My mum learned early on to carry crackers with her wherever she went. Really, it was an act of self-preservation. My dad and I suffered from a condition called non-glucose-grumpus. Yeah, no food…low blood sugar…GRUMPY! Out came the crackers – preferably the cellophane-wrapped double packs of saltines. It was enough to calm Sir Grump-a-lot and his daughter until the next meal could be found.
Now I am very careful not to miss a meal. The day stay starts with something substantial enough to re-fuel me after a workout and to hold me through until the next meal. Typically that’s something like a Healthy Yogurt Parfait with Blueberries & Granola or a Frittata with Artichoke & Tomato. When I’m in a hurry, I grab something quick and easy like these granola bars, made flavorful with dried mango, hazelnuts and ground ginger.
I shared my first version of low fat granola bars several months ago. They were also low sugar, only sweetened with some mashed banana. If you can find dried mango that’s not sweetened, this current version can also be deemed very low in sugar. If you can’t find the unsweetened version, these will still contain far less sugar than any granola bar you can buy at the grocery store.
These granola bars are soft and chewy rather than crispy, and are truly addictive. They are at their best when chilled and left to rest in the fridge before eating.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a 8- by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, with about 1 inch of parchment paper overlapping the sides.
Spread out the oats and chopped hazelnuts on a baking sheet. Place in the oven until they are lightly toasted, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully so they don’t burn.
In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with the back of a fork. Stir in applesauce until combined.
Transfer the oats and hazelnuts to a large bowl and stir in dried mango, ground flax seed (flax meal), ground ginger and salt.
Stir the banana mixture into the oat mixture until well combined and starting to clump together. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press down evenly.
Bake until the bars are golden brown and starting to separate from sides of the pan, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Let cool to room temperature, then cut into bars.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Other granola bar recipes:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Low Fat Granola Bars with Banana, Cranberries & Pecans
How Sweet It Is’Chewy Coconut Granola Bars
Tasty-Trials’ No Bake Nutty Chocolate Granola Bars
Sweet Pea’s Kitchen’s Fruit & Nut Granola Bites
Savory Simple’s Vegan Granola Bars
From the kitchen of Cookin Canuck. www.cookincanuck.com
Ingredients
- 2 1/3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 2 large, ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup chopped dried mango
- 1 tbsp ground flax seed (or flax meal)
- 3/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 8- by 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, with about 1 inch of parchment paper overlapping the sides.
- Spread out the oats and chopped hazelnuts on a baking sheet. Place in the oven until they are lightly toasted, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn.
- In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with the back of a fork. Stir in applesauce until combined.
- Transfer the oats and hazelnuts to a large bowl and stir in dried mango, ground flax seed (flax meal), ground ginger and salt.
- Stir the banana mixture into the oat mixture until well combined and starting to clump together. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press down evenly.
- Bake until the bars are golden brown and starting to separate from sides of the pan, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
- Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. Let cool to room temperature, then cut into bars.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.






















{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
If you endorse this as being healthy and low fat then I am all over it cant wait to try it… btw your photos are fabulous on your accomplishment in weight loss. You were always gorgeous either way, congratulations, the maintaining is very difficult at times.. I am down 22 pounds… you certainly look healthy!
Well done, Claudia! Yes, the maintenance is definitely a conscious effort…but so worth it.
I love this recipe! I am always looking for something to munch on after a workout and these are just perfect. Thank you! Another great recipe!
Thanks, Traci! I love that these are so easy to just grab and go before and after a workout.
Love all of the flavors in these healthy bars!
Thanks, Maria. The mango, ginger and hazelnuts really do work well together.
Love making homemade granola bars! Always feel so much better knowing exactly what’s in them. This ingredient combo sounds delicious!!
I feel the same way, Ali. The long list of unnatural sounding ingredients in some store-bought ingredients makes me jumpy.
Oh wow I can’t wait to try these!
Thanks, Eliza. Homemade granola bars are a favorite in our house.
how much mango?
Sorry about that, Angela. I just edited the recipe to read 1/2 cup chopped dried mango.
You grumpy, I think not
great looking bars and fantastic pics!
Take care..
Ha! Apparently, you’ve never seen me when I’m hungry. It’s not pretty.
I love that your mum always carried saltines around with her! These granola bars would be fabulous to always have in your purse, much better than saltines
I agree, Becky. However, those saltines really did the trick at the time.
this is totally up my alley! It was so great to see you this weekend even if just for a bit!
I ran out of granola this weekend and was staring at the bananas on my counter wondering if you can use them as a sweetener. I’m so happy I found your recipe. Off to experiment making them with quinoa flakes
I love this recipe! I need to make them right away. I’ve been searching for healthier options for my kiddos.
Yum, these look great! Granola bars are my go-to snack, and I’ve recently become obsessed with mango!
I also suffer from non-glucose-grumpus. I love the quote I’ve seen on Pinterest: “I’m sorry for the unkind words I’ve said of out hunger.” To cope, I always have a snack with me. These granola bars look like the perfect antidote!
They look awesome Dara. I love making my own granola bars and will have to add your recipe to the rotation. I love that they are low sugar!! Perfect.
Heather
Love this recipe, Dara! And I totally understand the “low sugar grumpies.” I’m exactly the same!
Yeah, I suffer from that disorder too. I Have never made my own bars, just granola…which I love. I love oats so much I must be part horse! So I know I will love these!!!
Love these, Dara! I think we should just get together and make bars! These look amazing!
I love that this is only naturally sweetened! So often granola bars are just laden with sugar, and I never want to save the recipes because they just don’t feel like breakfast food. I’ll definitely have to try these, though!
Yum! Exactly what I want to eat in the morning with a cup of hot tea
I get grumpy without food too! These are just perfect for munching! So pretty too!
oooo a granola bar with mango! LOVE!
I’d eat these even if I wasn’t bordering on grumpy!
A brilliant recipe Dara; what a complete winner!
I love homemade granola bars, and these sound awesome with the mango, mashed banana and nuts! I am a total bear if I get too hungry – I get a headache, and am unbelievably cranky. I always try to keep a small bag of almonds or dried fruit in my purse and car to ward off potential problems
Mango in a granola bar??!? Sign me up
Love the mango and banana in the bar..these look so very healthy and yum!
I had to laugh when I first started reading this post… AT LAST a name for my affliction! LOL! I have to keep a few snacks handy for moments like that as well for me and my youngest.
These granola bars look amazing! I can’t wait to give them a try.
I couldn’t help but smile when your referred to your father as sir-grump-a-lot. I have affectionately called my own dad that name. These bars look amazing. I can’t wait to try them. It’s always nice for a low fat, high energy bar to take on the mountain!
Love the mango and ginger in these homemade granola bars Dara!
i’ve turned into something of a granola addict lately — seems like I should really try making granola bars too. this combo sounds good.
Loving these granola bars, Dara! And those ingredients together can only be sensational. I need more of this in my life, healthy but bloody good.
Perfect! I love the ginger addition, can’t wait to make these for me and the fam
I suffer from the same condition
I love the idea of using mango in granola bars! Chewy, homemade granola bars are the best!
Just perfect for a small snack during a diet…
I get grumpy when my blood sugar drops too. My good friends know when I say I need to eat, we’d better find some food. I usually carry granola bars just for those emergencies. I lived in Germany and there were no granola bars to be had. Wish I had your recipe then! With all that fruit, they sound better than anything I could buy in the store.
These look incredible! Perfectly healthy snack for in-between meals =)
i would request you to please guide me , how to make the apple sauce??
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