DIY energy bars: bananas, beans, and oatmeal (4Bs)

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. 

Smelling the flowers with Tom and Bix.

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.

The base ingredients (I used precooked steel cut oats in this version, though I usually use dry rolled oats)

The add ins I used with the last batch

Everything altogether and ready to be combined

My favorite secret ingredient: chili tapines, hand picked by my grandpa