Lindsay over at the Lean Green Bean inspired me to try this recipe. There’s a few different variations you can use depending on what ingredients you have hanging out in your pantry. It has a lot of flexibility so feel free to experiment! I also adapted the original recipe slightly to include less sugar. Even though the sugar comes from “natural” sources it still has calories and why eat excess calories if you don’t need to?!?
If you prep these during the weekend you and your family will have something quick and easy to grab in the morning for breakfast during the week. They will last all week and are very filling thanks to the added fiber! Waaaaaay better than a Pop Tart IMHO!! 🙂
I made these using spelt flour since I had a bag in the pantry I needed to use, but you could use any type of flour with this recipe. The original recipe calls for whole wheat flour but you could also use chickpea/garbanzo bean flour if you want to make the recipe gluten-free. You can typically find some type of gluten-free flour in grocery stores these days–Bob’s Red Mill is a good brand.
If you like to stick with a plant-based (vegan) diet you can also substitute the 2 egg whites with a flax egg (see…lots of flexibility!!). I used dried cranberries, toasted slivered almonds, and chia seeds for the bars you see posted here, but I think next time I might try some unsweetened coconut and chocolate chips. YUM!!!
For the nuts you could use anything that strikes your fancy: walnuts, pecans, or sliced/slivered almonds. I recommend toasting the nuts first for added flavor and a better texture.
Ingredients
2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (or small ripe banana–mashed)
2 egg whites
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup raw honey or agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour (or chickpea flour to make GF)
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 cups oats
2/3 cup nuts, toasted and chopped
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
Optional
1/2 cup no-sugar added dried cranberries
2 TBS chia seeds (for added fiber)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
Directions
1. Combine applesauce, vanilla, eggs, peanut butter and honey in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until just mixed.
3. Spoon into a greased 9×13 pan and bake at 375 for 20 min or until golden brown.
4. Let cool and cut into bars.
For super-easy meal prep, cut these into 12 bars and put each one in a Ziploc bag.
Enjoy and please share the love using the social media buttons below!
Amanda is a wife, toddler mom, PMAD survivor, certified nutrition and running coach, recovering perfectionist, and minimalist-in-training. Her mission in life is to help others get off the pity potty, embrace their own brand of weirdness, and get after their dreams. Proverbs 3:5-6