October 23, 2018
Easy Banana Granola Bars
These Easy Banana Granola Bars have zero added sugar and are loaded with fiber,
whole-grains and protein for a healthy snack that kids and adults will love!
They are vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Today I’m going to share with you a
recipe for Chiquita Banana Granola Bars, which as I mentioned, aligns with the
ACS’ nutrition guidelines. The ACS recommends a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, and limits red and processed meat
-- exactly the lifestyle that I follow and recommend.
This recipe has no-added sugar. And
I'm not talking about maple syrup or honey either. No sugar. They are naturally
sweet from the bananas, which are rich in potassium and fiber, and are sweet on
their own making them an awesome healthy swap. The oats are also rich in fiber
and the nuts provide healthy fats and some protein. These are nutritious enough
that you could eat them for breakfast and are tasty enough for a snack or
dessert!
My kids and I are totally crazy for
snacks! While we do buy packaged snacks, I like making my own when possible
because I know exactly what is in them and can make them healthier than
store-bought versions. These Chiquita Banana Granola Bars take about 5 minutes
of prep time before you throw them in the oven to bake and you have healthy
snacks for the week in no time.
These bars are so easy to make that
my daughter who just turned 4 can make them. I chopped the nuts myself and she
helped with the rest. It was really fun to make these together! Just mash the
bananas with a fork and then mix in the rest of the ingredients, pour into a
pan and bake for 25 minutes. Super easy!
Yield: 7 bars
Chiquita Banana Granola Bars
Chiquita
Banana Granola Bars have zero added sugar and are loaded with fiber,
whole-grains and protein for a healthy snack that kids and adults will love!
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutesTotal time: 30 mins
INGREDIENTS
- 2 very ripe bananas, with brown spots on peel
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 cups oats
- 1/4 cup mixed nuts, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Mash bananas with a fork and add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
- Scrape the mixture into the baking dish and press down firmly with a spatula until everything is even.
- Bake for about 25 minutes- can add up to 5 minutes if bars do not seem done. For a slightly chewier bar, take out after 25 minutes.
Tip: You can use frozen bananas for this recipe as well. Just let them thaw before mashing.
Enjoy!
Enjoy and be sure to check out the
pink stickers on Chiquita bananas at your local store and all of the healthy
recipes that meet the American Cancer Society’s nutrition guidelines at
Chiquita.com!
Find more healthy recipes made with Chiquita bananas here.
Like this recipe? Check out other recipes using bananas:
Strawberry Banana Breakfast PopsiclesPeanut Butter Banana Muffins
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
Blueberry Banana Zucchini Bread
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