Hungry kids walk in the door and want a ready-to-go snack? Need a quick and nutritious nosh to take along for a summer road trip?
Below is our recipe for homemade granola bars featuring this week’s health ingredient spotlight: oats.
All About Oats:
- Contain soluble fiber that helps counteract and reduce the “bad” or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in our bodies, also reducing overall body cholesterol
- Good protein source
- Naturally gluten-free but, if sensitive, make sure gluten-free is clearly stated on packaging
- Satiating, helpful in weight-loss programs
Kosher status: Raw, rolled, instant, quick forms are inherently Kosher as long as there are no additives.
Homemade Adventure Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 very ripe banana, mashed
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tb honey
- 1 egg white
- 1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 Tablespoons flax seeds (more on flax seeds)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds (more on chia seeds)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine the banana, applesauce, honey, egg white, 1 tsp cinnamon, vanilla extract, in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Add to liquid mixture and stir well to combine.
- Press mixture into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes; for chewier bars bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Once done, invert onto a cooling rack or hard surface and allow the bars to cool before slicing.
Recipe credit: ericasweettooth.com
Note: Many commercial granola bars have a Beracha Rishona of Ha’adama because the oats remain whole and retain their individual shape. The oats in this recipe appear to lose their original shape and the Beracha Rishona would be Mezonos and Beracha Achrona Al Hamichya.
The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.