There are many variations of the granola bar, an oat-filled and chewy snack. Store-bought bars tend to be sugary and tasty — not to mention expensive — and not the kind of food you should eat while hiking or in a survival situation. When your body needs energy and you don’t have the option to eat a meal, the last thing you want to do is load up on empty calories and sugars that can slow you down. Sure, the sugar will give you a boost of energy, but what goes up must come down.
Homemade survival bars are the perfect solution. They include minimal ingredients, are lightweight, easy to store and can be made with fresh ingredients in an inexpensive way.
Granola bars can be as good for you as you choose, given that many ingredients can be substituted for healthier options. But that doesn’t mean survival bars can’t taste great. Peanut butter and dried fruit and nuts pack in flavor, and honey sweetens the deal. You can try different types of nut and fruit toppings so you don’t get bored of the same recipe. Some recipes call for baking, while others are bake-free. You can eat these survival bars for breakfast, on-the-go or in the wilderness!
Editors Note: A version of this article first appeared in the February 2015 print issue of American Survival Guide.