Name: Protein Energy Bars
Cook time: 45 min
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 1 2/3 cup low-fat granola cereal; 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped; 1 cup flaked coconut; 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup whole wheat flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 15 ounce can pinto or Great Northern beans, rinsed drained and coarsely chopped; 1/2 cup dark raisins; 1/2 cup walnuts or almonds, chopped; 1/2 cup honey; 3 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted; 2 tablespoon canola oil; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/8 teaspoon salt

Protein Energy Bars

These protein-rich bars are made with beans, nuts and granola. Cinnamon, dates and coconut make these bars a tasty snack.

Notes

To see more great recipes featuring fruit, check out our Editor's Picks for 11 Very Easy Desert Recipes with Fruit.

To get additional recipes like this one, download The Ultimate List of Healthy Snacks: 40 Healthy Snack Recipes Free eCookbook.

Cooking Time45 min

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray
1 2/3 cup low-fat granola cereal
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup flaked coconut
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
15 ounces can pinto or Great Northern beans, rinsed drained and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup dark raisins
1/2 cup walnuts or almonds, chopped
1/2 cup honey
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Line a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan with foil. Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine cereal, dates, coconut, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in large bowl. Stir in beans, raisins, and nuts.
Combine honey, butter or margarine, oil, vanilla, and salt in small bowl. Add to cereal mixture; stir until combined. Spread in prepared pan.
Bake in preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until edges of bars are lightly brown and center is firm to touch. Cool completely.
Use foil to lift out of pan; cut into bars. Freeze bars, wrapped in foil, up to 3 months.