Gorp Energy Bars

I woke up the other morning thinking about Gorp bars and how to create a healthy, but delicious version. If you are planning a long bout of exercise and need a simple way to pack the same convenient nutritional punch as an energy bar (with ingredients you know are good for you), try GORP. GORP, which some say stands for “Good Old Raisins and nuts” or “Granola, Oats, Raisins and nuts,” others claim it is a backronym that actually stems from the Old English verb "gorp," meaning to eat greedily:)

GORP is chock full of vitamins and minerals necessary to fuel a long workout. While GORP can be mixed with a number of different ingredients based on an individual’s nutrition needs and taste preferences, some common ingredients include: cashews or almonds, raisins or dried fruit, chocolate chips, oats, and various seeds. You can experiment and add cashew butter instead of almond butter or dried fruit instead of raisins.  Also, adding 1/4 cup of seeds will add even more nutritional value. 

I came up with this creation that I personally love. These bars are made with oats, white whole wheat flour, almond butter, coconut oil, agave nectar, applesauce, Vegan chocolate chips, almonds and raisins.  These are a perfect extra energy snack or treat. 

Gorp Energy Bars
Printable Recipe

2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup almond butter
1/2 cup raw coconut oil
1/2 cup raw agave nectar
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup vegan semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup almonds (chopped)
1/4 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix dry ingredients together and set aside.  Mix almond butter, coconut oil, agave and applesauce together. Mix both dry & the wet mixtures together and then fold in the chocolate chips, almonds & raisins. 
Press into 9 x 9 greased baking dish trying to make it level.
Bake for 30 minutes.  Cut while hot (15 bars). Cool in dish.