No Waste Energy Bars

Do you want to make healthy snacks and prevent food waste? Then making your own energy bars with the leftover pulp from your own plant-based milk is something to try! This No Waste Energy Bars are not only nutritious and super delicious, but also a great way to get the most out of your ingredients. In this blog, you'll discover how to easily bake energy bars yourself, including tips for gluten-free or sugar-free variants.

How do you get the pulp?

You may be wondering: what is actually that “pulp” that this recipe is about? The pulp we're talking about is created when you make your own plant-based milk. For example, with the MULSI, a handy kitchen aid, you can easily make your own milk from nuts, grains or seeds. Think almond milk, cashew milk or hazelnut milk. You simply put the nuts and water in the device, blend it briefly, and strain it immediately.

The result: fresh, pure milk with no additives.

After making that milk, there is always a leftover: the fiber-rich pulp. And that pulp is a shame to throw away! This is where there are still many nutrients and a delicious, nutty taste. It is the perfect basis for recipes like this No Waste Energy Bars. This way, you can use everything you get at home without waste and get even more out of your homemade plant-based milk.

So with the MULSI, you're not only taking a step towards healthier and more sustainable eating, but you're also discovering how versatile cooking from scratch can be. What starts out as a glass of creamy nut milk, ends up as a nutritious breakfast or delicious snack!

Why make your own energy bars?

Supermarket energy bars are often full of added sugars, preservatives and unnecessary packaging. By making your own bars:

• do you know exactly what's in it
• you can adapt them to your taste or dietary needs
• reduce your waste and packaging
• save your money on expensive sports or snack bars

Making your own energy bars is also surprisingly simple!

No waste bins with nut pulp from your MULSI

If you make your own plant-based milk with a MULSI, you always have some pulp left over. Don't throw away that valuable fiber-rich pulp! This nut pulp — for example almond, hazelnut, cashew or mixed nuts — is still full of nutrients and flavor. It's a shame to just waste it while you can make delicious things with it.

One of the easiest ways to reuse the pulp is energy bars baking. The pulp gives the bars a soft, smooth structure and provides a boost in fiber. This way, you not only create a healthy snack, but you make optimal use of all parts of your ingredients. This is perfectly in line with the no waste philosophy and MULSI's sustainable mission to cook junk free with as little waste as possible.

Basic No Waste Energy Bars Recipe

Here's a quick overview of the basic recipe, perfect for when you want to get started:

• 200 g nut pulp (drained, slightly damp)
• 100 g oatmeal (or gluten-free alternative)
• 50 g nuts or seeds, minced meat
• 80 g dates, finely chopped or pureed
• 3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup (or sugar-free alternative)
• cinnamon or gingerbread spices to taste
• pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients into a firm dough. Press out into a baking pan lined with baking paper and bake at 170°C for about 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool completely and cut into strips.

→ Save? In an airtight box in the fridge, they will keep for about a week.

Variations and dietary requirements

The great thing about making your own energy bars is that you can vary endlessly. Here are a few ideas to make your bars even more tailored to your needs:

1. Gluten free

Simply use gluten-free oatmeal or replace oatmeal entirely with, for example, puffed quinoa, buckwheat flakes or finely ground nut flour. This way, the bars stay nice and firm and high in fiber, but you skip the gluten.

2. Low sugar

Do you want to sweeten in a different way than maple syrup? Use extra dates, ripe bananas, (homemade) apple sauce or fig puree as a natural sweetener. This way, the bars stay sweet, but without refined sugars.

3. Protein Boost

Add 1-2 tablespoons of hemp seeds, chia seeds, linseed or a scoop of (vegetable) protein powder for extra protein. Ideal as a pre- or post-workout snack!

4. Chocolate lovers

Mix dark chocolate chips or cocoa nibs into the batter or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled bars for a luxurious touch.

5. Tropical twist

Add shredded coconut, lime zest, or pieces of dried pineapple for a tropical touch.

From plant-based milk to a sustainable snack

Making your own plant-based milk with the MULSI is already a sustainable choice. But it becomes even more sustainable if you also use the pulp. This is how what would often be waste turns into a nutritious basis for new recipes. Making these energy bars is a great example of circular cooking: getting the most out of your ingredients without waste.

In addition, nut-pulp-based bars are often softer and fuller in flavour than traditional cereal bars. Perfect as a healthy snack, on-the-go snack or sports bar after training.

So did you just make a fresh batch of almond milk, hazelnut milk, or cashew milk with your MULSI? Preserve that pulp and turn it into these delicious No Waste Energy Bars. This way, you can make your sustainable kitchen even more complete — and a lot tastier!

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