I should probably clarify that I mean the eatin’ kind, not the drinkin’ kind. And this time they were not purchased but made by yours truly.
My husband is training for a marathon type event here in Brazil. The Volta is 100 km race around the island of Florianopolis in Santa Catarina state. It is a relay with 24 stage. Most people participate in teams where each team member runs about 3 legs of the race. Some of it is on the road, some on rough terrain and some on the beach. Needless to say he is running a lot.
He had been asking me if I could make him some kind of bars for part of his breakfast. The bar selection in the supermarket where we live is practically non-existent. You basically have a few choices of breakfast granola bars filled with preservatives.
Now, I’ve tried making my own energy bars before, but I usually end up incorporating so many ingredients that they have way to many calories and fat to be considered nutritional. However, considering how much he is running this isn’t really a problem for him so I gave them another try.
I found this recipe for Chocolate Cinnamon Energy Bars and used part of it as my base and then went on from there. Warning: these have quite a bit of brown sugar. They were almost too sweet with the fruit so next time I’ll be cutting that back. Other than that I thought they turned out pretty good and he likes them too.
However, I’ll be having them in moderation for sure. They fall into more of the meal replacement category than a snack.
Energy Breakfast Bars
2 ½ cups rolled oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
¼ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup honey
½ cup vegetable oil (I used soy)
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup prunes, chopped
½ cup soy nuts
1/3 cup unsweetened, flaked coconut
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
¼ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup honey
½ cup vegetable oil (I used soy)
1 tsp vanilla
½ cup prunes, chopped
½ cup soy nuts
1/3 cup unsweetened, flaked coconut
Line a small cookie sheet with foil and grease well. In a bowl combine oats, brown sugar, flour, baking soda and salt. Pour in honey, oil and vanilla; mix well until all dry ingredients are coated. Stir in prunes, nuts and coconut. Press into greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
mmm they look/sound great! Bummer that you guys don’t have many good bars available to you in the food store. Good luck to your husband in his race!
I am definitely going to make these! Mr. Noodle brought back different kinds of bars from his last Brazil trip; my favorite was the brand Nutra – what do you think of them?
Hope your hubs’ training goes well and best of luck on the race. You MUST post about Florianopolis – I’ve heard that it’s incredibly beautiful down there.
This energy bar looks so good & healthy! I will try this tomorrow! Thanks!
These look yummy! Looks like a good breakfast to me!
Looks yummy! So with the honey and brown sugar are they more chewy (my favorite 🙂 than crispy?
I love this recipe! I will definitely be trying it!
Oh yum, those look so good!!
Erica – I have to stock up when I am in the States. I’ll pass on your well wishes. 🙂
TN – We’ve bought Nutra before. They really remind me of a quaker oat granola bar. I do like the coconut, but the banana is pretty bad.
I’m looking fwd to the trip. We went in Nov of 07 and it is a really nice place. I wasn’t able to go to the race last yere so I’m really looking forward to seeing how that event takes over the island. 🙂
Sophie – Thanks for your comment. I hope you like them.
cathy – Thanks!
laura – Definitely chewy. That is the way I like them too. 🙂
Meg – Great! Hope you like them.
Melissa – Thanks for your comment. Glad you liked them! 🙂
Mmm – the bars sound great. One thing I loved about marathon training (which I’ve only ever done once in my life) is the amount of food you get to eat 🙂 The downside is that the level of appetite remains even after the marathon training is over!
the bars look great and professional looking! That is exciting your husband is training for a marathon in brazil. Got your comment that he reads my blog every now and then – that is COOL! 🙂
I may have to try making these bars…especially since they are chewy!
Daily Spud – I can only imagine. Just running a few miles makes me so hungry. There is just something about running and my appetite, unlike other exercises. I’m shooting for a 1/2, but probably won’t make a full any time soon.
Lauren – That is the main reason I like them, the chewy. I really don’t like crunchy bars.