No-Bake Energy Bars

These crunchy, protein-packed treats make nutritious snacks on the go. Companies first developed energy bars as snacks for athletes and astronauts between the 1950s and 1990s, and now they are easy for kids to make at home.

Ingredients:

16 oz. sunflower seed butter OR nut butter

¼ honey OR maple syrup

1 cup puffed cereal OR puffed millet

2 cups rolled oats

½ cup raisins OR cranberries

½ cup roasted sunflower seeds

½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds

¼ cup flax seeds

½ cups unsweetened, shredded coconut (optional)

¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Equipment:

9 x 12 inch casserole dish
Large bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Parchment paper OR wax paper
Refrigerator

Ingredients:

16 oz. sunflower seed butter OR nut butter

¼ honey OR maple syrup

1 cup puffed cereal OR puffed millet

2 cups rolled oats

½ cup raisins OR cranberries

½ cup roasted sunflower seeds

½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds

¼ cup flax seeds

½ cups unsweetened, shredded coconut (optional)

¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Equipment:

9 x 12 inch casserole dish
Large bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Parchment paper OR wax paper
Refrigerator

Directions:

  1. Prepare a 9 x 12 inch casserole dish by lightly brushing it with oil.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the sun butter with the honey.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well to coat everything with the sun butter mixture.
  4. Spread the well mixed ingredients into the prepared pan. Smooth evenly with a spatula and then pack down firmly.
  5. Cover with parchment paper and press bars down again to really compact them.
  6. Chill or freeze for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares.