Energy Bar recipes to keep you going this Holiday Season!

Happy Holidays! Are you busy visiting family or friends this holiday season? Too many open houses but too little energy? Try out some energy bars that would keep you going throughout this holiday season. Everybody cherishes a delicious bar.

For this situation, we're discussing the kind you can pack as a small little snack (however we adore bars with alcoholic beverages as well). Regardless of whether you require a morning meal you can eat while driving, a post-exercise munch to hold you until dinner, or a delicious yet healthy pastry, bars are awesome, whenever and for any state of mind you're in.

Not only that, energy bars are so easy to make at home! You don’t have to be a culinary prodigy, all you need is the knowledge of using a food processor! Just with that, you can make your very own energy bars. While most energy bars have a similar recipe, it’s cause they actually do. Most energy bar recipes use the same formula but you can always get creative and mix in any sorts of nuts, seeds or dried fruit into your own bars. Why homemade when you can buy? Well there are some benefits that come with making your own energy bars such as cost savvy, hand-picked ingredients, no artificial flavoring or preservatives.

Here are some recipes that might start your energy bar frenzy going:



1. Granola Bars
These bars are stacked with a wide range of great things, yet everything meets up in a delectable blend of flavors and textures. Almonds loan a touch of protein and crunch, dried cranberries and raisins bring the sweetness, and chocolate chips make it a hoot! Toasting the oats may appear to be unnecessary, yet it siphons up their flavor and makes them somewhat crisp and crunchy.

Ingredients
500 grams old fashioned rolled oats
120 grams whole almonds, roughly chopped
80 grams honey
60 grams unsalted butter
60 grams dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
60 grams dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
60 grams dried golden raisins, coarsely chopped
60 grams mini chocolate chips

Instructions
-Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line bottom of a 9x9 baking pan with parchment or baking paper.

-Combine oats and roughly chopped almonds and bake 7-10 minutes until lightly toasted. Then, transfer it to a large bowl.

-In the meantime, combine the honey, brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, chia seeds and salt together in a small pan. Cook the mixture under medium heat until it completely dissolves.

-Pour the mixture over the toasted oats and almonds and add the cranberries and golden raisins. Stir until completely mixed and let it cool for 15 minutes. -Stir in half the chocolate chips in.

-Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use the plastic spatula to evenly spread out the mixture into an even layer. Spread the remaining chocolate chips and press them in so they stay in tact. Once done, bake it in the middle rack for 15 minutes.

-After the energy bars are done baking, let it cool for 10 minutes before removing from the baking pan. After removing, let it cool down for another hour or until totally cool.

-Cut the bars into desired size, wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate until ready to consume.



2. Chia Seed Quinoa Bars
Common food for birds but suitable for all, seeds are beneficial to everyone. Chia and flax seeds along with almonds, makes these energy bars Malaysia crunchy and filled with omega-3s. Whereas the quinoa and nut butter adds staying power to make you feel full.

Ingredients
120 grams quinoa; any variety works
120 grams chia seeds
2 tablespoon ground flax seeds
240 grams rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon cardamom
120 grams raw almonds; coarsely chopped
60 grams honey
60 grams brown rice syrup
120 grams almond butter

Instructions
-Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line bottom of a 9x9 baking pan with parchment or baking paper.

-In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients together, stir until mixed evenly. (quinoa, seeds, rolled oats, cinnamon, salt, cardamom and chopped raw almonds).

-In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine the wet ingredients together (almond butter, organic brown rice syrup and honey). Stir to mix, then put it into the microwave for 1 minute to soften.

-Using a plastic spatula to mix, pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly. In the case that it starts to firm up, you can use clean hands to knead the mixture.

-Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use the plastic spatula to evenly spread out the mixture into an even layer. Once done, bake it in the middle rack for 15 minutes.

-After the energy bars are done baking, let it cool for 10 minutes before removing from the baking pan. After removing, let it cool down for another 20 minutes or until totally cool.

-Cut the bars into desired size, wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate until ready to consume.



3. Chewy Raspberry Apple Bars

This energy bar is perfect for anyone who doesn’t fancy nuts or is allergic to them. It is packed with a ton of fiber from the oats. It is easy to make and all the work that is needed is only stirring! Doesn’t get anymore simpler than that!

Ingredients
1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted
120 grams unsweetened applesauce, room temperature
80 milliliters milk
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
250 grams old-fashioned oats
140 grams frozen unsweetened raspberries, diced

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line the bottom of a 9x9 baking pan with parchment or baking paper.

In a large bowl, mix together the oil and applesauce until smooth. Stir in the milk, honey and cinnamon until combined. Then, mix in the oats until evenly coated with the sauce mixture. Once it’s mixed well, fold in the diced raspberries.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use the plastic spatula to evenly spread out the mixture into an even layer. Once done, bake it in the middle rack for about 15 to 19 minutes. Let it cool completely before serving.



4. Blueberry Yogurt Bars

For the yogurt lovers and breakfast lovers, this energy bar Malaysia would be perfect for you. Unlike store-bought yogurt bars that uses powder instead of real yogurt, this bar is topped with the good stuff. You can also use any fruits of your choice to make yourself the perfect energy bar Malaysia!

Ingredients
480 grams rolled oats
180 grams rice krispies
60 grams shredded unsweetened coconut
60 grams whole roasted almonds, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon salt
120 grams peanut butter or almond butter
120 grams honey
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
120 grams dried blueberries

Greek Yogurt Coating
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon gelatin
60 grams greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
1 pinch salt
300 grams powdered sugar

Instructions
-Line the bottom of a 9x10 baking pan with parchment or baking paper.

-In a large bowl, mix the oats, rice krispies, coconut, almonds, chia seeds and salt. Mix until well blended.

-In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the almond butter with honey. Microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until the mixture pourable. Mix in vanilla extract.

-Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and mix until everything is well combined and moist. Then, gently stir in the blueberries. Press the mixture into the prepared baking pan and then using a plastic spatula to press the mixture into the pan until it is tightly packed. Freeze it for 1 to 2 hours and then cut them into pieces and put them back to freezing again.

-Now it’s time to make the yogurt coating. In a small bowl, combine vanilla and water, then pour in the gelatin and whisk with a fork until evenly distributed. Set aside for at least 5 minutes or until it turns into a paste.

-In another bowl, mix together the yogurt, honey and salt, whisk it. Microwave for 15 seconds and then stir it. Do this a couple of time until the yogurt is very warm and liquidy. Make sure the mixture does not boil or the yogurt will curdle.

-Whisk in the gelatin with the warm yogurt mixture until gelatin is completely dissolved. Scrape the yogurt mixture into a bigger mixing bowl and our the powdered sugar on top. Whisk until powdered sugar and yogurt is combined and is pourable.

-Before dipping the bars with yogurt, line a baking sheet with parchment or baking paper. One frozen bar at a time, dip the bottom of the energy bar into the yogurt and allow the excess to drip off. Flip the bars so the yogurt coated side faces up and place on the baking sheet. Repeat this step with the rest of the bars. Rest the bars uncovered for up to 2 days or until the yogurt is dry to touch.

-Once the bars are completely dry, drizzle the rest of yogurt onto the other side of the energy bar. Repeat this step with the rest of the bars. Rest the bars uncovered for up to 2 days or until the yogurt is dry to touch.

-Once completely dry, it is ready to be served. These bars are to be kept in room temperature.