Nutty Chocolate Banana Granola Bars
These delightful Nutty Chocolate Banana Granola Bars are a guilt-free treat that provides a delicious combination of flavors and nutrients. Adapted from the beloved Smitten Kitchen blog, this recipe eliminates flour and sugar while highlighting the irresistible trio of chocolate, peanut butter, and banana. Packed with wholesome ingredients like quick-cooking oats, almonds, and seeds, these bars make for an energizing snack or a healthy breakfast on the go. Perfectly chewy with a hint of crispness, they are easy to prepare and great for sharing or enjoying throughout the week. Embrace a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing taste!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
quick-cooking rolled oats
1 2/3 cups (dry)
sugar-free powdered chocolate milk mix
1/2 cup (dry)
oat bran
1/3 cup (dry)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (dry)
ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (dry)
almonds
1/2 cup (chopped)
raisins
1/2 cup (dry)
puffed cereal
1 cup (dry)
pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup (dry)
flax seeds
2 tablespoons (dry)
chia seeds
2 tablespoons (dry)
peanut butter
1/3 cup (smooth)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (liquid)
melted butter
6 tablespoons (liquid)
no sugar added banana syrup
1/4 cup (liquid)
agave nectar
2 tablespoons (liquid)
water
1 tablespoon (liquid)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, ensuring it hangs over the edges for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment paper and any exposed parts of the pan.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the quick-cooking rolled oats, powdered chocolate milk mix, oat bran, salt, ground cinnamon, almonds, raisins, puffed cereal, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds. Stir until evenly mixed.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla extract, banana syrup, agave nectar, and water until smooth and well combined.
4
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated and crumbly.
5
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly and evenly using a spatula or your hands to ensure it holds together during baking.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The center may appear slightly soft but will firm up as it cools.
7
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a cooling rack. For quicker cooling, you can lift the bars out using the parchment paper after 20 minutes.
8
Once cool, use a serrated or bench knife to cut into 12 squares. If the bars are crumbly, chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cutting.
9
Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap or store them stacked in an airtight container. They will keep fresh in the refrigerator, especially in humid weather, and also freeze well for longer storage.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Nutty Chocolate Banana Granola Bars?
They are a flourless and sugar-free snack bar made with oats, nuts, seeds, and a combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and banana flavors.
Are these granola bars gluten-free?
Yes, they are tagged as gluten-free, though you should ensure your quick-cooking oats are certified gluten-free if you have a strict sensitivity.
How many servings does this recipe produce?
This recipe makes 12 individual square granola bars.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What type of oats should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 2/3 cups of quick-cooking rolled oats.
Is there flour in this recipe?
No, this recipe is designed to be flour-free.
Does this recipe contain refined sugar?
No, it uses sugar-free chocolate milk mix, banana syrup with no added sugar, and agave nectar as sweeteners.
What size pan is needed for baking?
You should use an 8-inch square baking pan.
How long do the bars need to bake?
The bars should bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Which seeds are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Line the pan with parchment paper allowing it to hang over the edges, then lightly grease the paper and any exposed pan surfaces.
What provides the banana flavor?
The flavor comes from 1/4 cup of no sugar added banana syrup.
What provides the chocolate flavor?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of sugar-free powdered chocolate milk mix.
What kind of peanut butter works best?
The recipe recommends using 1/3 cup of smooth peanut butter.
What should I do if the bars are too crumbly to cut?
If they are crumbly, chill the bars in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before attempting to cut them.
How should the granola bars be stored?
Store them in an airtight container. In humid weather, it is best to keep them in the refrigerator.
Can these bars be frozen?
Yes, these granola bars freeze well for long-term storage.
What is the texture of these granola bars?
They are described as perfectly chewy with a hint of crispness.
What kind of puffed cereal should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of puffed cereal, which adds to the light and crispy texture.
Are there raisins in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 cup of raisins for natural sweetness and texture.
What is the purpose of oat bran in this recipe?
Oat bran adds extra fiber and helps with the overall structure of the bars.
Why is water included in the wet ingredients?
A small amount (1 tablespoon) of water is used to help bind the wet mixture and ensure the oats are sufficiently hydrated.
Can I substitute the almonds?
Yes, while the recipe calls for chopped almonds, you can substitute them with other nuts like walnuts or pecans.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The edges will be golden brown. The center might look slightly soft but it will firm up as it cools.
What tool is best for cutting the bars?
A serrated knife or a bench knife is recommended for making clean cuts once the bars are cool.
How should I press the mixture into the pan?
Press it down firmly and evenly using a spatula or your hands to make sure the bars hold together.
Is this recipe based on another source?
Yes, it is adapted from a recipe found on the Smitten Kitchen blog.
What are the primary flavor components?
The primary flavors are chocolate, peanut butter, and banana.
Are these bars suitable for a healthy breakfast?
Yes, they are described as an energizing snack or a healthy breakfast on the go.
How many dry ingredients are mixed together?
There are 11 dry ingredients: oats, chocolate mix, oat bran, salt, cinnamon, almonds, raisins, puffed cereal, and three types of seeds.