Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (2024)

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Homemade Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars are the perfect back to school treat! Kids and adults will gobble up these bars!

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (1)

Labor Day is over which means it’s time to get back to school and back to the grind. I tried to ignore it for as long as I could, but I can’t pretend anymore! School is in full swing and that means it’s time to wake up early, pack school lunches, do homework, and go to bed early. Caleb isn’t old enough to go to school yet, but I still feel the need to get back to our regular schedule. We kind of let things go during the summer months. We are more flexible with our work schedule, naps, bedtime, and even diet. I ate a few too many desserts in Jackson Hole🙂

Back to school doesn’t mean we can’t have fun though! To kick off our “school” year and new routine we made Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars. These bars are fun to make and fun to eat!

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Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (3)

The recipe for Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars comes from Catherine McCord’s new cookbook, Weelicious Lunches. Catherine’s first book is a favorite at our house so when she told me she was writing a second book all about healthy lunches, I started counting down the days until release date. Well, it’s here and the book is fabulous!

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Weelicious Lunches is filled with healthy and fun recipes, lists of lunchbox favorites, facts on food allergies, and tips for picky eaters. Catherine’s recipes are sure to make even your pickiest eaters happy! Plus, there is a chapter dedicated to Peanut Butter & Jelly. I am going to be tackling that chapter very soon:)

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But let’s talk about these Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars. I never buy packaged granola or fruit bars at the store. Most bars have ingredients that I can’t pronounce and are expensive so I stay away. I always make homemade granola bars, but haven’t tried making a fruit bar. So when I saw Catherine’s recipe for Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars I knew I had to try them!

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There are only seven ingredients in these bars and I can pronounce all of them:) I love that they are made with whole wheat flour and oats. You can use your favorite jam or fruit preserves for the filling. I went with homemade triple berry jam that our friends gave to us.

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The bars have a buttery whole grain crust with a sweet fruity filing! They are the perfect treat for school lunches or an after school snack. They are easy to pack and will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. So you can make a pan and ration out the bars during the week.

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I tried to ration out our bars, but they went quickly. Caleb wanted a taste as soon as they came out of the oven!

Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars are the perfect back to school or anytime treat. I know we will be making these homemade fruit bars all of the time!

And make sure you check out Catherine’s blog, Weelicious, for more healthy kid-friendly recipes! And if you want a daily dose of lunch inspiration follow Weelicious on Instagram. Every day Catherine posts a photo of a healthy lunch box. She has the best ideas! I want to be Catherine when I grow up!

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Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (10)

Kid Friendly

Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars

Homemade Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars are the perfect treat for school lunches, an after school snack, or grabbing on the go!

4.88 from 8 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 16 bars

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, chopped into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 3/4 cup fruit preserves or jam

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

  • 2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Pulse for 30 seconds.

  • 3. Add the butter and cold water and pulse until the dough holds together when pressed.

  • 4. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, line it with parchment paper, and grease the parchment paper.

  • 5. Divide the dough mixture in half and press half into the prepared baking dish, using the back of a spatula to press down evenly.

  • 6. Spread the preserves evenly on top of the dough. Sprinkle the remaining dough evenly on top of the preserves and gently press down using the back of a spatula.

  • 7. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

  • 8. Cool, cut into 1 ½ x 4-inch bars, and serve.

  • Note-bars can be stored at room temperature up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.

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Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in whole fruit bars? ›

From the Package

WATER, SUGAR, STRAWBERRIES (STRAWBERRIES, SUGAR), NATURAL FLAVOR, BEET JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), CITRIC ACID, GUAR GUM, TURMERIC (COLOR).

Do that's it fruit bars need to be refrigerated? ›

That's it. Fruit Bars are 100% natural, plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO, and allergen-free, with no added sugars. They do not require refrigeration, and are shelf-stable for two years.

How is fruit bar made? ›

And then extract the pulp from the fruits. Then mix the pulp with the required quantity of sugar. This blend is then dehydrated in tray dryer and drying time is around 18-20. In fruit toffee, you will need to mix sugar, color, preservatives, glucose, skimmed milk powder, hydrogenated fat, flavor etc.

Can you freeze Nutri Grain bars? ›

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or in the fridge for longer. These can also be wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen, thaw for 1 hour.

Are fruit filled bars healthy? ›

Fruit and nut bars or balls

A small bar typically contains around 150kcals – that's less than a Mars bar (228kcal) but more than a banana (89kcal). Because these bars are made from dried fruit and nuts they are more nutritious than biscuits, chocolate or sweets.

Are Nutrigrain bars healthy? ›

As mentioned earlier, Nutri-Grain bars do contain added sugars, which can potentially impact overall health. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams per day for men.

Can diabetics eat fruit bars? ›

fruit bars are diabetic friendly. Each portion-controlled bar contains low glycemic dried fruit along with 3 grams of fiber. Great for a snack while you're on the go!

What is the shelf life of fruit bars? ›

Not only are they nutritious, but they are convenient and have a 2-year shelf life.

What is the fruit bar method? ›

Fruit bar is the product prepared by blending fruit purees or pulp extracted from ripe pulpy fruit, sugar or other nutritive sweeteners and other ingredients and additives desired for product and dehydrated to form sheet which can be cut to desired shape and size.

What fruits are needed for bar? ›

Firstly come limes, lemons, oranges, olives, and cherries;anything else in this section is secondary to these five pillars of bar garnishes. Slices, wedges, wheels, peels, twists, squeezed, skewered, and muddled, these fruits (yes, olives are fruits) will garnish the majority of your drinks.

How to make pure organic fruit bars? ›

Steps
  1. Line a 8-in square pan or a bar mold with plastic wrap.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cranberries or dried fruits, the dates, and hot water. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes. ...
  3. Place the almonds in the bowl of a food processor. ...
  4. Add the fruits and cinnamon. ...
  5. Transfer to the prepared pan and press down firmly.

Can I eat an expired Nutri Grain Bar? ›

That outdated granola bar packed with soft oats or that chocolate bar now displaying a whitish bloom may not taste very good, but they can still be consumed without making you sick. In fact, the expiration dates on your food don't have much to do with the risk of food poisoning.

How long do Nutrigrain bars stay good for? ›

DRY STORAGE= 8 MO. EACH BAR IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED.

What are Nutri Grain bars made of? ›

In the UK, Nutri-Grain bars are around one-third cereals (mainly wheat-flour) and around ten percent fruit. Breakfast bars are a similar product to the muesli bar or granola bar.

What are the ingredients in a whole fruit popsicle? ›

WATER, SUGAR, WATERMELON, GUAR GUM, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, CARROT AND CHOKEBERRY JUICE (FOR COLOR).

What are considered whole fruits? ›

Whole fruits – When you consume a whole fruit you are consuming the flesh, the skin and the pulp. Each of these parts contain different sets of nutrients – such as fiber and flavonoids in the skin and vitamins and minerals in the flesh and even more fibre in the pulp.

Why are fruit bars good for you? ›

Natural fruit bars are made from real fruits which are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This can help boost your immune system, improve digestion, and keep your body healthy. They're also low in calories compared to many processed snacks and desserts, which can help you manage your weight better.

Are fruit popsicles healthy? ›

Fruit popsicles can be healthy, refreshing snack, or they can be a vehicle for too much sugar, pesticides, and other junky ingredients. As with many food choices, making your own will result in the very healthiest popsicles, especially since every store-bought pop comes in plastic.

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