You know what time it is. You don’t even have to look at the clock. It is when you feel drained and need something to keep you going. For me that time is 3 o’clock in the afternoon. I wake up early and go at full speed until that time. An organic granola bar is what I usually have for a snack. However lately it seems lacking or I’m bored with the same old thing. I decided to make my own to incorporate the flavors I wanted. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars is now what I grab when I need a little boost.
Deciding on the name of the bars was difficult. They have so much packed into them; oats, quinoa, raisins, peanuts, coconut, chocolate, peanut butter, and honey. Quinoa seems to be big on healthy trends these days yet it doesn’t have quite the appeal as oatmeal. Oatmeal raisin is a popular combination too. The flavor of peanut butter in these bars is greater than raisin though. So I settled on peanut butter oatmeal and called it a day.
How are the Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars? They are soft with a bit of crunch from the toasted quinoa. The softness also makes them break apart easily. I had to push a few of them back together as I was cutting them. A short time in the fridge helped to firm them up. Peanut butter is the prevalent flavor with a blend of all the other ingredients in the background.
Exercise is important to stay healthy and strong. Two things I do are yard work and gardening. Using the equipment (edger, string trimmer, mower, blower, hedge trimmer) works out the muscles and is a load bearing activity. Pushing the mower, especially on my steep front yard, gets the heart rate up and is good for an aerobic activity. Planting, fertilizing, weeding, and watering plants gets me off the couch and moving around in the great outdoors.
How do you stay fit and healthy? Do you exercise? Do you make good food choices and nutritious meals for your family? Sunday Supper has partnered with American Family Insurance to share recipes that are a part of a healthy fit lifestyle. Scroll down to see a list with links to recipes and check out AmFam’s Health and Fitness Pinterest board for more inspiration. Special thanks to Denise of Run DMT for hosting this event.
More on American Family Insurance: You can follow them on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn, and their website.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats
- 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup golden raisins coarsley chopped
- 1/2 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts chopped
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper with a 1-inch overhang on 2 sides.
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Spread oats and quinoa evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely.
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Place oats, quinoa, raisins, peanuts, coconut, flaxseed meal, and chocolate chips in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
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Stir together peanut butter, honey, oil, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Boil for 1 minute.
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Pour peanut butter mixture over oat mixture and stir to coat.
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Press mixture into prepared baking pan. Bake for 13 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely in the pan.
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Use the parchment paper to lift it out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board.
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Cut into 1- X 4-inch bars. If any bars break apart, press them back together. Chill bars to firm up.
Recipe Notes
These healthy peanut butter oatmeal energy bars are loaded with quinoa, raisins, coconut, chocolate, peanuts, and honey for a delicious fueling snack.
Recipe adapted from one in Cooking Light magazine April 2014 edition.
Are you looking for healthy recipes? Take a look at these by talented Sunday Supper contributors and visit each one for more tips on how you can have a fit lifestyle:
Get Up and Go Power Breakfasts
- Get Up and Go Mocha Breakfast Smoothie by The Foodie Army Wife
- Avocado Tomato and Feta Toast with Poached Eggs by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Peanut Butter Banana Oat Smoothie by The Messy Baker
Salads and Healthy Snacks
- Cherry Kale Panzanella by Jelly Toast
- Watermelon Salad with Blueberry Balsamic Dressing by Runner’s Tales
- Southwestern Chicken Salad by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pantry Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars by Magnolia Days
Healthy Fit Lifestyle Dinners
- Grilled Fish Tacos with Summer Salsa by Foxes Love Lemons
- Blueberry Pork Chops by MealDiva
- Individual Grilled Veggie Pizzas by Curious Cuisiniere
- Almond Cashew Chicken by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Quinoa Bowls with Grilled Vegetables and Corn Salsa by Ruffles & Truffles
- Chicken and Mushroom Stuffed Peppers by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Pasta by Momma’s Meals
- Spiced Yogurt Chicken Kabobs by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Chicken Spinach Quinoa and Brown Rice by Family Foodie
Healthy Desserts
- Healthy Coconut Banana Cookies by Alida’s Kitchen
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie Popsicles by Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Blueberry Quinoa Cobbler by Run DMT
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
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Jennifer says
Beautiful pictures and yummy recipe! I bet my kids would love these!
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Jennifer
Run DMT says
These are right up my alley! Perfect combination to pack the power and energy I need to run! Thanks for sharing!
