Hearty Breakfast Bars

If you haven't already noticed, I just love hearty and filling food. There's nothing worse than already being hungry an hour after eating a meal. Food should be something you can eat and enjoy, and then forget about until the next meal comes around. These bars definitely help accomplish that!

Not the greatest picture. This recipe was actually an experiment. And then I ate them too fast to remember to take another picture! I guess that's how you know they were pretty darn good!


You can really add whatever you like to these. I used fruit, nuts, seeds, and a handful of chopped dark chocolate for a little something different. I guarantee you will love these!


Hearty Breakfast Bars
Makes 9 bars

Ingredients:

• 3 medium ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tbsp nut butter - optional
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 dates, chopped
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup raisins (I used Thompson)
• 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp sunflower seeds (I used roasted unsalted)
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate - optional

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x9 pan.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Mix in the applesauce, vanilla, and nut butter (if using). Stir in the rest of the ingredients until combined.
3. Spread evenly into pan. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until golden.
4. Let cool and then cut into 9 bars.
5. Store in fridge covered in plastic wrap. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (without nut butter):
Calories: 234.6 kcal,   Total carbohydrates: 35.7 gm,   Fiber: 5.3 gm,   Total fat: 10.3 gm,   Protein: 4.4 gm