Cereal Bars Healthy Homemade Gluten Free Vegan from www.tessadomesticdiva.com
Introduction
Cereal bars make great snacks for busy people on-the-go. However, most commercial cereal bars are loaded with sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. But don't worry, you can make your own healthy cereal bars at home using wholesome ingredients that are good for you. In this article, we will share with you a simple and delicious recipe for healthy cereal bars that you can make in no time.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make healthy cereal bars:
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
1/2 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)
1/2 cup seeds (such as sunflower, pumpkin, or sesame seeds)
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1/2 cup nut butter (such as peanut, almond, or cashew butter)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Notes on Ingredients
You can use any combination of nuts, dried fruit, and seeds that you like. Be sure to chop the nuts and dried fruit into small pieces so that they mix well with the other ingredients. You can use either honey or maple syrup as a sweetener. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add more sweetener. You can use any nut butter that you like. If you have a nut allergy, you can use soy butter or sunflower seed butter instead. You can use either virgin or refined coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil has a stronger coconut flavor, while refined coconut oil has a milder taste.
Instructions
Here's how to make healthy cereal bars:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, and seeds.
In a small saucepan, heat the honey or maple syrup, nut butter, and coconut oil over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and well combined.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
Pour the nut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir well to coat.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Once cooled, lift the cereal bars out of the baking dish using the parchment paper and cut them into bars or squares.
Notes on Instructions
Be sure to press the mixture down firmly in the baking dish so that the bars hold together well. Let the bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help them hold their shape. You can store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Nutrition
Here's the nutrition information for one cereal bar (assuming 12 bars per recipe):
Calories: 250
Protein: 6g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 15g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 60mg
Notes on Nutrition
The nutrition information may vary depending on the exact ingredients you use. These cereal bars are high in fiber and healthy fats, and contain no cholesterol. However, they are also relatively high in sugar, so be sure to enjoy them in moderation.
Conclusion
Making your own healthy cereal bars is easy and fun. With this recipe, you can enjoy delicious and nutritious snacks that are good for you. Try adding different nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to customize the bars to your liking. And remember, these bars are meant to be a snack, not a meal replacement. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
