Recipe | You Won’t Believe These Are Healthy Energy Bars

Energy and protein bars are a huge market in today’s increasingly health conscientious society.  There are a lot of great energy bar products out there, but if you read the ingredients on some, you may be surprised to see what all is listed.  In addition, the costs alone can start to add up quickly if you eat them on a regular basis.

The following recipe, was shared to us by Mary, who works at Senior Helpers, our office neighbor at One Mission Realty.  What I love about this recipe is its versatility.  You can easily customize it based on your own dietary needs and tastes.  For example, in the recipe for the bars pictured, a blend of slivered almonds, walnuts, and some peanuts were used.  Instead of raisins, these bars have a mix of dried cherries and cranberries.  This combo made a bar filled with Vitamin E, Omega 3, and antioxidants, not to mention fiber and protein.

Enjoy! If you try a different variation on this recipe, leave a comment with how it turned out!

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 “You Won’t Believe These Are Healthy Energy Bars”

• 2 cups raw oatmeal
• 1 cup raw nuts
• 2 cups dry cereal
• 3/4 cup wheat germ
• 1 cup dried raisins (or other dried fruit)*
• 1 12-ounce can evaporated skim milk
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips*

1. In a roasting pan, combine the raw oatmeal and raw nuts. Bake at 300°F for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine roasted oats, nuts, dry cereal, wheat germ and raisins. For dry cereal, mix and match among your favorites.  For example, combine 1 cup each of Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Shredded Wheat and Fiber One.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine evaporated skim milk and chocolate chips.  Microwave until chips have melted and mixture is smoothly liquid (about 2 minutes, checking and stirring every 30 seconds).  Pour over the cereal, and mix ingredients thoroughly.  If mixture is too dry to stick together, add a small amount of hot water until cereal blends.   If mixture is too wet, add more dry cereal.  Spread the mixture in a lightly oiled flat casserole dish.  Place a sheet of waxed paper on top and press until all mixture has been compacted.  Refrigerate for one hour.
4. When mixture has chilled, cut into 1-inch squares and bag into small servings (4 to 6 squares). Leave one bag in the refrigerator for afternoon snacks or evening desserts. Freeze remaining energy bars for later use.

*For variations on this recipe, replace raisins with other dried fruit, such as cherries, cranberries, apricots, figs or pineapple chips.  Add 1/2 cup dried coconut to cereal mixture.  Add 1/2 cup peanut butter to the chocolate chip and evaporated milk mixture.  You can also replace chocolate chips with butterscotch chips.