I don’t know about you, but I need a break. The last 18 months have felt like a nonconsensual ride on a rollercoaster designed by Guillermo del Toro. Each morning brings another set of surprises—usually something like a final exam for a class I forgot I was taking (or teaching).
One of the few respites has been more frequent outdoor adventures. This last winter was amazing, and I’ve tried to get out weekly into the hills, mountains, and lakes ever since.
As a slight person with a high metabolism, I burn through a lot of calories on the saddle, in the canoe, or on the trail. As a total cheapskate, it gives me heartburn to think about paying for fancy energy bars for each expedition.
Over the past few years, I’ve developed the following recipe for an energy bar that I find delicious, nutritious, and extremely cost effective. I call them 4Bs (Ben’s Banana & Bean Bars). Feel free to share, modify, and use however you please.
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Base ingredients (you can change the proportions around):
5 bananas
4 cups cooked beans
3 cups dry oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter
Seasonings (experiment with what you like):
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Cocoa powder
Chilis/peppers
Honey
Maple syrup
Add ins (the sky is the limit! Add however many things you like):
Chocolate
Berries (dried, frozen, or fresh)
Coconut chips
Coconut oil
Nuts
Craisins
Raisins
Dates (pitted and sliced)
Chia seeds
Cooked quinoa
Instructions:
Blend the bananas, beans, and oatmeal together (immersion or normal blender). Fold in the add ins with a spoon and mix until evenly distributed.
Spread on a greased pan (olive oil or coconut oil) and cook at 325 F for 1 hour. Pull out the pan, cut the bars to the desired size with a pizza roller or knife. Then flip and cook for 1 more hour.
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