Ditch the store-bought snacks and make a batch of these low fat granola bars. Lower in sugar and fat, but with plenty of flavor.
From all of your responses to Recipes for Good Healthy and Weight Loss in 2012, it sounds as though many of you are dedicated to either continuing healthy habits or creating some new ones. I alluded to a weight loss journey I have been on over the past several months and will be giving you tips and tricks that have worked for me. Let's start with what they call "the most important meal of the day". No, I'm not referring to that bowl of ice cream at 10pm when the kids are in bed and the sugary treats begin their siren call. I'm talking about breakfast. That is where these low fat granola bars, packed with bananas, dried cranberries and pecans, come into play.
Both my husband and I are runners and we log enough miles in the week to get our hunger urges revving at full speed. In addition, my husband lifts free weights and I attend an aerobic/strength training class a couple of times per week. That's where this recipe comes in. The amazing woman who teaches the strength training class often provides us with her favorite healthy eating tips and the occasional recipe. I took this recipe, filled with fiber and natural sugars, and made a few tweaks based on my family's taste preferences. It works perfectly as pre-exercise fuel or to curb afternoon hunger cravings.
These granola bars are soft and chewy rather than crispy and have a pleasing level of natural sweetness from the bananas, ground cinnamon and grated nutmeg. However, if you prefer granola bars with a touch more sweetness, consider adding a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup or honey. I snuck in some healthy omega-3 fats in the form of ground flax seeds, which are available in most grocery stores. Actually, we found our last batch of flax seed meal at Costco for a smokin' price.
One of these bars, along with half an apple gives me enough fuel to carry me through my workouts. If you're looking for an alternative, try my Healthy Yogurt Parfaits with Blueberries & Granola.
What are your favorite ways to fuel-up before your workouts? I'd love to hear your ideas.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9- by 13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper, with about 1 inch of parchment paper overlapping the sides.
Spread out the oats and chopped pecans on a baking sheet. Place in the oven until they are lightly toasted, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with the back of a fork. Stir in applesauce until combined.
Transfer the oats and pecans to a large bowl and stir in dried cranberries, ground flax seed (flax meal), cinnamon, nutmeg 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. Serve or store in an airtight container.
Other granola bars recipes:
Family Fresh Cooking's Telluride Trail Bars
Two Peas and Their Pod's Peanut Butter Granola Balls
Brown Eyed Baker's Crunchy Good-for-You Granola Bars
Shutterbean's Fully Loaded Granola Bars
Printable Recipe
Low Fat Granola Bars with Bananas, Cranberries & Pecans
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cup oats
- ¾ cup roughly chopped pecans
- 3 large ripe bananas
- â…” cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¾ cup dried cranberries
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seed or flax meal
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, with about 1 inch of parchment paper overlapping the sides.
- Spread out the oats and chopped pecans on a baking sheet. Place in the oven until they are lightly toasted, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with the back of a fork. Stir in applesauce until combined.
- Transfer the oats and pecans to a large bowl and stir in dried cranberries, ground flax seed (flax meal), cinnamon, nutmeg 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.
- Serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen
I'm not a runner and it shows! I have been looking for a healthy granola recipe and this looks like it. Thanks for posting
DessertForTwo
Look at you, making healthy stuff for the New Year. I wish I could be more like you! I just used an entire stick of butter in a cake last night....a cake that serves two :/
Happy New Year 🙂
Sandy
I've been looking for something healthy to make and stick in my son's flight bag. He flies really strange hours and you wouldn't believe what he eats! These are the perfect answer, he won't eat the dried, "crunchy" style. Thanks for testing them for us, I know they will taste great 🙂
Katrina
These look so good, Dara. They are the second healthy granola bar I've seen today and I'd like one of each! I'm about to post a healthy cookie with quinoa! Tis the season!
Heidi / foodiecrush
Thanks to working for health magazines for nearly 15 years I'm pretty partial to the flax seeds and natural grains/oats etc too. Seriously nothing better. I add in flax to my oatmeal to keep me going til lunch. I haven't been working out as much as I should but when I did I also loved making a smoothie with ice, chocolate flavored protein powder and a banana. Super rich and almost made me think I was having a treat. Almost...
Lora @cakeduchess
I eat granola as a treat every night and can't wait to make these:)Looks amazing!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels
Your photos are always so beautiful! I love granola bars especially homemade ones. I can't wait to try out your recipe! 🙂
Lu
These look fantastic! And beautiful! I'll try them this week!
Divya
Happy New Year, Dara! Loving this recipe since I've been on the lookout for healthy recipes to help me stick to my resolutions this year. Thanks for sharing!
claudia lamascolo
perfect timing for this one, I am collecting all diet foods, been on a good role no pun intended of losing unwanted weight and this is a perfect addition of healthy eating.. Cant wait to try these~ Happy New Year to you and your family!