Banana Oat Energy Bars
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of participating in my running group's annual Give Health Give Wealth Challenge. A day filled with running, yoga, zumba, boot camp, meditation and even a twerking class. (For those who do not know what twerking is: “type of dancing in which an individual, often female, moves to music in a provocative manner involving thrusting hip movements and a low squatting stance.” -Wikipedia)
The purpose of this event was to raise money for charity. This year’s charity was the Lower East Side Girls Running Club. The day raised a substantial amount of money through the donations and activities. I myself donated but because of an allergic reaction I had to sit out the activities but I did do a demonstration on a healthy snack.
One of the snacks I did for my demonstration was my Banana Oat Energy Bars. These bars are great for in between meals. Or as pre-or post-workout snack . With no refined sugars in the bars, the sweetness comes from the natural sugars in the ripened bananas and dates. Kids will love them too! The bars were a hit and I was glad to have recipe cards made up to give out to those interested.
The recipe is so easy and takes hardly any time.
In under 30 minutes you will have your very own homemade energy bars!
Banana Oat Energy Bars
2 large, very ripe bananas (the darker the sweeter) 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups rolled oats 1/4 cup pitted, chopped dried dates 1/4 cup chopped nuts — such as walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans
Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9-x9-inch square baking dish with olive oil or butter.
Peel the bananas and mash their flesh in a medium mixing bowl. Mash very thoroughly until no large chunks remain; the bananas should be essentially liquid. Stir in the vanilla. Add the oats and stir them in. Stir in the dates, and nuts.
Pat the thick mixture evenly into the baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges just begin to crisp up.
Place the baking pan on a rack to cool.
