Fruit Pemmican
A sweet, chewy fruit pemmican combining dried fruit, nuts, granola, and a crumble topping, perfect for energy bars or snacks for outdoor adventures and health-conscious eaters.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed dried fruit, chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup honey ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates
- 1/2 cup milk powder ⓘ
- 1/2 cup wheat germ ⓘ
- 1/4 cup soy flour ⓘ
- 1/4 cup bran ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped almonds, walnuts, and Brazil nuts ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons oil ⓘ
- enough apple juice to make a thick batter ⓘ
- 1 cup low-fat granola cereal ⓘ
- brown sugar ⓘ
- 8 medium-size Golden Delicious apples ⓘ
- 2/3 cup apple cider or apple juice ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons salad oil ⓘ
- all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 cup pitted prunes ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice ⓘ
Instructions
- About 1 1/2 hours before serving, or early in the day, prepare the crumble topping.
- In a small bowl, with a fork, stir together granola, salad oil, 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, and 1/4 cup flour until blended; set aside.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using a mix of seasonal dried fruits. If you prefer a nut-free version, substitute the nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. For sweetness, maple syrup can replace honey. Ensure the mixture is thick enough; add apple juice gradually to achieve the right consistency for the batter.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the fruit pemmican as a nutritious breakfast or snack, paired with yogurt or a drizzle of honey. It also makes a great addition to a trail mix or as a topping for oatmeal. For a delightful dessert, consider serving it alongside Cream Cheese Drops.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, refrigerate the pemmican for up to two weeks. Reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy it cold as a quick snack or breakfast option.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Fruit Pemmican contains roughly 2228 calories, with 43g protein, 290g carbohydrates, and 105g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (87% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (79% of the Daily Value), and iron (78% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 22g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh fruit instead of dried fruit?
Fresh fruit won't work well in this recipe, as it has too much moisture. Dried fruits provide the necessary texture and sweetness. If you want to add fresh fruit, consider serving it on the side.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To make the fruit pemmican vegan, substitute honey with agave syrup or maple syrup. Additionally, use a plant-based milk powder or omit it entirely if preferred.
What can I substitute for the milk powder?
If you don't have milk powder, you can use coconut milk powder or a dairy-free alternative. Alternatively, you can increase the amount of wheat germ to maintain the consistency of the batter.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).