Why You’ll Love This Homemade Bike Energy Bar
If you’ve ever been halfway through a long bike ride when hunger strikes and energy wanes, you’ll understand why these homemade bike energy bars are about to become your new best friend.
I’ve bonked on countless rides before discovering this recipe. Now I keep these wrapped treasures in my jersey pocket for instant fuel.
Unlike store-bought versions, you control exactly what goes in them. Whole wheat flour, wheat germ, and rolled oats provide slow-burning carbs, while nuts and dried fruit deliver natural energy.
The chocolate chips? Just a little reward for tackling that steep hill.
Plus, they freeze beautifully. Make a batch Sunday, grab one Thursday. Your legs will thank you.
What Ingredients are in Homemade Bike Energy Bar?
These homemade bike energy bars contain everything a cyclist needs for sustained energy on long rides.
I’ve found the perfect balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats in this recipe, making it ideal for tucking into a jersey pocket or stashing in a bike bag. The combination of whole grains, dried fruits, and nuts provides both quick and slow-release energy—exactly what your body craves when you’re pushing through those challenging miles.
- 1/4 cup butter, melted (or 1/4 cup oil)
- 8 large egg whites, beaten
- 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups chopped dried fruit
- 2 1/2 cups nuts, chopped
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. Don’t feel locked into using specific dried fruits or nuts—mix and match whatever you prefer or have on hand.
Apricots, cranberries, and raisins work wonderfully, while almonds, walnuts, and pecans all provide different nutritional benefits and flavors. For those with dietary restrictions, the oil can replace butter for a dairy-free version, and you can adjust the sweetness by using more or less brown sugar.
Just remember that these ingredients work together to provide the perfect fuel for your ride, so maintain a good balance of carbs, protein, and fats.
How to Make This Homemade Bike Energy Bar
Making these energy bars couldn’t be simpler, and the process starts with preheating your oven to 350 degrees. While it’s warming up, grab a 9×13 baking pan and give it a thorough greasing—this prevents your bars from sticking and makes cleanup so much easier.
In a large bowl, beat together the 8 large egg whites and 1/4 cup of melted butter (or oil if you prefer). These wet ingredients create the foundation that binds everything together.
Next comes the dry ingredient prep. In a separate bowl, sift together 3/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder, 3/4 cup rolled oats, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 cup brown sugar.
Once they’re well mixed, add this dry combination to your egg mixture and stir until just combined—no need to overwork the batter. Then fold in the good stuff: 2 cups of chopped dried fruit, 2 1/2 cups of chopped nuts, 3/4 cup chocolate chips, and 1/4 cup sesame seeds. The mixture might seem quite chunky and dense, but that’s exactly what we want for energy-packed bars.
Spread the mixture evenly in your prepared pan, pressing it down slightly with a spatula or your fingertips. Pop it into the oven for about 30 minutes.
Don’t worry if they still seem a bit soft when you take them out—that’s how they should be. Let the entire pan cool completely before cutting into 24 pieces.
For maximum freshness and convenience, wrap each piece individually in foil and store them in the freezer. When you’re ready for a ride, just grab one (or two) and go—they’ll thaw quickly in your pocket and provide perfect fuel when you need it most.
Homemade Bike Energy Bar Substitutions and Variations
While the core recipe produces fantastic energy bars, you’ll love how versatile this formula really is.
Don’t have wheat germ? Substitute ground flaxseed for an omega-3 boost. Feeling adventurous? Swap chocolate chips for dried cranberries or blueberries—perfect for summer rides when chocolate might melt.
The nuts are totally customizable too. I prefer a mix of walnuts and almonds for their protein content, but cashews add a buttery texture I crave after steep climbs.
The sweetness level can be adjusted by reducing the brown sugar to 1/2 cup.
Your body, your ride, your choice. Why not try adding cinnamon or cardamom?
What to Serve with Homemade Bike Energy Bar
So what should you pair with your freshly made bike energy bars for that perfect ride?
I’ve found that a stainless steel water bottle filled with electrolyte water works wonders, especially on those grueling uphill climbs where I’m questioning my life choices.
For longer adventures, I pack sliced oranges—nature’s invigorating mouth reset—alongside a small bag of salted nuts for extra protein.
A thermos of warm herbal tea can be magical during cool weather rides.
Final Thoughts
These homemade bike energy bars have become my faithful companions on countless rides through valleys, mountains, and city streets alike.
I’ve tweaked the recipe over years of trial and error, finding the perfect balance of protein, carbs, and flavor that keeps me going when my legs start to question my life choices.
What I love most is their versatility—swap dried cherries for apricots, walnuts for almonds, or add a dash of cinnamon when you’re feeling fancy.
Make them your own. Trust me, your body will thank you around mile 40 when store-bought options just don’t cut it anymore.
Pedal-Powered Energy: Homemade Bike Bar Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, beat together the egg whites and melted butter (or oil if using).
- In a separate bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, wheat germ, baking powder, nonfat dry milk powder, rolled oats, salt, and brown sugar.
- Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the chopped dried fruit, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, and sesame seeds until evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking pan, pressing it down slightly with a spatula or your fingertips.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes. The bars may still seem slightly soft when removed from the oven.
- Allow the pan to cool completely before cutting into 24 pieces.
- For best results, wrap each piece individually in foil and store in the freezer until needed.
