Go into any grocery store or Walmart in the country and be amazed at the variety of PowerBars, Clif Bars, 5 Hour Energy drinks, etc. They're all very handy, but making homemade energy bars with this recipe will save money.
Not only that, but with a bit of creative spirit and imagination, anyone can come up with their favorite flavor. This recipe covers the basics, but keep in mind that there's no end to ingredients that can be added for both texture and taste.
These delicious treats are great for consuming during long runs or bike workouts, as well as that all-important post-workout recovery snack.
This recipe only takes about a half hour to prepare so it can be done the evening beforehand. To enjoy it after working out, transport it in a cooler during the summer along with the sports drinks. Of course, this will not be necessary in the short winter months in the Houston area.
Energy bar ingredient list
- 3/4 cup protein powder (the regular kind, not the “designer” type)
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 cup brown rice syrup
- 1 cup Post Grape Nuts Cereal (or substitute another favorite cereal)
Optional suggestions: chocolate powder, vanilla extract, chopped nuts, and chopped dried apricots. Another thing to consider when choosing ingredients is the length and intensity of the workout. Tailor-make the bars using the appropriate foods by considering the glycemic index.
*Note: This makes a fairly gooey energy bar; add a higher percentage of dry ingredients for stiffer results.
Directions
Put the brown rice syrup and the natural peanut butter into a double boiler. This can also be done by floating a smaller pot or metal salad bowl in a large sauce pan. Once it's well heated and mixed, add in the Grape Nuts Cereal.
Now stir in the protein powder and mix well. That's it for the cooking portion! Spread the mixture on a no-stick cookie pan. Put it in the refrigerator to allow the mixture to cool and set. Once it's cold, cut the bars to the desired size and use wax paper to keep them from sticking together. Enjoy!
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