Energy bars, what a rip off! Other than being full of god knows what, a majority of them just taste really, really bad! What can you do? Well, after watching my clients bring home bar after bar and then watching those bars sit in their pantries (next to the
Goji Berries & Vegetable Bouillon Cubes) even longer I decided to take it upon myself to invent a signature energy bar.
These babies really taste great, with a fantastic chewy/crunchy texture, chock full of nuts, sunflower seeds, ground golden Flax, dried fruit, and Peanut Butter they keep you full and keep you going.
I started with a base of
Kamut Puffs (Kamut is an ancient grain that is closely related to durum wheat, the puffed cereal has no sugar, no salt, no fat, is low in calories and is a great source of fiber) and shredded oat cereal (I love the
Barbara's Bakery brand that is sold at Whole Foods, again a great source of fiber and also low in fat). I fold ground Golden Flax Seed, dried fruit, toasted nuts, and sunflower seeds and bind the bars with a cooked base of Louisiana Honey and all-natural Peanut Butter.
The Peanut Butter and Honey are brought to a boil and simmered for about a minute before I add it to the dry base.
The whole warm, deliciously sticky mess is pressed into a parchment lined and greased 9 X 13 inch pan. Baked at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes and allowed to cool they are then cut into bars for easy snacking.
These keep everyone full for a good while, I know that I can go for 4-6 hours before needing anything else. The bars are a great place to fold in flax seed, wheat germ, your favorite toasted nuts and dried fruits. Kept in an airtight container they keep for a little over a week.
Be sure to try this recipe and if you come up with a delicious combination that you are willing to share, be sure to post it in the comment section.
Start snacking!!!
nola bean Energy Bars
Yields: 1-9x13 inch pan (cut into bars or squares)
1 cup honey
2/3 cup peanut butter (use all natural or even that evil sugar laced stuff lurking in your pantry)
4 cups puffed whole grain cereal (I use Kamut Puffs made by Nature's Path)
2 cups shredded oatmeal squares, lightly crushed (I use a potato masher)
1/4 cup ground Golden Flax Seed
1/2 cup dried fruit (use any kind you like, if the fruit is large be sure to cut it into more manageable pieces)
1/4 cup toasted nuts, lightly chopped
1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. In a small saucepan combine the honey and peanut butter. Bring to a boil, stirring often and watching constantly, and allow to boil for 1 minute. Pour the hot mixture over the dry ingredients and carefully fold all the ingredients together. (The peanut butter mix is very hot and will burn you...slow ya roll, take your time and be careful!) Press the mixture into a parchment lined and greased 9X13 inch pan and spread into an even layer. ( I use a sheet of foil cut to the size of the pan, and use it to press the mix into the pan because...its still HOT!) Bake in a preheated 325 degree pan for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the cooking time. You want the bars to be golden brown when you remove them from the oven.
This is important...you need to let these cool completely in the pan before you try to cut them. Once they are cool remove from the pan and cut into bars or squares. Keep them in an air tight canister, or wrap them separately in saran wrap so that they are easy to grab on the go.
Favorite Dried Fruit/Toasted Nut Combos:
*Cranberry & Pistachio
*Zante Currants & Sliced Almonds
*Strawberries & Walnuts
*Blueberries & Pecans
Also, feel free to:
*Substitute toasted Pumpkin Seeds for the Sunflower Seeds
*Add candied, diced Citrus Peel or Ginger
*Add spices-cinnamon, fresh nutmeg etc...
*Try different puffed cereals and/or cereals!
Snack on my friends...
