Peanut Butter Oat Cereal

If you haven't seen the news the past few months, cereal has been center-stage. Commercial breakfast cereals are being bashed for being incredibly high in sugar and low in the important stuff - natural fiber and protein. One serving of Honey Smacks cereal has 15 grams of sugar - that's over 3 teaspoons of sugar for breakfast! And we all know that most people aren't eating just one serving of cereal...Not the best way to start the day.

Instead, how about of some homemade cereal that's free of preservatives and wasn't made in a factory? I promise, this recipe is a cinch to make! This recipe can easily by made vegan and/or gluten-free.

These squares are hearty, filling, and utterly delicious. This cereal can be eaten as is, with milk, or my favorite - sprinkled on top of yogurt.

Peanut Butter Oat Squares
Adapted from BHG
Servings: 8

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (or GF flour)
• 2 tbsp flaxseed
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp all-natural peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
• 3 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp honey (or agave to make vegan)
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt

Cereal before baking

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place oats in a food processor and process until finely ground. Add flour, flaxseed, brown sugar, peanut butter, water, honey, baking soda, and salt. Cover and process until combined.
2. Coat a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Press oat mixture firmly into the baking pan. Cut mixture into 1-inch squares. Bake about 20-30 minutes or until golden.
3. Remove from oven and allow to cool about 5 minutes. When cool enough to touch, break apart into squares. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition per serving:
Calories: 150 cal,   Total carbohydrates: 23.5 g,   Fiber: 3.4g,   Sugar: 7.4 g,   Total fat: 5.4 g,   Protein, 4.8 g