Nutty Maple Cinnamon Energy Bars
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When you’re prepping for your next big hike or long ride, the granola bar section in the grocery store can be a daunting place. It can be difficult to decipher which bar will enhance your adventure or bring you to a halt. Tons of bars on the market are loaded with added sugar and artificial ingredients, both of which inhibit the production of Orexin in the brain, a chemical that stimulates the feeling of being awake. And there’s nothing worse than falling asleep over your handlebars!
These nutty maple cinnamon bars are made with whole, energy-boosting ingredients like rolled oats, unsalted almonds, protein powder and sea salt. In lieu of processed sugars, we use maple syrup, a great alternative for simple carbohydrates that athletes can easily convert to glucose during intense activities.
Whip up a batch of these before a long camping trip, a Sunday long run or even a walk with Fido. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge.
Nutty Maple Cinnamon Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats, divided
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted almonds
- 4 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- Olive oil cooking spray
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a clean, dry blender, process ½ cup rolled oats into oat flour; blend on medium for about 1 minute. In a large bowl, stir together prepared oat flour, remaining ½ cup rolled oats, almonds, protein powder, cinnamon and salt. Then combine applesauce, vanilla and maple syrup together with dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.
3. Cut 6 squares of aluminum foil into 4 x 8-inch pieces. Lightly coat the interior with cooking spray. Spoon out an equal portion of mixture onto each foil square, and roll them into a bar shape. Fold them like tamales, folding the ends over to prevent spillage. You can flatten them into bar shapes if you want to avoid a tube-shaped bar.
4. Bake foil-wrapped bars on baking sheet in preheated oven for 16 to 18 minutes. Do not overcook.