5 Snack Bars to Energize Your Day

Skip store-bought snack bars that are often loaded with sugar and look no further than your own pantry for some from-scratch recipes. Whether you prefer a crunchy, fiber-packed granola bar or a chewier rendition loaded with protein-rich nut butter, there’s a healthy option you can make at home.

Energy Bars (pictured at top)
Kick-start your day with one of these invigorating breakfast bars. Ellie Krieger makes them by pulsing rolled oats, sunflower seeds and a variety of dried fruit in a food processor before adding eggs and maple syrup. Once baked, the hearty mixture turns into a crispy yet chewy energy bar.

Fig-and-Walnut Energy Bars
A chunky, chewy texture makes these energy bars extra satisfying. Not only are they packed with fiber, but they’re also fragrant and spicy, thanks to cinnamon and ground ginger.

Protein Bars
Melissa d’Arabian’s homemade protein bars, studded with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, are cheaper than any store-bought concoction. Her number one money-saving tip? Buy protein powder in the bulk aisle of your grocery store. “If you are using unflavored protein powder, feel free to add in a bit of cocoa or vanilla extract for extra flavor,” she says.

Oatmeal-Peanut Butter Energy Bars
These bars made with oatmeal, brown rice cereal and dried fruit are the perfect combination of salty, sweet and crunchy, and make a healthy on-the-go snack. The all-natural peanut butter is extremely satisfying, but you can substitute any nut butter of your choosing (such as almond butter or hazelnut butter).

Aztec Fruit Bars
Chewy dried fruits like apricots and figs add texture to these go-to snack bars, while brown sugar and honey promise welcome sweetness. Remember to line the pan with foil before baking the bars—that will make them easier to remove later on.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/1ODK42a