Ultra Energy Bars are packed with wholesome ingredients — nuts, seeds, coconut, and dried berries — delivering satisfying protein, healthy fats, and a burst of nutrient-rich flavor. These bars are simple to make, travel well, and serve as a reliable pre-workout snack or mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
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One of the most inspiring books I’ve read is Finding Ultra, the true story of Rich Roll’s transformation: rejecting a sedentary middle age, becoming an elite endurance athlete, and rediscovering his life through plant-based living. Rich Roll, a vegan ultra endurance athlete who has completed challenges like Hawaii’s Epic 5, also hosts a popular podcast and shares his journey as a motivating public speaker. His story highlights the powerful role that a plant-focused diet can play in health and performance.
I was excited to receive an advance copy of The Plantpower Way, coauthored by Rich Roll and his wife, plant-based chef Julie Piatt. Over the past month I’ve enjoyed many of the recipes and appreciated the practical wellness guidance woven through the book. The Plantpower Way combines beautiful full-color photography with clear, actionable nutritional information, making it both a useful kitchen resource and an attractive coffee-table book.
The book includes 120 whole-food, plant-based recipes, and I’ve already tried several favorites. From the Cacao Mint Avocado Tart and Easy Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies to the Superfood Pad Thai and Parisian Asparagus Salad, every recipe I sampled was satisfying and well-balanced. One stand-out for me is the Hula Kale Salad — a vibrant, island-inspired dish created during Julie’s time as head chef at a yoga retreat in Kauai. It comes together quickly and looks stunning when topped with edible flowers if you can find them.
Energy bars are a staple in our household. We usually keep at least two varieties of bars or bites on hand for pre-workout fuel or afternoon snacks. The Ultra Energy Bars from The Plantpower Way meet all those needs: they’re flavorful, nourishing, portable, and quick to prepare. My family enjoyed them both as bars and, for variety, formed a second batch into bite-sized energy balls.
Julie notes that these bars are a hit with kids and adults alike, offering a wholesome alternative to heavily processed store-bought bars. The combination of nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, dried berries, and dates supplies protein, healthy fats, fiber, and natural sweetness, making them excellent for lunchboxes, hikes, or training sessions.
Ultra Energy Bars
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup raw almonds or walnuts, soaked overnight
¼ cup cacao nibs
¼ cup hemp seeds
¼ cup dried goji berries (or other dried berries)
2 tablespoons cacao powder
¼ cup shredded coconut
A pinch of coarse Celtic sea salt (or preferred sea salt)
7–8 dates, soaked and pitted
INSTRUCTIONS:
Drain and rinse the soaked nuts. In a food processor, pulse the nuts until they reach a mealy texture. Add the cacao nibs, hemp seeds, dried berries, cacao powder, shredded coconut, and sea salt. Pulse again until the ingredients are evenly combined.
With the processor running, add the dates one at a time. After adding about seven dates, the mixture should begin to clump and form a ball on one side of the bowl. Pause to redistribute the mixture and process again if necessary to ensure the dates are fully incorporated.
Line a sheet of parchment paper and press the mixture into an even 1/4-inch layer. Using a knife, score the surface into rectangular pieces approximately 2 inches by 3 inches. If you like, press additional hemp seeds or shredded coconut onto the top for texture and visual appeal.
Wrap individual bars in parchment or store them in an airtight container. They travel well and provide reliable fuel for trail runs, hikes, bike rides, or busy afternoons.
I enjoyed these both as bars and as bite-sized energy balls — both formats are convenient and satisfying.
These Ultra Energy Bars are flexible: swap walnuts for almonds, choose different dried fruit, or adjust cacao levels to suit your taste. They store well in the refrigerator for longer freshness and are simple to scale up for batch prep.
Reprinted from The Plantpower Way by arrangement with Avery Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © 2015, Rich Roll & Julie Piatt.