Cherry Orange Oatmeal Outdoors Bars

Serves 12

Having a quick energy snack ready when you're on the go--whether on a hike or a road trip, at camp or at work--is helpful to keep hunger and your mood in check. Sometimes it's a challenge to decide which energy bar will taste good and be worth the money, though. So why not make your own bars and have a little more control over the cost and what's in them? Try this simple recipe, using whatever dried fruit you prefer (cranberries, blueberries, apricots), cinnamon instead of nutmeg or peanut butter instead of almond butter. You could even add chocolate chips, but do finish them with a healthy sprinkle of ground flaxseed!

Ingredients

Natural spray oil for pan
3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1/3 cup smooth almond butter
1 cup dried sour cherries, or a mix of cherries and raisins
1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 egg whites
2 tablespoons finely ground flaxseed

Method

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spray an 8-inch square pan with oil; set aside. Mix together oats, almond butter, cherries, orange juice, honey, nutmeg, salt and egg whites in a bowl; press firmly into pan. Bake until golden brown around the edges, about 35 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, sprinkle flaxseed over the top, let cool completely, cut into bars and serve.

Nutrition

Per serving: 200 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 32g total carbohydrate (6g dietary fiber, 13g sugar), 7g protein

http://www.wfmi.org/recipes/2547