5 homemade energy bars and snacks

Hummingbird0331

Peanut Oatmeal Bars
Nicknamed Amish crack for turning old timey ingredients into something wickedly addictive.

Peanut Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups quick oatmeal
1 egg
Time estimates
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine butter and brown sugar in large mixing bowl. Microwave about 30 seconds. Stir until consistent.
Add peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir until consistent.
Add raisins, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, oatmeal and lastly the egg. Knead until ingredients have an even, cookie dough-like consistency, 2 or 3 minutes.
Scrape dough into 9x13 baking dish. Gently press dough, evenly distributing ingredients throughout pan. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown around edges. The bars are cooked when toothpick comes away cleanly when poked into center of dish. Allow to cool.
Run knife along edges of dish and cut bars into sections. Refrigerate. Wrap and pop into zip-close bags for the road.
Makes about 16 bars
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Peanut Oatmeal Bars
Nicknamed Amish crack for turning old timey ingredients into something wickedly addictive.

Peanut Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups quick oatmeal
1 egg
Time estimates
Prep time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine butter and brown sugar in large mixing bowl. Microwave about 30 seconds. Stir until consistent.
Add peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Stir until consistent.
Add raisins, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, oatmeal and lastly the egg. Knead until ingredients have an even, cookie dough-like consistency, 2 or 3 minutes.
Scrape dough into 9x13 baking dish. Gently press dough, evenly distributing ingredients throughout pan. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown around edges. The bars are cooked when toothpick comes away cleanly when poked into center of dish. Allow to cool.
Run knife along edges of dish and cut bars into sections. Refrigerate. Wrap and pop into zip-close bags for the road.
Makes about 16 bars
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Spicy Pepitos Mix
Savory roasted pumpkin seeds are a crunchy alternative to salted peanuts.

Spicy Pepitos Mix
Ingredients
1 1/3 cups whole pumpkin seeds, divided
1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon Harissa powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 lime, juiced
Time estimates
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine 1 cup each of whole and hulled seeds with remaining ingredients. Stir until seeds are evenly coated. Set aside until oven warms.
Place seeds on large baking sheet in single layer. Toast 5 to 7 minutes or until seeds turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Combine pepitas with remaining seeds. Store in sealed container in cool, dark place for up to 2 months.
Makes about 10 servings
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Cran Maple Walnuts
A tasty breakfast combo on pancakes is even better by the handful.

Cran Maple Walnuts
Ingredients
1 cup walnut pieces
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Sea salt to taste
Cinnamon to taste
1/3 cup dried cranberries
Time estimates
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 12 minutes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine first two ingredients in mixing bowl. Stir until walnuts have an even coating, about 2 minutes.
Place walnuts on baking sheet in single layer. Sprinkle with salt and cinnamon. Roast 5 or 6 minutes or until aromatic. Remove from oven and let cool.
Combine roasted walnuts with dried cranberries. Store in sealed container.
Makes 6 servings
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Hippie Bars
The antipode to Amish Crack. If you’re selling sage at the farmers market, this energy bar might be for you.

Hippie Bars
Ingredients
2 ripe bananas, sliced
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
2 tablespoons flax seed powder
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/2 cup mixed nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups quick oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup cranberries, divided
Time estimates
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine bananas, hemp seeds and flax in mixing bowl. Microwave 30 seconds. Stir.
Add honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons oil. Knead and fold ingredients 2 or 3 minutes. Add mixed nuts and cranberries. Knead. Add salt, quick oats and flour. Lastly add eggs. Knead and fold about 2 more minutes. If mixed ingredients become too sticky, rinse and dust hands with flour.
Coat 9x13 baking dish with remaining oil. Scrape ingredients into dish. Gently press dough evenly, distributing ingredients throughout pan. Top with cranberries. Cook 30 to 35 minutes or until edges start to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Run knife along edges of dish and cut bars into sections. Refrigerate. Wrap and pop into zip-close bags for the road.
Makes about 16 bars
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Grab and Go Trail Mix
Make your own blend of snack food using almond granola cereal as a base to mix and match your favorite trailside treats.

Grab and Go Trail Mix
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups almond granola cereal
2 ounces crystallized ginger, sliced
2 ounces dried mango, sliced
1/2 cup hulled sunflower seeds
Time estimates
Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes

Directions
Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl. Stir and store in airtight container for up to 2 months.
Makes 6 servings
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