Healthy Banana Nut Granola Bars

Healthy Banana Nut Granola Bars
IMG_3139

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 bar

Healthy granola bars are often hard to find, and quite often, the processed commercial granola bars that are readily available are laden with chemicals and other additives. These granola bars are made from simple, real ingredients that you’ll feel good about putting in your body. They’re also versatile and can be made with many different ingredients that you may have in your cabinets.

This version combines a banana, a healthy source of potassium, with loads of fiber and healthy fat when added to the oats and almond/flax seeds. The maple syrup, though sweet, packs a ton of cancer-fighting antioxidants.

Pack this granola bar in your snack pack for an action filled afternoon spent outdoors, or add it to your kids lunch box for school. Any way you choose to eat these delicious bars, you can be sure that you’re getting only the best ingredients.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups/540 g. regular or gluten free rolled oats
1 banana, smashed
1/4 cup/50 g. whole roasted unsalted almonds
4 teaspoon/20 g. ground flax seed
1/3. cup/45 g dried cranberries
1/4 cup/60 ml. maple syrup
1/4 cup/60 g. almond butter
Dash pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1.) Combine oats, smashed banana, almonds, flax and cranberries in a bowl and set aside.

2.) Heat a small saucepan over low heat and add maple syrup and almond butter, stirring until slightly warmed and well mixed.

3.) Pour hot mixture over cold oat mixture and stir until well mixed.

4.) Line an 8×8 pan with plastic or parchment paper and pour granola bar mixture into the pan.

5.) Using a piece of parchment or plastic wrap, pat down mixture until well spread in the pan and even along the top.

6.) Keep covered, place pan in refrigerator or freezer for 45-60 minutes until hardened.

7.) When hardened, cut into 8 equal pieces, serve and enjoy!

Optional: Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 F/177 C before serving

 

This recipe was originally created for Reboot with Joe – http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/no-bake-banana-bread-granola-bars/

 

Isabel has experience helping clients achieve their nutrition and wellness goals. In addition to juicing, overall wellness and weight loss, Isabel’s areas of expertise include Food Allergies and Sensitivities and gastrointestinal conditions. Her passion for allergies and food sensitivities stem from her own personal experience with Celiac Disease and multiple other food sensitivities. In addition, Isabel has created a specialized program for Tennis athletes looking to optimize their performance. Isabel has her BA in Health and Exercise Sciences from Gettysburg College, MS in Nutrition Communications from Tufts University and will complete her requirements to become a Registered Dietitian in early 2014 after completing her dietetic internship at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. Isabel also works as a Nutritionist for Reboot with Joe leading web-based Guided Reboots successfully helping hundreds of people from around the world lose weight. In the past she has also volunteered with Stacy Kennedy, MPH, RD, CSO, LDN at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston; she has also worked with athletes, helping them to optimize their nutrition plans to improve their game and overall fitness. When Isabel isn’t helping clients with their nutrition, she enjoys yoga, kickboxing, tennis, playing with her Yorkshire Terrier Sasha and cooking gluten-free food at home.