Blueberry Cashew Snack Bars

After so many of you loved our Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Nut Bars, we knew we had to create this Blueberry Cashew version! Both recipes are copycat versions of KIND®️ Bars and they're super easy to make, with just 8 ingredients and a few basic steps. These are a great snack for kids and adults alike, and they last for a while, so they're great for meal prep.

Homemade is always better than store-bought

Ok, maybe not always, but in this case, we definitely prefer our homemade bars to actual KIND®️ Bars, which in my opinion, can lean just a bit too sweet. These have great crunch from the nuts (we use both almonds and cashews), and they're sweet but not overly sweet. Perfect for a quick, on-the-go snack!

The best part is that these bars are SO easy to throw together. Just roast the nuts for a few minutes, then mix everything together, press it into a pan and bake. The hardest part is waiting for the bars to fully cool before you slice them.

Which KIND®️ Bar flavor should we make next?

This recipe is part of our series: Better Than Store-Bought, where we share homemade versions of our favorite store-bought snacks and meals. If you like making snacks from scratch, try our homemade cheez-its or blueberry pop tarts next.

Key Ingredients Needed for Blueberry Cashew Snack Bars

• Dried Blueberries: Dried blueberries often come sweetened, but you can use unsweetened if you are able to find them. You can also use any dried fruit you'd like, including dried cranberries, cherries, apricots or dates.
• Nuts: We used a combination of cashews, and almonds, but you can use whatever nuts you prefer, including walnuts or pecans. You don't even have to use a combination of nuts – just one variety would be totally fine!
• Brown rice syrup: This is somewhat of a specialty ingredient, but it's super sticky so it's the perfect binder in these bars. We used just enough to keep everything together without the bars being sticky to the touch. If you can't find brown rice syrup, you could also use honey, but the bars may not stick together as well as they would have if you used brown rice syrup.
  • You can find brown rice syrup in many speciality food stores (like Whole Foods) or order it online.

How to Make Blueberry Cashew Snack Bars

1. Preheat the oven to 325˚F / 160˚C.
2. Spread the nuts into a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan and bake for 5-8 minutes, until fragrant and lightly browned. 

3. Grease and line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the nuts, puffed rice and dried blueberries and toss to combine. 

5. Add the brown rice syrup and lemon zest to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. (This loosens it up so it's easier to work with.) Whisk in the vanilla extract and salt until combined, then pour over the nut mixture and stir until evenly coated. 

6. Transfer the nut mixture to the prepared pan and press into an even layer. 
7. Bake for 18-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for ~30 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board. Cut in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 5-6 thin bars. Let cool completely before enjoying. 

Top Tips from the CK Test Kitchen!

• Toasting your nuts is totally optional, but it does boost the flavor. You can also purchase pre-roasted nuts (but make sure they're unsalted!).
• Parchment paper is your friend! These bars can be sticky because of the brown rice syrup, so make sure to line your baking dish thoroughly and also use it between the bars in your air-tight container for storage.
• Use an oiled measuring cup to help press the nut mixture firmly into the baking dish before baking. This helps compact the bars all the way up to the edges, and keeps your hands clean.
• If you can't find brown rice syrup, you can use honey as a substitute, but note that they may not stick together quite as well, and they might not be as crispy.

More Snack Bar Recipes You'll Love

We can't wait for you to make these Blueberry Cashew Snack Bars in your own home! If you do, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @crowded_kitchen on Instagram. We can't wait to see what you're cooking!

Print

📖 Recipe