Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars

So, my husband is getting all manorexic on me. He takes the train to work then runs a mile up a hill to get to his office. He gets there and doesn’t take breaks. He skips lunch and then comes home starving. There is no time, he says.

I knew I needed to step in, so the other day I made energy bars in hopes that he wont weigh less than me by the time we move home.

And he LOVES them, which is cool, because they also happen to be filled with healthy ingredients like almonds, oatmeal and wheat germ. He takes a couple to work and they get him through a good part of the day. Better than NOTHING for lunch, I say!




These energy bars will run you close to 240 calories and have roughly 6 grams of protein each so snack wisely, friends!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars
Makes 14 bars
Adapted from foodnetwork.com
If you like dried fruit, try adding ½ cup dried apricots or figs to the mix. These bars hold together best when slightly chilled so store tightly wrapped in the fridge.

• Cooking spray
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups crisp brown rice cereal
• 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
• 1 cup toasted slivered almonds

Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, canola oil, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir and cook until mixture just begins to bubble, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, wheat germ, almonds and salt.

Pour peanut butter mixture over oatmeal mixture and stir gently with a spatula until well combined. Transfer to baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and press firmly into dish. Allow to cool completely (will cool faster in the refrigerator). Cut into squares or bars.