Energy bars worth packing
Dietitian-developed snack bars and bites built on real food — oats, dates, nuts and seeds — with the macros laid bare so you know exactly what you're eating, whether it's a desk afternoon or the back half of a long ride.
Our energy bar collection
Each bar is no-bake or low-effort, made from whole-food ingredients, and developed by a registered dietitian. Macros are per bar, in grams — use them to match the snack to the moment.
Cocoa-Orange Oat Bars
Our most-loved bar: rolled oats and dates bound with cocoa and a lift of orange zest. Soft, lunchbox-friendly and naturally sweet.
Date, Nut & Seed Bars
A fibre-forward classic — dates, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. No added sugar; the fruit does the binding.
Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Higher-protein for after training or a long gap between meals. Peanut butter, oats and a scoop of protein keep you fuller for longer.
Ride-Day Glucose-Fructose Bites
Built for endurance: dates, rice syrup and a 2:1 carb mix to fuel efforts over three hours. Easy on the stomach mid-ride.
Crunchy Trail Bars
Toasted oats, almonds and dried fruit pressed into a crisp, portable bar. Holds its shape in a rucksack on a hot day.
Low-FODMAP Banana Oat Squares
Gut-friendly by design — firm banana, oats and a measured handful of walnuts, portioned to stay within tolerance.
Featured bar: Cocoa-Orange Oat Bars
- Energy
- 205 kcal10%
- Fat
- 7g10%
- of which saturates
- 1.5g8%
- Carbohydrate
- 31g12%
- of which sugars
- 16g18%
- Fibre
- 4g13%
- Protein
- 6g12%
- Salt
- 0.05g1%
% Daily Value is a guide; needs vary by individual. Figures are indicative.
How to build a balanced snack bar
You don't need a recipe to make a snack that holds you over. Combine these five elements and the macros take care of themselves.
Start with a whole-grain carb
Rolled oats, puffed grains or quinoa flakes give slow-release energy and structure. Aim for roughly half the volume — this is your base.
Add a natural binder
Blended dates, mashed banana or a little nut butter hold everything together and bring sweetness without needing added sugar.
Bring protein
Seeds, nuts, a spoon of protein powder or milk powder. Around 6–10g per bar slows digestion and keeps you satisfied for longer.
Work in fibre and healthy fat
Chia, flax, pumpkin seeds and chopped nuts add fibre and fats that steady blood sugar. Together with protein, this is what beats the mid-afternoon dip.
Press, chill, portion
Press firmly into a lined tin, chill until set, then cut into even pieces. Knowing the portion size is what lets you trust the macro numbers.
Common questions
Are these bars 'healthy' or just sweets in disguise?
A real-food energy bar can be a genuinely useful snack — the difference is the whole-food base. Oats, dates, nuts and seeds bring fibre, protein and healthy fats alongside the natural sugars, which is what keeps you satisfied rather than spiking and crashing. As a guide, a snack with around 10g protein and 5g fibre tends to be more filling than one that's mostly sugar. They're snacks to enjoy, not magic — but a thoughtfully built bar earns its place.
Which bar should I eat before a workout?
For everyday efforts under about two and a half hours, a standard bar at 30–60g of carbohydrate per hour of activity is plenty. For longer endurance work — three hours and beyond — the science supports up to around 90g of carbs per hour, and that's easier on the gut when it uses a glucose-fructose mix, which is why our Ride-Day Bites are built differently from the rest. See our sports fuelling guide for the full picture.
Can I make these without nuts?
Yes. Swap nuts for extra seeds — pumpkin, sunflower and chia all work — and use sunflower seed butter in place of nut butter. You'll keep most of the protein, fibre and fat, with similar macros. Always check labels for shared-line warnings if you're cooking for a serious allergy.
Tell us what to develop next
Chasing a bar for a specific need — higher protein, lower sugar, FODMAP-friendly, or built for race day? The Dietitian Without Borders team takes requests, and we test everything before it goes up.