Your New Pocket-Sized Ski Snack

Have you ever looked at a prewrapped granola bar and wondered why such an odd baked good became so ubiquitous on American shelves, and in the hands of all sorts of athletes? I’ll be honest, I don’t know the answer to this. I do know, however, that the granola bar’s small size and tasty flavor make it an ideal food for the skier on the go. The Nordic Center I grew up skiing at would keep a pile of complimentary Nature Valley bars next to the hat rack, and I remember stuffing my pockets with many a bar before ski practice or a long adventure ski. If you don’t have a pile of free granola bars at your disposal though, and you often find yourself hankering for a nutritious pick-me-up partway through the ski day, there does exist a cost effective, healthy alternative to the pricy prepackaged stuff.

This six ingredient, no-bake granola bar recipe is a cinch to make, packed with protein, antioxidants and other goodies, and totally adaptable to your personal tastes.

Ingredients

• 1 cup nut butter (peanut, cashew, almond, or if you’re allergic to tree nuts, sunflower seed butter will all work)
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 ½ cups rolled oats
• Optional: 1/3 cup chopped chocolate bark, or mini chocolate chips

Directions

• Line a medium sized baking dish with parchment paper
• In a bowl, stir together the wet ingredients—nut butter, honey, and vanilla—plus the salt
• Stir in the rest of the ingredients. If you want to add any extra nutrition (cashew bits, pepitas, chocolate chips, dried blueberries) now is the time
• Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the pan. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour
• Cut into your desired bar size, pack ‘em up, and get adventuring!