Renee says
These would be great for you before or after running. Thanks Denise.
Susan says
I’m loving these Renee! Sometimes I actually prefer quinoa in this form over eating it as is. This really is the perfect afternoon pick me up.
Renee says
I like quinoa both this way and cooked. Something about it is just so good. Now if only I could get my husband to like it as much as I do.
Hezzi-D says
These look great. I wonder if I could substitute almond butter for the peanut butter? I need some healthy, energizing snacks before aerobics
Renee says
Yes, absolutely you can substitute almond butter for peanut butter and almonds for the peanuts. These are easily adaptable.
Laura Dembowski says
I always add quinoa to my granola and love the crunch it adds. I bet it does the same thing in these bars. They must have so many fabulous textures and flavors!
Renee says
Oh yes, these bars have lots of great flavors and textures.
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
I’m reading the ingredients to my son, and he is all over these!Sometimes I think I should take on the lawn mowing – it is a great workout!
Renee says
Then you should make them for your son and I hope he enjoys them. And yes, lawn mowing is definitely a great workout.
Shaina says
Energy bars are life savers! These sound like the perfect pick-me-up.
Renee says
The sure are! Thanks Shaina
Constance J Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says
These bars look absolutely delicious!
Renee says
Thank you Conni
Liz says
FINALLY an energy bar that is calling my name!! This is exactly what I need mid-day, and I have a couple peanut butter lovers at home that would enjoy these, too.
Renee says
Thanks Liz
Tammi @ Momma's Meals says
OMG Renee I love this combo! I’m always looking for an energy bar at the store but these are on my list to make who needs store bought ones when I could have these, and they look so easy too!
Renee says
I know what you mean about looking for energy bars at the store. I think I’ve tried all of them. I like these homemade ones the best.
Beate says
Now this sounds like a energy bar even I would like. Love the way it sounds, and looks. Perfection, Renee.
Renee says
Thanks Bea and I think you would like it too. And it is non-dairy too.
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
No wonder why you are in such great shape, Renee. You have found the right combination and these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bars are just the right pick-me-up when I start to drag!
Renee says
You made me smile Betsy! Thank you so much for that kind compliment.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Renee, I love the addition of crunchy quinoa. These bars look like the perfect mid-day pick me up.
Renee says
I like the crunch of the quinoa too. Thanks Jennie
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I could use 2 of these right now!
Renee says
I wish I could send you 2 of them through the screen right now. Thanks Cindy.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
These are some good looking energy bars!
Renee says
Thanks a bunch Sarah
Alida says
I love absolutely everything in these, from the peanut butter to the quinoa to the coconut. I can’t wait to make them (soon!!)
Renee says
Thanks Alida
Katie says
Oh my, I think I really need a big batch of these in my life, immediately! I love that there is toasted quinoa involved…YUM!
Renee says
Thanks Katie
Mary Frances says
These look like such a great and healthy snack, thanks for sharing your recipe!
Renee says
They sure are a great snack. Thanks Mary Frances.
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Yes, 3pm is my down time, too. Such a bummer, because I used to always go to the gym so that my gym time would coincide with the Ellen show, so I could watch it on the treadmill. Well, Ellen used to be on at 10a here, and then they moved it to 3p. No way do I have the energy to go work at 3! Maybe if I chow down one of these bars on my way to the gym, I’d be good to do. These look so great, Renee. Love the golden raisins in there!
Renee says
I always went to the gym and worked out early in the morning. I couldn’t do it mid-afternoon either.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SO GOOD-this is totally the way I like to get my energy! These bars look crazy addictive and tasty
Renee says
Thanks Kayle
Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva says
I need to make these and take them to the office – this happens to me everyday around 10:30. Great recipe!
Renee says
Thanks Christy!
lisa says
Hi Renee, I was just trying to figure out what to cook for a friend who had open heart surgery, and I saw your recipe on Twitter! My friend was not a particularly healthy eater and is now trying to change that but doesn’t know what to eat for breakfast or snacks. These look like a perfect thing to make for him – healthy and delicious!
It was so great meeting you at the Food and Wine Conference! I just subscribed to your blog and I look forward to all of your great recipes and your beautiful photos too! Lisa
Renee says
It was wonderful meeting you at the conference too! I wish your friend good health and hope he enjoys snacking on these energy bars.