it!


Emma - July 14, 2021, 7:25 p.m.

This one is AMAZING!! LOVE IT <33


Lucy - July 11, 2021, 5:38 p.m.

delicious... these will stick to your ribs and carry you through the day! want to make again and again... 🤎

PUL Team - July 16, 2021, 2:40 p.m.

We appreciate the review, Lucy, thank you for sharing!


Lauren - July 10, 2021, 10 p.m.

I LOVE these bars. They are easy to make and last a long time if you put them in the fridge. They are perfect for on the go or if you want to add some delicious flavour to your yogurt. I have made these a few times and always enjoy them. They are also yum with a glass of milk. ;) Check out all their recipes, refer all your vegan friends for these nutrient and flavor packed recipes. Pick Up Limes works so hard to create these recipes. Thank you guys!

PUL Team - July 16, 2021, 4:11 a.m.

Aw you're too sweet, Lauren, your support means so much! We're so glad you enjoyed the oat bars as well 💝


Claudia Listyo - July 10, 2021, 5:17 p.m.

So good & filling! Perfect for pre workout snack. I made it twice already! Thank you for the recipe😍


Gabrielle - July 9, 2021, 4:52 p.m.

Super simple and easy to adapt to what you have on hand! These make a great snack or breakfast, but definitely make sure not to skip the chocolate!


Ruben M.C - July 8, 2021, 11:10 p.m.

Already made it twice, my family eats this as a treat!


Shuchita - July 4, 2021, 1:32 p.m.

I gave it a try even when I was in serious lack of ingredients.
No orange zest, so used lime zest.
No dried apricots so used mix of raisins and dates.
Walnuts instead of pecans.
Skipped the chocolate part.
I also messed up a bit because I made oats flour instead of using it whole.
It still came out great. It is quite crumbly, but when freezed, it holds its shape.
Someday I'll try to follow the recipe as it is without any modification :D

PUL Team - July 4, 2021, 6:14 p.m.

Hi there, Shuchita! We're so glad you were able to adapt the recipe to what was accessible to you and the bars were enjoyed 😃 Happy cooking ✨


Ricky - June 18, 2021, 6:23 a.m.

We love this recipe! We've made it many times. We often taken it with us as hiking snacks, so we leave the garnishes off and mix them in instead. Mini dark chocolate chips mixed in taste phenomenal 😋
For some inexplicable reason, a couple of times we've made this it has turned out very crumbly. Like you could barely hold a bite in your hand, let alone a bar. However, whenever this happens we just use it as granola and enjoy it immensely 😁 (We occasionally break up bars to turn them into granola if they aren't crumbly enough to start with. It tastes really good...)
P.S. This new site is magnificent, even with the occasional unobtrusive ad. I make all recipes based on weight, so I really appreciate that the metric conversions are much more accurate on this new site as well. Also, I use your recipes all the time and I've noticed at least a couple places where you have edited the recipes for this new site. Way to go! I think the edits are great, and it also shows how much you care about delivering the highest quality recipes possible. Thank you so much! You've made being vegan so much more doable and enjoyable! 😋😁

PUL Team - June 21, 2021, 5:32 a.m.

Hello Ricky, thank you so much for this incredible feedback! For the bars being occasionally crumbly, perhaps they may not be pressed firmly enough into the baking dish? We're so grateful for the review and support 🥰


Cris S - June 5, 2021, 4:58 p.m.

This was amazing! I used it as a dessert and it lasted for two weeks in the fridge! I replaced the orange zest with glazed zest and reduced the maple syrup consequently and it gave it an amazing flavor!

PUL Team - June 5, 2021, 10:05 p.m.

So glad you enjoyed the energy bars, Cris! Lovely ideas to modify the recipe :D


Louise Magnusson🇸🇪 - May 17, 2021, 6:23 p.m.

Oh dear, another winner recipe for a chocolate lover🤤. I’m afraid that I’ll succumb to gluttony🤣
I was surprised that this bar didn’t feel heavy, albeit filling, despite the variety and forms of nuts. It’s really an optimised recipe: sublime flavour pairing of orange, vanilla, and salt (really good: it breaks off the sweetness👏🏼) in addition to a wonderful chewy texture. It’s amazing how a solid bar can “melt” inside the mouth.
A strong recommendation from my part: try to eat it directly from the freezer😲. The larger amount of fats prevents the bars from being completely frozen, and you’ll experience an extra flavour dimension. It’s almost like eating an ice cream🤩. Be careful though with your first bite😉

PUL Team - May 20, 2021, 10:37 p.m.

We're so appreciative of this review, Louise, you're incredible!! 😃 So thrilled to hear you enjoyed the bars and what a lovely recommendation. Happy cooking ✨🥰


Rachel - May 16, 2021, 11:57 p.m.

I tried this recipe and the bars are really crumbly. I think it's because I don't have a food processor. I tried to cut everythig finely, but maybe it wasn't enough...They taste really good though!! :)

PUL Team - May 17, 2021, 6:49 a.m.

Hi there, Rachel! Thank you for sharing your review with us 😃 The crumbliness may have been due to the chopping. You might have done the following suggestions already, but if you give the recipe another try, we'd recommend to:
1) Add more peanut butter or maple syrup if the mixture seems too dry initially
2) Ensure the mixture is pressed firmly down in the pan before baking
3) Let the baking pan cool completely to allow the mixture to harden up after baking

Super glad the bars tasted good despite the crumbiness though 🙂


Melissa - May 5, 2021, 6:48 a.m.

This recipe sounds great. What could be User instead of dried apricots and other dried fruits? They are very hard to get here, seems unpossible :(

PUL Team - May 8, 2021, 10:27 p.m.

Hey Melissa, that's a lovely question! The dried fruit helps add a bit of sweetness and stickiness to the mixture. You could leave it out and add a bit more nut butter or maple syrup if you're finding the mixture not sticking together as well. Let us know how it goes if you experiment with this one 😃

Ricky - June 18, 2021, 6:09 a.m.

The first time we made this recipe we used apricots, but ever since then we've used raisins and we actually like it a lot better. Maybe that could work for you 😁


Kerry - April 20, 2021, 5:40 p.m.

Best oat bars I've ever tasted! Added a little orange flavouring to boost the zestiness. So good.

Kerry - April 20, 2021, 5:41 p.m.

Oh and I added a bit of buckwheat for crunch.

PUL Team - April 22, 2021, 2:46 a.m.

Lovely idea, Kerry! Thanks for sharing :D


Nethraa - April 10, 2021, 10:11 p.m.

Hi Sadia and crew, I'm a huge fan of all your work!! I have the unfortunate case of being allergic to oranges so any substitute for the orange zest that might still go well with chocolate? Would stewed berries or thinly sliced apple work instead? Or some more dried fruits such as dried figs? Racking my brain trying to figure this out. Lots of love and support to you all, greetings from Dublin :)

PUL Team - April 11, 2021, 12:43 a.m.

Hello Nethraa! Thanks for the kind words and question. You could exclude the orange zest, or alternatively use a different fruit! Stewed berries, strawberries, apples, or mango would probably go well. Dried fruit or coconut flakes are other great options! Sending lots of love to Dublin. Let us know if you give any of the ideas a try 😃


Eva - April 2, 2021, 4:53 p.m.

I love these and I make them so often! They are my favourite snack! I even made them for my family in Greece when i visited last summer and they were super impressed. By the way, the new website looks amazing! Sending many greetings from Amsterdam :)

PUL Team - April 3, 2021, 1:51 a.m.

Aww, thanks for the awesome review, Eva! We're so glad you're enjoying the new website. Sending many greetings back to Amsterdam 😃