Banana Nut Bars
By: Feed Me I'm Hungry
Category: snack
Ingredients
2 cups quick cook rolled oats
½ cup finely chopped walnuts (or other nuts of choice)
½ cup chopped raisins
3 medium ripe bananas
2 ½ tbsp melted butter
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tbsp ground flax seeds
Directions
Mix the oats, walnuts, ground flax seeds and raisins together in a mixing bowl. In a food processor, blend the bananas, melted butter and applesauce together. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry and allow to sit for up to 5 minutes, letting the oats soak up the moisture. Spoon the mixture into a greased cookie sheet by the tablespoonful or spread evenly across a cookie sheet, about ½ inch thick, for bars. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350F, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool slightly. Cut into small bars and remove and/or remove from sheet.
Yield: 24 cookies/bars
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Health Tip: When purchasing your rolled oats look for 'quick cook' and not 'instant' oats. Health wise there is a big difference. Instant oats are over processed and lacking in any real fiber, vitamins or minerals, besides that, they are often loaded with refined sugar and salt, taking away any of the health benefits you would be getting from this bar.
Alternative Ingredients:
Walnuts: These can be replace with any nut of your choice, just be sure to keep them small, the larger the nut, the harder it will be for this bar to hold together.
Raisins: You can replace the raisins with any dried fruit or your choice (ie chopped apricots, cranberries) or chocolate or carob chips. Even try a mixture of all of them for something different.
Quick cook rolled oats: Slow cooking oats can be used as well but they are larger and will make the cookie more crumbly and harder to chew for your little ones.
Ages & Stages:
6mths - 1yr. Not appropriate
1 - 2 yrs+ Appropriate. The only potential allergen is the walnuts so just be sure your child is not allergic before introducing.
Short Cuts: These bars freeze wonderfully well so make them ahead of time and stick them in your freezer for a quick snack!
Feed Me…I'm Hungry! is a self-published book featuring over 80 delectable recipes. Each recipe can be easily modified to suit different age groups, picky eaters, or special dietary requirements. Every selection features wonderful ingredients drawn from culturally diverse menus and inviting photographs.
Healthy Kid-Tested Recipes - Nutritionist approved - Dr. recommended!
Visit us online at: www.feedmecookbook.com
© Toronto4Kids - May 2008 |
