Sunday, July 17, 2011

Easiest Ever Breakfast Bars

I am not a breakfast person, never have been.  I don't like or can't eat most 'breakfast food'.  I appear to be slightly allergic to eggs, can't drink milk and don't like dry cereal, I'm hypoglycemic so waffles and pancakes are out, love bacon, sausage & ham but I really don't need all the salt and preservatives.
I used to skip breakfast all together but as I got older and the hypoglycemia got worse I really needed to eat breakfast.  I will admit I have been very bad at doing Mickey D drive thrus for sausage biscuits, but I am making some changes and I have found the easiest and best breakfast for myself and I wanted to share it with you.
It's a homemade breakfast bar that beats the store bought ones by a mile as they are moist, chewy and flavorful, not dried out cardboard that has who knows what in it.  You can change up the ingredients depending on your taste.
Mash up 2 bananas, I use a potato masher but a fork would work.
Add in 2 cups of oatmeal and 1/4 or 1/8 cups of whatever else you like.  I don't really measure, it is not an exact science.
I used pecans but it could be any nuts you like.
I used raisins but it could easily have been craisins or chopped up dried fruit of any kind.
I added flax seed for the omega 3s, you could add wheat germ or whatever.
I added a few semi sweet chocolate chips for the anti oxidants and flavor and some peanut butter chips because I had them left over.
Coconut would be good too but I didn't have any.
One batch that I made I had added cinnamon and it was good too.
Mix it all up with a big spoon until it is well mixed.  It won't look like it will hold together but should be somewhat stuck in clumps.
Grease a 9x9 inch pan, I used a spray olive oil, and dump everything in the pan.  With the back of the spoon smooth it out evenly and press it into the pan.  Make sure you level the side edges.  Bake at 350 Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. 
Let cool and cut into pieces, I found cutting mine into 4 pieces was just the right amount, it is a meal after all.
Then I wrap them individually and pop in the freezer.  You can keep them in the fridge for several days with no problem, but I was making these for the week ahead as I had bananas going brown.
These are so easy to grab & go, quite filling and good for you.  I eat mine at work while I am checking emails and printing orders, with a glass of water or homemade juice.

Linked up at Scratch Cookin Tuesday!

8 comments:

Branlaadee said...

Going to have to try this. My husband has a breakfast bar every day at work. It'd be great to make our own!

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

These are so easy, it only takes me about 10 minutes and that includes washing the bowl and spoon.

Debra Dixon said...

Looks like a dessert!

Medieval Muse said...

This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing and I'm definitely going to try it.

Hazel said...

They sound yummy. I am going to give thme a try. Thanks for the recipe.

Anonymous said...

Looks so easy will have to try. I am hosting my 3rd blog hop at The Gathering Spot and would love you to link up. Have a wonderful day, Diane @ MamalDiane.com

Christy said...

Sounds delicious. When I make breakfast bars I cut open an old plastic bag (like from bread or whatever) and press it down over the mixture - it helps to tighten it and to even it out.

grannysvitalvittles said...

Thanks for sharing this with us over at Scratch Cookin' Tuesday!

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