Banana Chocolate Nut Energy Bars with Vi-Shape Nutrional Shake Mix

I had been wanting to make energy bars as an afternoon snack for the kids but hadn't gotten around to it. The great thing about energy bars is that it ties them over until dinner time. If they don't get a good afternoon snack then 20 minutes later they're back asking for another snack, and another and another.

When I was contacted by Vi-Shape to develop a recipe with their nutritional shake mix, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to develop an energy bar recipe. Their shake mix is loaded with all kinds of vitamins, fiber, protein, and nutrients and the sweet cream taste combined really well with the nuts and oatmeal.

I started with my basic granola recipe but added a little bit more flour, the Vi-shake mix, and the bananas to make it into more of a bar but still with the hearty, chunky granola texture. The end result was awesome, everything you want in an energy bar with only a fraction of the sugar that you usually find in store bought brands. This is a recipe that is meant to be experimented with so don't worry if you are missing some ingredients. Use whatever nuts or dried fruit you have lying around or even try adding some chocolate chips or coconut for a different variation.

Banana Chocolate Nut Energy Bars with Vi-Shape Nutrional Shake Mix

Makes roughly 20 bars.

3 cups whole oats

1/2 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup Vi-Shape NutrionalShake Mix Sweet Cream Flavor

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup ground cacao nibs

1/3 cup almonds

1/3 cup pecans

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 over ripe bananas

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees
2. Mix oats, flour, Vi-shapeNutritional Shake Mix, cinnamon, salt and cacao nibs
3. Chop the almonds and pecan into large pieces and add together with the sunflower seeds to the oat mixture
4. In a microwavable bowl or small saucepan, mix brown sugar, peanut butter, honey, vegetable oil, coconut oil, and bananas together. Mash the bananas and mix well with the other ingredients. Microwave on high for a minute or two or heat over the stovetop until almost boiling. It's ok if there are still a few banana lumps but it should be mostly mixed up. (It's also OK to get help with this part if you have some little people around).
5. Add the wet ingredients to the oat mixture and mix well.
6. Pour into a greased 9 by 13 inch glass dish and bake for 25 minutes.
7. Cut into bars and enjoy with a cold glass of milk.