Home Made Energy Bars

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Experience From - Kathy Johnson , Alex Feldman , Susan Buffler


Kathy Johnson

Here's my recipe for energy bars. I love them, my husband loves them, my teenage kids say they taste like dogfood. But what do they know?

1 c. uncooked oats
1/2 c. wheat bran
1/2 c. oat bran
1 c. crunchy peanut butter
2 T. margarine (I use soy margarine)
1/2 c. protein powder (I use soy)
1 c. raisins
1 c. coconut
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. light color Karo syrup

I mush it all up with my hands and smash it onto a sheet of wax paper set on a cookie sheet. Then I put it in the freezer for an hour or so just so it gets set up a bit. I then cut it into bars and put them in baggies. As you can see, I put basically a cup of anything that doesn't move into these things and I think they're great. My husband keeps stealing them from the fridge so I have to watch or they're all gone before I know it. This recipe makes quite a few-can't remember how many-at least 15 I would guess. I cut them about 2x3" or so.

They only take about 5 minutes to throw together. I prefer to do this instead of spending $1.25 on each one at the store. I think the ingredients are similar but there are no additional vitamin/mineral supplements or anything great like that.

I'm a horror at math so I did the adding 2 x's. Who knows if I'm completely wrong-I THINK I got it all right. I'm giving the nutritional info for the entire recipe which can be cut into 15-20 bars depending on the size you like. You can do the math for each bar based on the servings you get.


Calories   5,395

Carb       567.34

Protein    133.8

Fat        266.8

Sodium     406.5

Fiber       57.95

Hope that helps. There's a lot of fat-if you don't like that then leave out the coconut, putting in more oats in its place. Or try using only 1/2c. of the peanut butter and more Karo syrup to make it moist.


Alex Feldman

Here is something I snarfed off the net years ago. I don't use them in races or training, but they are OK for hiking. Despite the name, I don't think they taste much like powerbars (a plus, in my opinion).

Home-made "powerballs"

Ingredients:

24 dried figs
1/3 cup honey
4 tbsp. orange juice
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. canola oil
1/4 cup dark corn syrup
2 egg whites
1 cup oat bran

Directions:

Add figs, honey, orange juice and 2 tbsp. lemon juice to food processor and mix on "chop" setting until figs are finely cut. Set aside. Put remaining ingredients (except oat bran) in mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer for 3-4 minutes at medium speed. Add fig mixture until everything blends. Roll 20-24 balls and coat with oat bran poured on plate. Place balls on pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until warm and a bit puffy. Place in refrigerator to harden.

and here's another I haven't tried:

1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup corn, safflower, or light olive oil
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup RAW sugar (not white refined sugar)
1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel (California orange NOT Florida)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup orange juice (fresh JUICED from those California oranges)
1 cup chopped dried figs
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped almonds

Combine flours, sugar, wheat, wheat germ, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In smaller bowl, blend eggs, butter, honey, molasses, orange peel, vanilla, and orange juice with wire whip. Add liquid to dry ingredients; whip until smooth. Add figs, raisins, and almonds.

Spread in a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F oven for 35 minutes, until it tests done.

Makes about 24 bars.

The only problem with this recipe is the ingredient list doesn't match up with the instructions. Soooo... take a chance, and let us know how it works!


Susan Buffler

I made some bars using the recipe on the back of the Rice Crispy box and added chocolate chips, dates, raisins, and oats. The only problem was they were so tasty I ate them all before I had a chance to test them out more than once! I'll try again this year. I think with these ingredients it may not be worth the $ to make vs buying!