The sports food market has practically exploded in recent years. No longer is PowerBar the only option for on-the-go exercise food. (Editor’s Note: I remember cutting PowerBars into small pieces & sticking them to my bike top tube for easy-to-access food during triathlons!) But although these packaged options are convenient, they are also expensive & loaded with ingredients not found in nature. I mean…what even is gellan gum (listed in GU ingredients)? The cool thing is there are also loads of make-your-own energy food recipes out there. And here’s a great one – Chunky Granola Bites. They take about 20min to make…and I bet you’ll enjoy these so much more than those packaged otpions!
Serves 12
Ingredients
- 1/2 c quick oats
- 1/3 c wheat germ or ground flaxseed
- 1/2 c chopped nuts of your choice (pecans, almonds, walnuts)
- 1/2 c hemp seeds (also called hemp hearts)
- 1 c dried fruit of your choice (cranberries, apricots, pineapple, cherries)
- 1/3 c unsweetened dried shredded coconut
- 1/2 t cinnamon
- 1/2 t ground ginger
- 1/2 t salt
- 1 lg egg
- 1/2 c honey or brown rice syrup
- 1/4 c coconut oil, melted
Preheat oven to 350 deg. In large bowl, stir together oats, wheat germ, nuts, hemp seeds, dried fruit, coconut, cinnamon, ginger & salt. In a separate bowl, lightly beat egg & stir in honey or brown rice syrup & oil. Add wet ingredients to dry & mix until everything is moist.
Divide mixture among 24 greased or paper-lined mini-muffin cups & make sure to pack it down tightly to help hold everything together. Bake for 15 min, or until the edges begin to brown. Cool several minutes before un-molding.
Chill in refrigerator for up to 1 wk. Put into small zip-lock bags & enjoy during exercise.
Recipe adapted from Rocket Fuel: Power-Packed Food for Sports + Adventure
For more quick & easy sport food recipes, try these: