Most so-called 'healthy' cereal bars contain sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, MSGs and vegetable oils... Not a healthy snack at all. Kellogs (Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Coco-Pops, Special K), Nature Valley, Go Ahead, Belvita, Flahavans, Fibre One, Weightwatchers... Just to name a few of the popular UK & Irish brands. I'm assuming the brands in other countries contain similar ingredients too. Considering these cereal or breakfast bars are marketed as being suitable for 'breakfast on-the-go' and are clearly aimed at children as well as adults, it really is alarming that many of us start the day with sugar and a while host of harmful ingredients, and yet we think we're choosing something healthy because the packaging tells us it's wholegrain and filled with fruit, nuts and other good things.
Thankfully it's very easy to make your own, and that way you can be 100% certain what they contain, and that they will in fact do you good! These are just as sweet as those brands filled with sugar, but contain honey and dates instead. Yep, I know I tend to use these 2 ingredients a lot, but they are wonderful as binding agents as well as natural sweeteners. I'd recommend always having these two things in stock if you fancy homemade baked goods instead of wasting your money on products that do you no good. This recipe also uses bananas as they add to the sweetness and help all the crunchy ingredients stick together.
What you will need:
2 x ripe bananas
100g butter
50g coconut oil
150g dates
75g apricots
5 tblsp honey
75g golden linseed
75g mixed seeds (eg pumpkin, sunflower, sesame)
100g muesli
100g oats
Method:
In a small pan on low heat, melt the butter and coconut oil together
In a large bowl mash the bananas, and then stir in the melted butter & oil, along with the honey and cinnamon
Chop the dates and apricots finely and add to the bowl
Add all the seeds, muesli and oats, and mix well. You should have a nice sticky mixture.
Line a suitable tin with greaseproof paper (about 30cm x 20cm) and spread the mixture firmly and evenly. Pop into a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celcius for about 30 minutes until golden-brown. It will still be quite soft when you take it out the oven, but but will harden up once cooled.
Whilst the mixture is still warm cut into rectangles with a sharp knife but leave the paper on until they are cool
Enjoy!
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Many thanks
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