I’m not fancy, but there are a few foods that I try to buy organic 83% of the time. My list is partially inspired by the dirty dozen, partially inspired by my wallet/mood/horoscope. Apples are one of those foods I really try to buy organic, but that means they’re expensive!
So, I was a little pissed last week when I bit into my organic five dollar apple and it was ashy. Boo. Not cool. #FirstWorldProblems to the max so I should just shut it, but it’s part of the story so go with me here.
I wasn’t about to throw it away. So, I had to think fast. I decided to whip up a batch of Pre-Workout Bars with all the essentials of a before sweat session snack:
Carbs for energy
Fat for satiation
Chia seeds for magical running powers (+fiber & omega-3)
Salt for sodium
Apples for appleness
Boom. And so my Pre-Workout Apple Chia Bars where born.
Pre-Run Apple Chia Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
-
1/2 cup peanut butter
-
1/2 cup oats blended to flour
-
1/2 cup oats
-
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
-
1 egg
-
2 Tb chia seeds
-
1/2 heaping cup grated apple
-
1/2 tsp vanilla & baking soda
-
1/2 tsp salt
- add – milk sub to make batter-like if it’s too thick
-
optional: cranberries or raisins for extra sweetness and chew!
Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grate apple to make a heaping 1/2 cup (this was one very large apple for me). My apple was very water-y which added to the liquid in this recipe. If yours is dry you might want to add a splash of liquid.
Mix wet ingredients. If PB is too thick nuke it for a few seconds to make it easier to mix. Then mix, dry ingredients. If batter is too thick to pour add a few splashes of milk. Combine and pour into a well greased square 8×8 baking pan. Bake until set about 20 minutes and let cool completely before cutting. Store in fridge.
Enjoy before a run!
Or after your run with a glass of milk for some extra protein!
(These are another version I made that didn’t have enough carbs for pre-run fuel.)
Question: What fruit do you want to marry?
I want to marry watermelon! Obviously.
Sonya says
I don’t use sugar so can I substitute honey?
Sara says
Just made these. Amazeballs!!!
runeatrepeat says
Glad you liked them!
Nurit says
Hi there! I used your recipe to bake bars (though I changed apple for banana) and it turned out AWESOME! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
Kelly says
These look great, can’t wait to try them!
Charlotte says
Your first world problem turned into a third world solution. Great and creative work not being wasteful.
Anne C says
Cantaloupe. Can’t wait to try this recipe! My 3 year old will probably marry an apple soon- that’s all he wants to eat these days. He’s going to love these
Becky @ Ok, so here's the plan says
My food experiments never turn out that well!
I would totally marry raspberries. Lots of them.
Lis @ 26.2x2 says
Haha I love the graphic that says it’s more expensive because a cow pooped all over it. I don’t usually buy organic, and the one time I did, I bought some avocados (LOVE avocado) only to go home and find out they were bad. I was so mad! After spending like $10 on three avocados I decided that I wouldn’t be buying organic anymore!
sally @ sweat out the small stuff says
Not sure if I’m ready to propose but i’ve been loving blackberries lately….we’re still in the woo-ing period.
Heather @ Run Eat Play says
I would marry a strawberry and divorce a banana. Sorry banana, its just not working out.
runeatrepeat says
What’s wrong with you and banana?
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
Those look delicious! Great idea to use up your not so great apples. Mine usually just sit in the crisper until they’re wrinkly and I finally throw them away!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
Mangos. I want to marry a mango! These look yuuuuuumy!
runeatrepeat says
I bought a mango last week and it was the best thing ever! So good.
Anel says
Can I use instant oats instead of the regular oats?? I would marry a mango. 🙂
runeatrepeat says
Yes 🙂
Sarah says
Is that a Red Delicious? Those turn mealy so fast! Especially when you consider it was harvested months ago and has been sitting in a gassy warehouse. I’m having good luck with Fuji and Pink Ladies lately, but I live in the apple state (WA) so I’m spoiled.
runeatrepeat says
Yeah, it was a red delicious – that wasn’t too delicious.
Shannon in Tustin says
I want to marry a peach. A big, plump, dark blush colored, super fragrant California peach. We will live happily, ever-after! 😀
Valerie says
You are truly creative!
I’m trying these chia bars as soon as I can get out of the house to the store – snowed in again. I won’t be running outdoors in the near future!
I might tweak the recipe by reducing the brown sugar (gotta keep true to the low sugar eating plan!).
runeatrepeat says
Head’s up – I made them with protein powder instead of sugar and they were super super dry.
Valerie says
Thanks for the head’s up.
Megan @ The Skinny-Life says
Good job on salvaging that apple and turning into a cool recipe! Did you use 1 cup of oats total? I hate thinking about the dirty dozen. I read a book by Jillian Michaels last year about all the crap in our food & water that messes with our metabolism. It really grosses me out.
runeatrepeat says
Yes, 1 cup of oats total – 1/2 blended into flour.
Sue says
What oats did you used? Rolled oats? Steel cut? What about quick cooking oats?
logan mathis @ Flatstomachgoal says
I want to be a watermelon too! They’re amazing 🙂 I need to try those bars out. I have bunch of apples I need to use and this seems perfect. Thank you.
2 Cups 'N Run says
Those bars look gooood… I didn’t know chia seeds had magical running powers. Will have to try them. How much faster can I expect to run after I eat them?
runeatrepeat says
Like, super faster. At least in your head.