A while back before getting too busy creating Simply Taralynn, I wanted to help a lot of you share your blogs and recipes! I’ve decided to start posting those right one here! It makes it easier for all of us:) Here is a recipe that was submitted by Peaches and Prayers! Her granola bars are super healthy and made with no oils! You can read more about Rebecca here! (http://peachesandprayers.com/nutty-for-you-granola-bars-no-oil-low-in-sugar-all-natural/)
Now for the good part!! Before trying to go see Frozen (for the 4th time, I might add), I had this really random craving for some chewy granola bars, so I whipped up a batch real quick and boy… are they good!!
The ingredients I added (like the dried cranberries, chocolate chips and sunflower seeds) can be replaced with anything you want! You could used chopped peanuts, raisins, walnuts, etc.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups oats
3/4 chopped pecans
1/2 cup unsalted, raw sunflower seeds
2 large, ripe bananas
2/3 cup applesauce
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2 tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate)
1/4 cup agave or honey
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350.
2. Spread out the oats, pecans and sunflower seeds on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Toast in the oven for about 10 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, mash up the bananas then stir in the applesauce and agave or honey.
4. Transfer the toasted oats and nuts into a large bowl and stir in the dried cranberries, flax seed, spices and salt.
5. Stir the banana mixture into the oat mixture until well combined and it begins clumping together. Transfer to the baking dish and spread the mixture out until it forms an even layer.
6. Bake until the mixture is golden brown and starting to separate from the sides of the pan, for about 15-25 minutes. Mine got a little crispy on the edges due to the chocolate chips, so keep an eye on them when it gets around to 15 minutes to avoid any burning! Let the pan cool for 15 minutes and then cut into bars. Mine made 16.
Can you leave out the flaxseeds? Not just this recipe but in others as well? What purpose do they serve like how important?
You can leave out the ground flax, they add extra fiber and healthy fats. You can add an extra 2 tbs of oats if the batter seems too runny but you should just be able to omit it and have no problem!
Is there any other fruit or replacement I could use for the 2 large bananas?
Probably not, sometimes you can replace mashed bananas for avocado or mashed beans, but with this recipe that would taste pretty gross!
Granola bars is something I always lack time to make. Need to try these