Healthy Breakfast Bars (Gluten Free)

Ingredients

There are lots of store bought breakfast bars available, but they're usually filled with tons of sugar and ingredients you can't pronounce. However, these healthy homemade breakfast bars are filled with healthier whole foods! Plus, you can customize to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Here's what you need to make this healthy breakfast bar recipe:

• Nut butter - I use peanut butter
• Banana 
• Maple syrup 
• vanilla extract
• Rolled oats 
• Baking soda
• Sea salt
• Dairy free chocolate chips 
• Pumpkin seeds
• Pecans omit for nut free
• Dried cranberries or raisins

How to Make Homemade Breakfast Bars

Here's all you need to do to make the best breakfast bars ever!

1. Whisk the nut butter, banana, maple syrup and vanilla extract in a bowl.
2. Mix in the oats, baking soda and salt to the bowl.
3. Fold in the chocolate chips, nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
4. Pour the batter into a prepared square baking pan.
5. Bake.
6. Cool and enjoy!

More Breakfast Bar Ideas

Feel free to try adding other mix ins, just reduce the amount of the other ingredients to keep the total to amount around 1 cup. If you add too many extras the breakfast bars won't stay together.

• Chia seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Flaxseeds
• Millet
• Walnuts
• Peanuts
• Almonds
• Switch out the chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs for an extra healthy version
• Seasonings like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even pumpkin pie spice!
• You can substitute the maple syrup with ½ cup date paste
• For a nut free version use sunflower butter for another seed butter

What to Serve With Breakfast Bars

The great thing about having a granola bar for breakfast is that you can grab them while you're running out the door! If you have a few extra minutes though, pair it with a refreshing smoothie:

• Healthy Apple Pie Smoothie
• Protein Coffee Smoothie
• Vegan PB&J Smoothie
• Spinach Banana Smoothie
• Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Preparation Tips

• When mixing the wet ingredients, it's okay to have some banana chunks.
• To avoid sticking, prepare the baking pan with a little oil or cooking spray.
• Avoid over-baking or they will get crumbly and fall apart. The bars will harden more as they cool.
• Cool completely before cutting.

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

• If you want to bake the bars fresh but prepare them ahead of time:
  • Measure the dry ingredients and store in airtight containers like the Rubbermaid with the EasyFindLids System™ until ready to use.
  • Place the oats, baking soda, and salt in one container.
  • Store the chocolate chips, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another.
• Store the baked healthy breakfast oatmeal bars in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

The Best Storage Containers

Having breakfast and snacks prepared ahead of time makes life so easy, so you want to make sure you keep those foods as fresh as possible with some quality airtight containers. This is why I love Rubbermaid with the EasyFindLids System™ the most!

• Organized cabinets are one of the best reasons these are a win! The interchangeable lids snap together with the bases which keeps everything stacked perfectly.
• The containers are BPA-free!
• And, becuase who wants to hand wash everything, they're also top-rack dishwasher-safe.
• Plus, they're freezer-safe for long term storage, and microwave-safe for reheating!