Crispy Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Written by Jill // May 25, 2011 // Quick Tips // No comments // 815 views
If you are looking for a quick, easy to make recipe which is not only healthy but tastes incredibly good as well, you’re in luck! This recipe was introduced to me by Jennie Repsher, one of our past Runner Spotlight runners. I made some modifications to the original recipe to come up with this creation. I had some sample Bear Naked cereal packets so I replaced 1 cup of the rolled oats with that. I think this would also taste good with broken pretzels in it instead of the salt. I also think that some of Tim and Jerry’s TRY Chips added to this recipe would taste fantastic!
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup
- ½ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup Bear Naked Banana Nut cereal
- 2 cups crisp brown rice cereal
- 2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons flax seeds
- ½ cup chopped roasted hazelnuts
- 1 cup dried fruit (cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, raisins)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Directions:
1) Preparation: Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside. I lined my dish with plastic wrap instead of using cooking spray.
2) Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, agave syrup, peanut butter, maple syrup, canola oil, brown sugar, cinnamon. Stir and cook until mixture just begins to bubble, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
3) Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine oats, cereals, wheat germ, chia seeds, flax seeds, hazelnuts, dried fruit and salt.
4) Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Pour peanut butter mixture over oatmeal mixture and stir gently with a spatula until well combined. Transfer to baking dish and press firmly into dish. Allow to cool completely (will cool faster in the refrigerator). Cut into squares or bars.
Nutrition analysis per serving: Calories: 260; Total fat: 10g; Saturated fat: 1.5g; Carbohydrate: 41g; Protein: 5g; Sodium: 100mg
There are countless ways to use this recipe to create our own personalized treat. Play around with the recipe and add some of your favorite ingredients to see what you can come up with.
