Have you ever been sample suckered at Costco? You know, where you are innocently pushing your cart around when some sweet old lady hollers at you to come and sample her one by one inch square of a microwaved frozen bean burrito? And then because you are starving it actually tastes amazing so you mindlessly put the 50 pound bag of frozen bean burritos in your cart? Then you get home, and as you are trying to find space in your freezer for the previously mentioned 50 pound bag, you remember you are the only one in your family who will eat these? If this has happened to you, then yes, you have been sample suckered.
So I bought a really big bag of dried apricots at Costco last week. I wasn’t exactly sample suckered, I just didn’t realize how big the bag actually was because everything is so big at Costco I had nothing average sized to give it any kind of proportion. Know what I mean? So since I had such an overabundance of dried apricots, I decided to use them in a recipe. I’ve always liked eating a handful almonds and dried apricots as a quick snack, so I thought these flavors would be a winning combo.
These No Bake Apricot Almond Bars and really quick and easy to make and very healthy too – the perfect homemade bar for breakfast on the go or an afternoon snack. They were inspired by the Larabar (but cost a lot less), which are simply made from pureed dates and nuts. Instead of using dates, I pureed my dried apricots. I also added a bit of coconut oil, toasted coconut, and raw almonds. I like keeping these in the freezer so that when I eat them on the go they are nicely chilled. It’s hot here folks! Even right out of the freezer, they have a nice chewy texture.
So next time you are at Costco, watch out for those sweet sample ladies and stick to the list! Or not, and in that case, enjoy your bean burritos!
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No Bake Apricot Almond Bars
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Description
These are so easy to make and healthy too! Perfect for breakfast on-the-go!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup coconut flakes
- 2 cups raw almonds
- 1 1/2 cups dried apricots
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Spread your coconut on a baking sheet and bake for 3-5 minutes. Watch closely, when most of the coconut is lightly browned, remove it from the oven and cool.
- In a high power blender (I used my Blendtec Twister Jar), or food processor, blend or pulse almonds until they are finely chopped.
- Pour the almonds into a medium bowl.
- Next, process or blend your dried apricots with the coconut oil and salt until you have a smooth paste.
- Pour the apricot paste into the bowl with the almonds and add your toasted coconut. Mix together until everything is combined.
- Line an 8×8 inch container or baking dish with parchment paper and scoop the apricot almond mixture into the dish. Press it firmly into the dish using another piece of parchment paper.
- Cover and freeze the bars for 2-3 hours, then lift the parchment paper out to cut into bars using a sharp knife.
- Return to the freezer, or keep them cold in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 158mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 5.9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 6.9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
dina says
great healthy snack bars!
Julie says
Thank you Dina!
Layla @ Brunch Time Baker says
I love how seasonal and moist these bars look! YUM 😀
Julie says
Thanks Layla!
Min says
Yes, I’ve definitely been sample suckered. Just take a look at my pantry ;). I’m glad that you purchased the oversized bag of dried apricots! These look so so good. I cannot wait to make this. Pinning!
Julie says
Thanks Min, good to know I’m not alone!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I definitely know what you mean about Costco, they get me every time! These bars look so delicious! Love the apricot flavor and that they’re no bake. Pinned!
Julie says
Thanks for pinning 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
I love your description of being “sample suckered” too funny! This looks fantastic!
Julie says
Thank you Annie!
Consuelo - Honey & Figs says
What a brilliant idea Julie! I too love the almond + dried apricot combo, so I cannot wait to try these. They look fantastic! <3
Julie says
Thanks Consuelo! Hope you love them!
Kayley | The Kitchen McCabe says
I love how you used apricots to hold these together! They look and sound like the perfect healthy snack!
Julie says
Thank you Kayley!
Kathi@DeliciouslyYum! says
Every time I go to Costco, I try to avoid the free samples. But then again it’s free food and who can say no to those lovely old ladies?! Beatiful bars – I could definitely not say no to these 😉
Julie says
So true Kathi! Thanks 🙂
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
These look amazing!
Wendy Cowan says
These look amazing and I really want to try them.
Any chance these babies could be made without the coconut flakes?
I HATE coconut.
Thoughts?
Julie says
Hi Wendy! I think you absolutely could leave it out. Might just want to add a little more almond so they aren’t too sticky. Hope you enjoy!
Sara Simple Haven says
We have a gazillion apricots on our tree right now that are already over ripe and I NEED to use them. Thoughts on how I could alter this recipe to use fresh apricots instead of dried?
Delaney says
I made these today and they’re wonderful! How long will they last in the fridge/freezer?
Julie says
I think they would last a few months in the freezer and a couple of weeks in the fridge. My best guess, we polished ours off pretty quick 🙂
Emilie@TheCleverCarrot says
Hi Julie! I’ve had my eye on these bars and I’m so glad I found (you) and the recipe! I love the flavors of tropical coconut and apricot so this is a match made in heaven for me. What a great, portable snack. Thank you for a lovely recipe 😉
Julie says
You’re very welcome. Glad you found me too!
Janis says
I just made these and the are soooooo good! Easy to make too! Thank you for a great recipe. I also signed up to get your emails. 🙂
Julie says
I’m so glad you like them! Thank you for subscribing too.
Nandini Arul says
Hi, Looks great and good for you too!!
But the directions say to preheat oven to 350 deg. Do I have to bake it ?
Thanks.
Julie says
You don’t have to bake the bars, but you do need to toast the coconut in the oven. Hope you enjoy!
Vanessa says
I had a hard time getting the coconut oil and apricots to a paste…now the batter isnt really coming together. Making them now…any suggestions?
Julie says
Hi Vanessa, the only thing I can think of is that the apricots you are using are dryer than mine. I’ve seen recipes that use dates in a similar way, and sometimes the recipes soak them in warm water first. Wonder if this might have helped? Sorry the recipe is not working out well for you. Wish I could be more helpful!
Vanessa says
Thanks for your reply! I added a little more coconut oil and they are in the freezer now, hopefully it will work out okay! I think my apricots were a little dry though, or possibly my blender wasn’t powerful enough.
Thanks 🙂
Laurie C says
When measuring the apricots, do you tightly or loosely pack them?
Sandi says
Do you think I Can I replace lightly ground oatmeal for the coconut?
Antonia Sattler says
How long do theres last? As in if you package them etc? And just in fridge i’m guessing?