Nutritious Crunchy Granola Bars
Start your day off right with these Nutritious Crunchy Granola Bars that combine wholesome ingredients for a delicious breakfast or snack. Made with ripe bananas and a perfect blend of whole wheat flour, oats, and puffed grains, these bars pack in the fiber and nutrients you need. With a delightful hint of cinnamon and the sweetness of dried fruits, these bars are not just good for you—they’re incredibly satisfying and easy to grab on the go. Enjoy them at breakfast, as a mid-afternoon snack, or fuel up before or after your workout. Plus, they’re easy to make, requiring just a few steps to whip up a batch of 24 bars that you can store for later munching!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bananas
2 (mashed)
Light Brown Sugar
1/2 cup (packed)
Splenda Granular
1 cup (granulated)
Eggs
2 (large, beaten)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 cups
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Old Fashioned Oats
1 1/2 cups
Puffed Kashi
2 cups
Raisins
1/2 cup (dried)
Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup (dried)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Then, add the light brown sugar and Splenda, and beat until the mixture is creamy.
3
Crack in the eggs and add vanilla extract, continuing to beat until everything is well-combined.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
5
Fold in the old fashioned oats, puffed Kashi, raisins, and dried cranberries, ensuring all ingredients are evenly mixed.
6
Line a 13x9 inch baking pan with tin foil, leaving some overhang to help lift the bars later. Spread the mixture evenly in the pan.
7
Bake for 27-30 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 1 minute. Use the tin foil overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and set on a cooling rack. Carefully peel away the sides of the tin foil and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
9
Once cooled, cut into 24 even servings and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Nutritious Crunchy Granola Bars?
Nutritious Crunchy Granola Bars are a wholesome breakfast or snack option made with mashed bananas, whole wheat flour, oats, and puffed grains.
How many bars does this recipe make?
This recipe makes a total of 24 granola bars.
What is the main sweetener used in these bars?
The recipe uses a combination of light brown sugar and Splenda Granular for sweetness.
Can I use regular sugar instead of Splenda?
Yes, you can substitute the Splenda with regular granulated sugar if you prefer not to use an artificial sweetener.
What kind of oats should I use?
You should use Old Fashioned Oats to ensure the bars have the correct texture.
How do I prepare the bananas for the bars?
The bananas should be mashed until smooth in a large mixing bowl before adding other ingredients.
What oven temperature is required?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the bars.
How long do the granola bars need to bake?
The bars should bake for 27 to 30 minutes.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour.
Can I substitute the whole wheat flour?
While whole wheat flour is used for nutrition, you could substitute it with all-purpose flour or a gluten-free blend.
What is Puffed Kashi?
Puffed Kashi is a puffed whole grain cereal that adds crunch and fiber to the granola bars.
Can I use a different cereal if I don't have Puffed Kashi?
Yes, any puffed grain cereal like puffed rice or puffed wheat can be used as a substitute.
Do these granola bars contain eggs?
Yes, this recipe includes two large, beaten eggs.
Are these granola bars vegan?
As written, they contain eggs and are not vegan. However, you can try using an egg substitute like flax eggs to make them vegan-friendly.
How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?
Line your 13x9 inch baking pan with tin foil, leaving an overhang to help lift the bars out after baking.
How do I know when the bars are done?
The edges should be light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, you can fold in chopped nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pecans for extra protein and crunch.
What dried fruits are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for a half cup each of raisins and dried cranberries.
Can I use other types of dried fruit?
Certainly! Chopped dried apricots, dates, or blueberries would work well as alternatives.
How should I store these granola bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator to keep them fresh.
How long do these bars stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container, they typically stay fresh for up to one week.
Can I freeze these granola bars?
Yes, these bars freeze well. Wrap them individually and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Are these bars a good pre-workout snack?
Yes, the combination of oats, grains, and fruit provides a good source of energy for physical activity.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients required to make these granola bars.
What size baking pan should I use?
You should use a standard 13x9 inch baking pan.
Is there cinnamon in these bars?
Yes, the recipe includes one teaspoon of ground cinnamon for flavor.
Can I omit the salt?
Yes, but a small amount of salt is used to enhance the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
How long should the bars cool before cutting?
Let them cool for one minute in the pan, then lift them out and allow them to cool completely at room temperature before cutting.
What is the texture of these bars?
These bars are designed to be crunchy and satisfying.
Are these granola bars high in fiber?
Yes, the use of whole wheat flour, oats, and puffed grains makes these bars a high-fiber snack option.