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

This post may contain affiliate links. Read mydisclosure policy.

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!

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (2)

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!

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (4)

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:)

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (5)

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!

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (6)

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.

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (7)

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.

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (8)

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!

Homemade Fruit Bars Recipe | Whole Grain Fruit-Filled Bars (9)

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

Print

Save Recipe

Review

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.

Have you tried this recipe?

Leave a comment below and share a photo on Instagram. Tag @twopeasandpod and hashtag it with #twopeasandtheirpod

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

FAQs

What are the ingredients in whole fruit fruit bars? ›

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

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.

How is a fruit bar prepared? ›

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.

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.

What ingredients in fruit makes it sweet? ›

Fruits and vegetables contain a range of naturally occurring sugars that make them taste sweet and flavourful. These sugars include disaccharides like sucrose, and monosaccharides like fructose and glucose.

How much sugar is in 1 of the 100% fruit bars? ›

Sugar Calculation: 4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon

This Sunrype Fruit Source 100% Fruit Bar contains 29 grams of sugar. Divide this by 4 and you have 7 teaspoons of what is considered added sugar. Compared to an apple, this bar contains twice the calories, twice the sugar and half as much fibre.

How long do fruit and grain bars last? ›

These convenient food items provide nutritional benefits and are designed to be long-lasting. Typically, breakfast bars maintain their freshness and are safe for consumption for 6 to 12 months if they are stored in their original packaging.

What is the healthiest snack bar to eat? ›

6 Healthy Snacks that Raise the Bar
  • KIND Nut Bars. Take this Caramel Almond & Sea Salt bar as an example. ...
  • Bob's Red Mill Granola Bars. ...
  • NuGo Slim Bars. ...
  • Simply Protein Snack Bars. ...
  • 88 Acres Seed + Oat Bars. ...
  • Luna Bars by CLIFF.
Dec 10, 2023

What to eat instead of protein bars? ›

Here are 30 protein-loaded snacks that are healthy and portable, so you can enjoy them even when you're on the go.
  • Jerky. Jerky is meat that has been trimmed of fat, cut into strips, and dried. ...
  • Trail mix. ...
  • Turkey roll-ups. ...
  • Greek yogurt parfait. ...
  • Veggies and yogurt dip. ...
  • Tuna. ...
  • Hard-boiled eggs. ...
  • Peanut butter celery sticks.

How do you keep bar fruit fresh? ›

Drying/Dehydration/Food Dehydrator

Many types of produce can be dried/dehydrated to preserve them for much longer than fresh ingredients. Some bars due this as a way to preserve an abundance of fresh local ingredients to last many additional months.

What are the benefits of fruit bars? ›

Fruit bars are gluten-free. No additives and preservatives. It is 100% natural and does not contain any colorants. It is very rich in fiber and does not cause weight gain with its low calorie content.

Can you give me a list of fruits? ›

  • Apples. Apricot. Banana. Blackberry. Blueberry. Boysenberry. Canary Melon. Cantaloupe. ...
  • Currants. Dates (tree dried only) Dragon Fruit. Durian (purchase cut) Figs. Gooseberry. Grapes. Grapefruit. ...
  • Lemon. Lime. Loganberry. Longan. Loquat. Lychee. Mandarin. Mango. ...
  • Blood Orange. Papaya. Passion Fruit. Peach. Pear. Persimmon. Pineapple. Plum.

What fruit should not be refrigerated? ›

Fruits that should not be refrigerated include bananas, apples, melons, and berries. Keep in mind that many fruits will ripen more quickly when left at room temperature but will stay fresh longer if refrigerated once ripe.

Is dried fruit healthy? ›

Dried fruit can boost your fiber and nutrient intake and supply your body with large amounts of antioxidants. However, they are also high in sugar and calories, and can cause problems when eaten in excess. For this reason, dried fruit should only be eaten in small amounts, preferably along with other nutritious foods.

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.

What is the difference between whole fruit and blended fruit? ›

Blending is a lesser evil, but you'll refine the fiber and destroy some of its nutritional value, vitamins, proteins, and healthy carbs. As for whole fruits, you'll eat fiber too, which is healthy. If you're like me, you'll also eat the mango, pears, and apple peelings, consuming even more fiber.

How much sugar is in a fruit bar that's it? ›

Fruit bar. by That's It Nutrition, LLC nutrition facts and analysis per 1 bar (35.0 g)
Carbohydrates
NutrientAmountDV
Carbohydrate26.00 g9 %
Fiber3.01 g11 %
Sugars22.00 g
1 more row

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Greg Kuvalis

Last Updated:

Views: 5474

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Greg Kuvalis

Birthday: 1996-12-20

Address: 53157 Trantow Inlet, Townemouth, FL 92564-0267

Phone: +68218650356656

Job: IT Representative

Hobby: Knitting, Amateur radio, Skiing, Running, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Greg Kuvalis, I am a witty, spotless, beautiful, charming, delightful, thankful, beautiful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.