2 Must-Eat Energy Bar Recipes

October 28, 2014

I don’t know about you but the days keep getting busier. Between school, activities, holiday events, family moments and work – we can hardly fit in eating, much less eating healthy. The goal becomes finding something quick, and we scurry out of the house with to-go snacks and meals. That’s fine on occasion but we all need to treat our bodies better and give them the fuel they need to keep going and having fun.  Energy bars are the perfect go-to food when you are on the go.  Find some truly tasty energy bar recipes right here.

Go Nuts

Almond-Date Bars have protein, fiber and give great energy early in the morning when you need to get out the door fast.  Freeze them in individual portions and thaw them overnight for the next day’s portable breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups chopped pitted dates
• ½ cup chopped almonds
• 1 cup skim milk
• 3 large egg whites
• 2 tbsp packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9”x9”x2” baking sheet.
2. Combine all the oats, flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add dates, almonds and milk.  Stir.
4. In a separate bowl whisk eggs with a mixer on high-speed.
5. Beat in the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture forms stiff peaks.  Add in vanilla.
6. Fold the egg whites into the oat mixture.
7. Spread it all into the baking pan.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the bars are brown or a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Let the bars cool for 10 minutes before cutting.  Makes 12 bars.

Healthy Decadence

Chocolate Chia Energy bars infuse some serious protein into these delectable no-bake energy bars chock full of chia seeds.  These sweet treats are sure to please even the most picky eater in your household and are great as a snack, for breakfast or as an after school treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup pitted dates, chopped
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup chia seeds
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp almond extract
• 1 cup chopped almonds.

Directions:

1. Puree the dates in a food processor until they form a thick paste.
2. Incorporate the cocoa powder, chia seeds and both the almond and vanilla extracts.
3. Pulse in the food processor until all is combined.
4. Add in the almonds until well mixed.
5. Spread onto a large sheet of wax paper and shape into a ½-inch square or rectangle.
6. Wrap up and chill overnight, cut the next day.  Makes 8 bars.

Sharing is caring!