• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

Grateful Grazer

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipe Index
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Grateful Grazer

    Published: Oct 17, 2018 · Modified: Mar 11, 2022 by Stephanie McKercher, RDN · 5 Comments

    Sweet Potato Energy Bars

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sweet Potato Energy Bars are a healthy, on-the-go snack made with natural ingredients and cozy, fall spices.

    Sweet potato energy bars against white marble backdrop.

    We had our first snowstorm Sunday. I know. Don’t mind me while I grasp for the pumpkin pie spice. It may be a futile attempt to hold onto the fall season, but I’ll do whatever it takes.  

    I’m hoping for clearer skies this weekend for a trip to Washington DC. I’m going for a nutrition conference, but I’d love to walk around during breaks if the weather cooperates. (DC residents, get ready for 10,000+ dietitians to take over your city. Fair warning: we like to eat.)

    I’m looking forward to a session on food porn dilemmas, as well as a healthy mix of fitness classes and happy hours at the conference, but I also know I’m going to need an extra burst of energy to make it through all the festivities.

    Sweet potato energy bars against white backdrop

    Enter these spiced-with-everything-nice sweet potato energy bars. They’ve got it all. Carbs, fat, protein, fiber. Plus lots of cozy flavors from cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.

    They scream fall, but there are literally thousands of ways you could switch up the ingredients to make new variations all year long. Coconut matcha bars have been popular here on the blog. 5-ingredient energy balls were also a hit.

    In this very cool and crisp moment, though, nothing sounds better than these sweet potato energy bars. (Nothing, that is, other than adding on a warm bowl of pumpkin curry, perhaps.)

    So if you’re looking for something new to make with your pumpkin pie spice, or just need something healthy to grab on your way out the door, make these. Promise you’ll fall for them immediately.

    Sweet potato energy bars on white marble backdrop with seeds sprinkled around.

    Sweet Potato Energy Bars

    Sweet Potato Energy Bars are a healthy, on-the-go snack or breakfast. Flavored with warming cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Save Saved! Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: vegan
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Freezing Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
    Author: Stephanie McKercher, RDN

    Ingredients

    • 12 chopped pitted dates (1 heaping cup)
    • 1 cup pecan pieces
    • 1 cup walnut halves and pieces
    • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas)
    • ½ cup mashed sweet potato (see note)
    • ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted if desired (see note)
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Optional toppings:

    • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (also called pepitas)
    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted if desired (see note)

    Instructions

    • Combine dates, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, mashed sweet potato, coconut flakes, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, and salt in a blender or food processor container. (I used a Ninja blender.) Pulse 5 times, or until mixture is broken up into small pieces. (The mixture should stick together when pressed between your fingers.)
    • Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper if desired. (This makes it easier to pull out and cut.) Spread energy-bar mixture in pan and press down firmly on the surface with a spatula. (This helps the bars stick together, so be sure to press firmly.) Press additional pumpkin seeds and coconut flakes on top if desired.
    • Cover and freeze in baking pan for at least 2 hours. Remove from baking pan and pull out parchment paper (if using) to transfer mixture to cutting board. Slice into 8 or 12 bars (depending on desired size). Enjoy immediately or store in freezer.

    Notes

    To prepare mashed sweet potato: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Pierce sweet potato multiple times with a fork and place directly on the center rack of oven. Bake 45 minutes, or until tender. Remove sweet potato from oven, allow to cool, and slice in half. Remove skin and mash until smooth.
     
    To prepare toasted coconut: add coconut flakes to skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, 5 minutes, or until brown. Remove from heat immediately to avoid burning.
    Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention @GratefulGrazer or tag #gratefulgrazer.

    Save these Sweet Potato Energy Bars on for later:

    Sweet potato energy bars against white marble backdrop with text reading, "Sweet Potato Energy Bars."

    What kind of snacks have you been into lately?

    « Pumpkin Curry with Crispy Tofu and Broccoli
    Creamy Vegan Pasta with Mushrooms and Kale »
    987 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brandy says

      January 27, 2019 at 8:51 pm

      Any particular reason the bars are frozen instead of put in the fridge like the recipes I’m used to? I don’t really want to crunch down on a frozen solid bar... Would the fridge work?

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        January 29, 2019 at 6:05 pm

        Hi Brandy, I found the bars stayed together and the texture was a little firmer when frozen. They'll still work in the fridge, but they'll be softer and may be more likely to crumble (especially if you're packing them in a bag to take with you). I'd love to hear how it works out for you if you give the recipe a try!

        Reply
    2. Maria says

      November 07, 2018 at 9:19 am

      Can I omit the coconut flakes?

      Reply
      • Stephanie McKercher, RDN says

        November 08, 2018 at 7:59 am

        Hi Maria! You can totally omit the coconut. I haven't tested the recipe this way, but I'd try adding 1/4 cup of additional nuts to replace the coconut. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    I accept the Privacy Policy

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! My name is Stephanie. I'm a registered dietitian, recipe developer, and cookbook author. Here on Grateful Grazer, you'll find easy, plant-forward recipes, vegetarian nutrition information, and approachable guides to meal planning and prep.

    Learn more →

    Popular Right Now:

    • Pickled Watermelon Rind
    • Vanilla Matcha Latte
    • Easy Edamame Crunch Salad
    • Berry Coconut Water Smoothie
    • One-Pot Yellow Split Pea Soup
    • 31 Best Healthy and Easy Vegetarian Lunches for Work
    • Berry Dragon Fruit Smoothie
    • Vegan Pasta Primavera
    • Easy Quick Pickled Radishes with Vinegar and Garlic
    • Vegetarian Freezer Meals

    Fourth of July Recipes:

    • Summer Strawberry Salad with Chickpeas and Mozzarella
    • Tomato Mozzarella Sandwiches with Blueberry Balsamic Reduction
    • Caprese Pizza with Garlic Herb Crust
    • Vegan Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Bars

    Footer

    Grateful Grazer

    • About
    • Blog
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe

    Work with Me

    • Media Partnerships
    • Media Highlights
    • Contact

    Resources

    • FREE: 100+ Meal Prep Ideas
    • FREE: Grocery List
    • Meal Prep Ebook
    • Cookbook

    Health information is for educational purposes only. Nutrition facts are estimates only.

    Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | Terms and Conditions

    Copyright © 2022 The Grateful Grazer, LLC