Energy Bars
Made with beans, nuts and granola, these energy bars are full of protein-power. Dates, coconut and cinnamon add great flavor.
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1 2/3 cup low-fat granola cereal
- 1 cup chopped pitted dates
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 15 ounce can pinto or Great Northern beans, rinsed, drained, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup dark raisins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or almonds
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
- 2 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Line a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine cereal, dates, coconut, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in large bowl. Stir in beans, raisins, and nuts. Combine honey, butter or margarine, oil, vanilla, and salt in small bowl. Add to cereal mixture; stir until combined. Spread in prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until edges of bars are lightly brown and center is firm to touch. Cool completely. Use foil to lift out of pan; cut into bars. Freeze bars, wrapped in foil, up to 3 months Yield: 30 Bars