Make your own Nutrition Bars

Having a difficult time reading all the ingredients on the back of your energy bar label? Wish that picking out a bar was simpler? How about making your own? This quick and simple recipe will have you eating breakfast and out the door in no time! Plus these super delicious energy bars are great to pop into your bag when your on the go! Oh and did I mention all the money you will be saving making your own bars? Now that's just a bonus.....can I get an AMEN!

(These bars are a cross between a granola bar, muffin and energy bar. They are a nutrient-dense snack but they satisfy a cookie and overall sweet tooth craving.)

Banana Oat Energy Bars

◦1/2 cup (63g) wheat germ

◦3/4 cup (97g) whole wheat flour

◦1 tsp (4g) baking soda

◦1 cup (120g) low-fat plain Greek yogurt or plain yogurt

◦1/2-3/4 cup (100-150g) brown sugar

◦2 eggs

◦1/2 cup (115g) mashed banana, (roughly 1 large banana)

◦1 tsp (5mL) vanilla

◦3 cups (241g) oats

◦3 Tbsp (30g) flax seeds

◦1/3 cup (60g) dark chocolate chips, optional

White Chocolate Craisin Oat Energy Bars

◦1/2 cup (63g) wheat germ

◦3/4 cup (97g) whole wheat flour

◦1 tsp (4g) baking soda

◦1 cup (120g) low-fat plain Greek yogurt or plain yogurt

◦1/2-3/4 (100-150g) cup brown sugar

◦2 eggs

◦1/2 cup (90g) unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree

◦1 tsp (5mL) vanilla

◦3 cups (241g) oats

◦3 Tbsp (30g) flax seeds

◦1/3 cup (60g) white chocolate chips

◦1/3 cup (50g) Craisins

Instructions

Banana Oat Energy Bars

1.Beat the yogurt, sugar, eggs, mashed banana and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

2.Gradually add the whole wheat flour, wheat germ and baking soda.

3.Stir in the flax seed, oats and then the chocolate chips.

4.Pour the batter into a foil-lined 9 x 13-inch pan and a foil-lined 8 x8-inch pan {or two 9×13 inch pans for slightly thinner bars}, spreading it with a spatula to make it an even thickness.

5.Cook the bars for 7-8 minutes at 375 degrees or until the top of the bars starts to turn light golden brown and springs back to the touch but being careful not to overbake them to ensure that they stay moist in the center. They will set a little bit as they cool.

6.Let the bars cool in the pan for ten minutes and then cut them into bars or use a cookie cutter to cut them into shapes.

White Chocolate Craisin Oat Energy Bars

1.Beat the yogurt, sugar, eggs, applesauce and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

2.Gradually add the whole wheat flour, wheat germ and baking soda.

3.Stir in the flax seed, oats and then the white chocolate chips and Craisins.

4.Pour the batter into a foil-lined 9 x 13-inch pan and a foil-lined 8 x8-inch pan {or two 9×13 inch pans for slightly thinner bars}, spreading it with a spatula to make it an even thickness.

5.Cook the bars for 7-8 minutes at 375 degrees or until the top of the bars starts to turn light golden brown and springs back to the touch but being careful not to overbake them to ensure that they stay moist in the center. They will set a little bit as they cool.

6.Let the bars cool in the pan for ten minutes and then cut them into bars or use a cookie cutter to cut them into shapes.

210 calories per bar