Homemade apricot and almond muscle bar

Advice 4 Feb 2010
Apricot and almond bar

This homemade fruit and nut bar will help you work out harder and for longer.

Ingredients
3 large oranges with pips removed
170g almond butter
350g dried apricots, chopped
225g porridge oats
1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
125g wholemeal self-raising flour
25g mixed seeds
1/2tsp bicarbonate of soda
1tsp ground cinnamon
Makes 16 bars
 
How to make it
Preheat the oven to 190˚C (Gas Mark 5). Measure 225g of the dried apricots and purée them with the oranges and almond butter in a blender to form a thick paste. Place the oats, flour, seeds, protein powder, soda and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in the rest of the apricots and then combine with the purée. Press the mixture into a greased shallow rectangular tin and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool for ten minutes, then cut into small bars and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
 
Why should I have it?
The nut butter and seeds are full of muscle-building protein, while the oats provide the B vitamins needed for efficient energy release. Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe stiff muscles, while bicarbonate of soda can reduce lactic acid production in muscles, meaning you can train for longer.
 
Nutrients per bar
202 calories, 25.1g carbs, 7.8g protein, 8.4g fat.
 
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