My husband is an amateur cyclist, I guess. He gets on his bike and rides, rides, rides. We’re talking 30+ miles. I’m going to assume that biking 30 miles takes a lot out of a person - believe me, I wouldn’t know from experience 
On one of his earlier rides, he came home and told me a story: Our friends gave him an energy bar for a zap of energy to keep him going for the rest of the trip. He took a bite, made a face, and commented how his wife’s cooking must have him spoiled because those bars were… not good.
He really is spoiled but I have no one to blame but myself. Especially since I ran out that day to get the goodies to make him homemade energy bars.
These bars aren’t just for amateur cyclists. I crumble one up in a bowl and top with plain yogurt for breakfast. No contest - it definitely beats my usual bowl of oatmeal.
Homemade Energy Bars
1 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter
2 2/3 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup soy protein powder or whey protein powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup roasted sun flower seeds
3/4 cup ’sun-ripened’ blueberries
3/4 cup ’sun-ripened’ cranberries
1/2 cup dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
Mix the syrup and peanut butter together in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well combined. Press it into the prepared pan. It will be slightly sticky but should still spread easily into the pan if you grease your fingers.
Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cut into bars while still warm but allow to cool completely in the pan. Wrap each bar individually and store for up to 10 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
Adapted from: Serious Eats