Chewy Coconut and Dried Fruit Bars a great way to enjoy a sweet treat with a healthy vibe. These bars are filled with fruit, flakes, and puffed rice for a snack you’ll really enjoy!
Eating healthy includes getting your fill of good-for-you foods like veggies and fruit. If you’re looking for healthier eating ideas and snack options, try adding dried fruit to your day. In this recipe, I’m using prunes — or dried plums — as one of the main ingredients!
I used Sunsweet® prunes and plum juice to make these deliciously moist Chewy Coconut and Dried Fruit Bars. No plum juice on hand? No problem! Use apple juice instead.
This snack tastes like a decadent dessert, but it’s so much better for you than what you might find from a vending machine, the cafeteria, or even in a bakery.
Dried fruit is a great addition to recipes, and a great snack idea, too, especially during the winter months when fresh fruit isn’t always available.
Let’s not forget that dried fruit is super portable. You can easily pop a bag of it into your work bag or backpack to snack on during the day. Toss it into your a.m. cereal, oatmeal, or salad for added flavor and fiber.
Needing even more of a bar fix? Try my Blueberry-Pistachio Marshmallow Cereal Bars. They’re a great reminder of your favorite childhood snack, but a little more grown up!
Another healthy treat that is super easy to make are Homemade Larabar Cherry-Chocolate Chip Bites. I used dates as the main ingredient for some healthy sweetness.
Don’t think of prunes as your grandma’s snack. Unless you’re thinking about how smart grandma is! Prunes are a great source of fiber and have so many other good things going for them.
Studies suggest the following positive effects from certain nutrients in prunes:
- Bone Health: Prunes may promote healthy bones. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi of Florida State University says, “Dried plums (prunes) are the most bone-friendly fruit that I have seen in decades. They are nature’s solution to maintaining good bone health.” Dr. Arjmandi hypothesizes that the many compounds and nutrients contained in prunes, such as vitamin K, potassium, copper and boron, likely work synergistically to have this positive effect. Additional research is currently being conducted to learn more about prunes and bone health.
- Potassium: Potassium may help prevent hypertension and stroke and play a role in helping support cell energy by regulating fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contraction to increase energy.
- Fiber: A diet containing foods with fiber can replace fats and sweets, and contributes to heart health.
- Regularity: A fiber rich diet may contribute to maintaining a consistent digestive tract which helps lead to improved digestive health.
Whether you enjoy Chewy Coconut and Dried Fruit Bars at breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even as dessert, you’ll feel good knowing that healthy dried plums are included in each bite.
These bars are rich and decadent, but they won’t ruin your healthy-eating resolution. Try them soon!
Patricia Conte/Grab a Plate
Yields Makes 9 bars
Chewy Coconut and Dried Fruit Bars
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups brown rice cereal (or regular puffed rice cereal)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, plus extra to garnish on top
- 1-1/2 cups diced prunes
- 5 tablespoons light plum juice (or apple juice)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup berry yogurt, like blackberry or blueberry
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the cereal and the coconut flakes, and mix to combine. Set aside.
- Add the diced prunes and the juice to a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the brown sugar and egg. Use a blender to combine until smooth. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and yogurt, and continue to mix until combined and smooth.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, and use a wooden spoon to mix to combine. Fold in the dried plum mixture and combine. The batter will be stiff and a little dry.
- Transfer to the baking dish and lightly press down and even out over the top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for several minutes. Remove from the baking dish using the overhanging parchment paper, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle a bit of the coconut over the top.
- When completely cool, remove the paper and cut evenly into 9 squares.
7.8.1.2261https://www.azgrabaplate.com/chewy-coconut-and-dried-fruit-bars/
Patricia Conte/Grab a Plate
Yields Makes 9 bars
Save RecipeIngredients
- 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups brown rice cereal (or regular puffed rice cereal)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, plus extra to garnish on top
- 1-1/2 cups diced prunes
- 5 tablespoons light plum juice (or apple juice)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup berry yogurt, like blackberry or blueberry
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the cereal and the coconut flakes, and mix to combine. Set aside.
- Add the diced prunes and the juice to a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the brown sugar and egg. Use a blender to combine until smooth. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and yogurt, and continue to mix until combined and smooth.
- Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, and use a wooden spoon to mix to combine. Fold in the dried plum mixture and combine. The batter will be stiff and a little dry.
- Transfer to the baking dish and lightly press down and even out over the top.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for several minutes. Remove from the baking dish using the overhanging parchment paper, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Sprinkle a bit of the coconut over the top.
- When completely cool, remove the paper and cut evenly into 9 squares.
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