Looking for Recipes for Energy Bars That Travel Well Good Questions

Q: I'm going on a trip this summer to Micronesia. And while I'm looking forward to the delicious fruit and fresh fish, I wanted to bring along some energy bars (homemade...you know, to avoid paying $4 per bar for the packaged stuff).

Does anyone have a good recipe for energy bars or oatcakes that will travel well without refrigeration?

Sent by Corrin

Editor: Corrin, sure! Here are a few good recipes we like:

• Dried Fig and Nut Bars
• Homemade Power Bars
• Crunchy Granola Bars
• DIY Nutri-Grain Fruit and Nut Bars

Readers, any more good ideas for Corrin?

Next question?

(Image: Emma Christensen)

Comments (10)

Terry Walters has a great recipe in her book, "Clean Start."

Please keep customs rules in mind. Often anything with nuts or that isn't in packaging can be confiscated and thrown away. Although packaged bars are expensive, they're a way to ensure you'll have a snack when you need one.

I have a recipe for healthy vanilla bean cherry chocolate granola bars. They're really easy to make are portable and even freeze well!

http://munchinwithmunchkin.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/healthy-vanilla-bean-cherry-chocolate-granola-bars/

A blog I read has a recipe for homemade Lara bars: http://www.espressoandcream.com/2010/09/homemade-larabars.html.

Also, when I was traveling in Europe I bought a lot of cashews and dried apricots and ate those together. Delicious combination.

I don't know much about customs or anything, but I think you should heed @BetsyGinDC's advice and check to see what's allowed on your flight.

Have fun!! :)

This is my go-to travel snack - it's light and is gluten & dairy free - honestly, it's amazing!

http://withstyle.me/2011/05/12/gf-light-nutty-maple-mix/

Safe travels! ~L

YES! There's two variants of this- I also suggest that you roll them into little balls as they're pretty calorie dense (like 1" or so) and eat about 4-5 per shot. These are about single serving sizes, and they also stay kind of soft, so make and pack accordingly to your needs.

Recipe 1: 1 scoop protein powder (I like ON Vanilla Ice Cream Gold Standard Whey) and 1-2T natural peanut butter. Cinnamon if you like.

Recipe 2: 1 scoop protein powder, 1 T pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix), 1 T Natural Peanut Butter. You can see an example I made
here. (you just have to keep scrolling down.)

Or just go with packets of peanut butter- Justin's makes a bunch of them, or just a handful of almonds. Forget all the sugar, it'll just make you hungrier later because it burns quickly in your system.

Unprofessional Cookery

I wrote about my granola bars on my blog a while back. I make them all the time. Hope you find them useful!

http://shootsandroots.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/a-working-mans-granola-bar/

http://www.wholegraingourmet.com/recipes/57-snack/48-multigrain-energy-bars.html

This is a favorite of mine. No baking required!

My kids and I were in love with these last summer. Homemade Clif bars!

http://coffeerun8.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/dont-lean-on-the-chair/

I like Alton Brown's Granola/Energy/Protein bars, though I usually modify the recipes to use less sugars and more protein.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/granola-bars-recipe/index.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/protein-bars-recipe/index.html

I would also like to caution anyone using whey or soy protein. If it's flavored, it likely has additives that will change the texture of the final product. Chocolate flavored whey protein ala EAS or walmart brand, for instance, have cocoa powder that will act like an additional flour element in cooking.