Homemade Energy Bars

Hello Everyone!

I just recently made these fabulous homemade energy bars using Ellie Krieger's recipe on the food network as a base. I spend so much money on these at school to get me going through the day but now I can save money and pronounce the ingredients I'm actually consuming (have you ever looked at the back of an energy/protein bar?) Also, this recipe using only natural sugar from the fruit (with the exception of the maple syrup but it's very little to begin with) and it's just the right touch of sweetness.  The recipe is incredibly simple (see below)... you'll spend more time washing the blender than you will actually cooking... no joke!

Here's the recipe I used (I made some substitutions)

Homemade Energy Bars

Cooking spray
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup flax seed
1/4 cup toasted oat bran
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pitted dried dates
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 large eggs

1 tsp chia seeds
a generous handful of chocolate chips *optional*

 Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Place all ingredients except the syrup and eggs in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped. Add the syrup and eggs and pulse until the mixture is well combined. It will resemble a coarse paste.
3. Transfer to the baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until just done, about 20 minutes. Cut into 20 squares. 

4. While warm, press a few chocolate chips into the bars.. they'll melt beautifully and if you're a proud chocoholic like me, it'll make the energy bars taste even yummier than they already are. 

Enjoy!