Homemade Oatmeal Energy Bars

Making my own snacks to pack in my lunch to take to campus is one of my favorite ways to take lunch. Baking granola bars is soo much cheaper and healthier than buying the pre-packaged ones at the store that are full of preservatives and added sugar.

By my calculations, this batch of granola bars (makes 9-12) cost about $2.50 total. So get excited, because that is the best $2.50 you are every going to spend.

Ingredients

• 2 c. quick cooking oats
• 1/2 c. white whole wheat flour 
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/4 c. raisins
• 1/4 c. chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. peanut butter (or any nut butter)
• 1/4 c. maple syrup 
• 2 T. ground flax seed + 6 T. water

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flax and water. Set aside. Combine all dry ingredients in mixing bowl.
• Stir in raisins and chocolate chips. In a separate bowl, combine syrup, and nut butter and mix until smooth. Combine nut butter mixture with flax/water mixture.
• Add wet to dry ingredients and mix well.  
• Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Allow pan to cool slightly, then cut into bars and transfer to a cooling rack.

Kudos to Mama Pea