Making your own energy bars is fun, easy, and cheaper than buying commercial bars. These bars are packed with protein and fiber and are perfect to throw in your backpack for camping or hiking. Most commercial energy bars cost about $1 a piece, but you can stock up on ingredients and make your own for far less. Even better, you can customize the recipe so you know will love these bars, and they won’t go to waste. Some energy bars are simple no-bake recipes with very few ingredients. These would be perfect to bring camping as they are easy to prepare, pack well and don’t need refrigeration. However, if you’re camping during a hot spell, you may want to keep them in a cooler so they keep their shape. Check out two ways to make energy bars!
No-Bake Recipe
Combine 1 C. natural peanut butter, 1 C. honey and 3 C. dry uncooked old-fashioned oats. Melt the peanut butter and honey over low heat until it’s runny. Add the oats; you don’t need to cook the oats, simply stir until everything is nicely combined. Press into a 9×9 inch pan and cut into even squares. Wrap each bar in foil or wax paper and store in a plastic bag.
This simple recipe can be adapted by adding dark chocolate chips, raisins, or nuts. You can also try adding coconut, sunflower or pumpkin seeds. For an extra health or protein kick, try adding wheat germ, flaxseeds, whey or protein powder. Make your additions after adding the oats. If you add chocolate, remove the pan from heat or your chips will melt.
Oven-Baked Recipe
Preheat the oven to 350. Butter or grease an 8×8 inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, combine 1 egg, ½ C. brown sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix these ingredients thoroughly. Add 1 C. granola, ½ C. raisins, ½ C. chopped hazelnuts, and 1 package of candy coated chocolates. Press the mixture evenly into the pan and bake for 25 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Keep these ones in the fridge or cooler.
This recipe can be customized by changing the flavor of granola, using a different type of dried fruit or nuts, or substituting carob chips or dark chocolate chips for the candies.
With these healthy snacks, your energy level will stay up and you will have a happy, healthy time camping, hiking, biking—or doing whatever calls you off the couch!
Now that you have an idea on how to make energy bars, check out 8 Ways to Boost Energy Without Coffee!
Featured Image from Towfiqu barbhuiya/Unsplash
