How to Make Homemade Ration Bars

Several years back I was on a mission to create my own ration bars. I wanted to create something more palatable than the boat rations

Don’t get me wrong, those are great for the purpose they serve: an absolute last resort.

But a also wanted something for more everyday purposes, as well. A quick snack for a hike that wouldn’t go bad, but still gave me energy.

Or maybe as a snack during an emergency that required no cooking or special preservation method.

These won’t be like the store-bought boat ration bars you’d find on the shelves at the store. These are homemade and will have a shorter shelf life, but in general, these will also have a pretty long shelf life because of the basic ingredients and how they’re made.

I’d say these fall more in line with granola bars that last maybe slightly longer than regular granola bars.

How to make homemade ration bars:

I created three different varieties, if you use your creativity, I’m sure you could tweak these or change them up to fit your exact needs.

Peanut Butter Bars 

Supplies: 

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 3 tbsp peanut butter powder
• 1/4 tsp fiber powder (optional, but recommended)
• 2 tbsp sugar (or honey)
• 1 tsp protein powder (optional, but recommended)
• 1/2 cup of water

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 200. You may also use a dehydrator on low setting for about an hour or two, depending on the type of dehydrator you own. 
• Mix everything together in a bowl. The consistency shouldn’t be too wet or too dry. Everything should stick nicely together, but it shouldn’t be too sticky. If it’s not sticking nicely together, add a bit more water. If it’s too wet, add a bit more oats. 
• Place a cookie cutter onto the sheet then place batter into the cookie cutters to make consistent shapes. 
• Place into the above for 20 minutes. 
• Flip, then place in the oven for another 20 minutes. 
• Baking it is to make sure we’re drying it out to help extend the shelf life. Reduce the time in the oven if you’d like it softer. Increase time in the above if you’d like it harder. Keep in mind that it will harden slightly as it cools.  

Chocolate Bars

Supplies: 

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 1 tbsp fiber (optional, but recommended)
• 3/4 scoop of protein powder (optional, but recommended)
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder 
• 3/4-1 cup sugar (taste it to see how sweet you want the chocolate) 
• 1 tbsp Cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup water

Follow the instructions from the peanut butter bar recipe. 

Strawberry Bars

Supplies: 

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 1 tbsp fiber (optional, but recommended)
• 3/4 scoop of protein powder (optional, but recommended)
• 1 packet of strawberry jello powder 
• 2 tbsp sugar (or honey) (taste it to see how sweet you want it, add more if desired) 
• 1/2 cup water

Follow the instructions from the peanut butter bar recipe.

In any of these recipes, if you feel you need more or less of any ingredient, you are welcome to change it up as you need.

Shelf life of homemade ration bars:

Since these are dried fairly well, they carry a good shelf life on the counter. I let it sit out for a couple months and they were still good.

However, the absolute best way to preserve these would be in the freezer. Take out when you want to eat them over the next few days or couple weeks.

They’re great for going on a hike, while camping or even for quick snacks at home.

Which variety will you be making first?