Energy bars

Have you ever eaten something so hearty and healthy…

that you can just feel a slight change in your body afterwards?

Introducing my re-fuel pick-me-up afternoon bars.

I don’t know how long your work days are, but mine sometimes feel really long and sluggish… especially after lunch. Energy just seems to slowly go downhill during that lull between lunch and 5pm. For a quick pick-me-up to get me through my afternoons, I like to snack on these healthy energy and nutrient-rich bars. They are the perfect snack to tie my hunger over to dinner and help fulfill that afternoon sugar craving (without all the guilt!)…. I know I’m not the only one who gets those afternoon sugar cravings.

These bars are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Similar to my granola recipe, the ingredients you choose are completely up to you – highly customizable to meet your needs. The bars are fairly soft at room temperature so I like to keep them in the fridge until I’m ready to eat them. Wow I feel like a sales person trying to sell the bars or something! (I did just watch a little bit of Dragon’s Den… think it could be that rubbing off on my writing now =P) Anyways, check out the original recipe here.

• Servings: 12 bars
• Time: 1 hour
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

• 1 1/2 C puffed wheat cereal
• 1/4 C pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 C almonds, chopped
• 2 tbsp hemp hearts
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1/2 C dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 C honey
• 2 tbsp light corn syrup

1. In a large bowl, mix together cereal, seeds, dried fruit, and whatever else you’d like to add.
2. Stir in cinnamon and coconut oil. Mix until combined.
3. Add in honey and corn syrup. Mix until everything is incorporated. The mixture should look moist.
4. Transfer into a pan lined with parchment – I used a 9X11 inch pan.
5. Bake at 325 degrees F for about 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow bars to cool completely in the pan. I tried cutting the bars at this point, but they were still very soft. I’d suggest popping the bars into the fridge or freezer until firm and then cut them.