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 satisfying. 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 healthy snack recipes:
No-Bake Energy Bites (Carrot Cake)
Banana Blueberry Muffins
Low Fat Granola Bars with Banana, Cranberries & Pecans
Printable Recipe
Low Fat Granola Bars with Mango, Hazelnut & Ginger Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 â…“ cups old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup chopped hazelnuts
- 2 large ripe bananas
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup chopped dried mango
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed or flax meal
- ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon 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.
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.
sumedha
i would request you to please guide me , how to make the apple sauce??
Peggy
These look incredible! Perfectly healthy snack for in-between meals =)
Kari@Loaves and Dishes
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.
Aurelia
Just perfect for a small snack during a diet...
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
I love the idea of using mango in granola bars! Chewy, homemade granola bars are the best!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily
Perfect! I love the ginger addition, can't wait to make these for me and the fam 😉
I suffer from the same condition 🙂
MikeVFMK
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.
justcooknyc
i've turned into something of a granola addict lately -- seems like I should really try making granola bars too. this combo sounds good.
Jeanette
Love the mango and ginger in these homemade granola bars Dara!
kelley
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!
patsy
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.
Sanjeeta KK
Love the mango and banana in the bar..these look so very healthy and yum!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com
Mango in a granola bar??!? Sign me up 😀
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker
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 😉
KalynsKitchen
A brilliant recipe Dara; what a complete winner!
Kimby
I'd eat these even if I wasn't bordering on grumpy!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama
oooo a granola bar with mango! LOVE!