Oatmeal Energy Bars

These are packed with protein and plenty of goodies to keep you going when you need a snack.  You can combine any combination of dried fruits, nut butters, and chocolate chips.  Be advised:  Using some kinds of chocolate chips will add milk to your bars (unless you buy a vegan type.)  My favorite combo is apricots, peanut butter, and white chocolate chips. :)  Sometimes I add a bit of cinnamon.  They are not overly sweet so if you think you might like them sweeter then you could always add up to 1/4 cup or so of a granular type sweetener.

Oatmeal Energy Bars

2 cups oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup dried fruit-raisins, chopped apricots, craisins, chopped dates, coconut, etc.
1/4 cup chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips, etc.)
1/2 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, etc.)
1/4 cup liquid sweetener-agave, maple syrup, or honey
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds + 6 Tbsp. water

Combine flax and water.  Set aside.  Combine all dry ingredients in mixing bowl.  Stir in dried fruit and chips.

In a separate bowl, combine liquid sweetener, nut butter, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth and creamy.  Add flax and water mixture and combine.

Add wet to dry ingredients and mix well.  It will be on the dry side but keep mixing.  Press into a sprayed 8x8 pan.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.  Cool for about 10 minutes then cut into bars.