Do you ever need an on-the-go snack that fills you up and it’s healthy? Well, I’ve got these Banana Caramel Granola Bars that just might do the trick! Minus the caramel sauce if you really want them healthy, but I’m not that disciplined so caramel sauce it was!
In just over a week our family will be on vacation so I’ve been busy packing, organizing, and thinking of snacks to take for the airport. With 3 kids, there is always one them that’s hungry, thirsty or bored. That’s why I’m making up some on-the-go snacks to have on hand so that when they ask for a $5 muffin and a $2 bottle of water, I’ll be ready! Well, the water will have to come from the fountain since we can’t take it past security, but the food I can bring.
Ever since I saw Jessica’s (from A Kitchen Addiction) Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Chip No Bake Granola Bites I thought they would be the perfect thing to make for the airport. So, those are next on my list this week! The reason why I went for these this time was because my kids can still take these to school with them in the meantime. No peanut butter = school friendly! Plus I had too many bananas in my freezer that needed to be used up.
These granola bars are healthy and filling. Perfect for an on-the-go snack!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 egg whites
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. salt
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 4 Tbsp. Organic Sprouted Chia & Flax Seed Powder (or just chia or flax seeds)
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1/4 caramel sauce
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a medium bowl add the bananas, applesauce, honey, egg whites, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
In a separate bowl, mix together the rolled oats and the chia/flax seed mix. Pour into wet mixture and combine.
Pour mixture on paper-lined cookie sheet. Using a spoon, flatten the mixture in to a rectangle and 1/2 inch thick. I also used the inside of my hand to smooth out the edges as I worked the spoon along.
Sprinkle the 2 Tbsp. of brown sugar evenly on top. Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Once granola bars are cooled, spread caramel sauce evenly over top and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from The Svelte Gourmet
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I’ve been thinking of making my own granola bars, and these look so good they might have convinced me to get on it!
I hope you do try them! They are not sweet so that’s why I added the caramel sauce on top, but if you want them a little sweeter on the inside you might want to adjust the recipe a bit. Let me know if you make them!
These look wholesome and delicious! Caramel and banana is such a wonderful combo!
Thanks Tanya! I put the caramel sauce on top so that my kids will think they’re NOT healthy granola bars and then they’ll eat them
Wow, your bars look soooo good. Soft, moist, gooey and great! they remind me of a 2009 recipe of mine for vegan/nobake granola bars that use banana and I put them in the freezer to set them. There is PB in them, but could be replaced with SFSButter, AB, or other nut butter. I know how careful you have to be w/ kids & PB at schools these days!
Thanks for linking up my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Granola Bars.
Thanks Averie! There are so many recipes that you have that I want to try – they all look so delicious! Thanks for stopping by and it was my pleasure to link up to your granola bars! Have a fantastic weekend
Liz, these are perfect. YUM.
Thanks Aimee! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks for the mention Liz!! Love that you created a caramel sauce for these granola bars! Definitely will be trying! Have a great weekend!
NO problem! Have a great weekend too
You had me at the very first sentence Liz!! Agh I could always use these when I’m running between classes and work. And banana caramel?? Quaker oats better watch out! There’s a new granola lady in town
LOL Jess! Thanks so much…my kids are at the age where they like to snack a lot so I don’t feel bad when they grab one of these!
Now these are my kind of granola bars covered in caramel!
Sincerely no disciple either
Thanks Liz! I think my kids are only eating them because of the caramel sauce!
These look awesome. Too funny, I made granola bars for our trip as well.
Thanks Meg! I love to have portable food on hand when traveling because then you’re not at the mercy of the outrageous prices in the airport!
I am so jealous you get to go on a family vacation! We have one planned for a month from now, I can’t wait! These granola bars look so yummy!
Thanks Kristi! We’re so excited to go….as I bet you are too. Where are you headed for your vacation? Have a fantastic week
These look delicious. We have a link party called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop and would love to have you share this and any other posts with everyone. It runs from Tuesday night through midnight Sunday. Here is the link to the party.
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/02/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop_26.html
Debi and Charly @ Adorned From Above
Thanks for the invite Debi and Charly! I will check out your site later today. Have a wonderful week
What a fun combination! I’m sure these bars are amazing… I’m so glad you came to share at Super Saturday Show & Tell… come back again next week to party with me again
xoxo~ Ruthie
What a great tutorial! I’d love for you to share this or any of your great ideas at the link party going on now (and every Saturday through Tuesday) at ‘Or so she says …’ Hope to see you there! http://www.oneshetwoshe.com
Thanks for the invite! I will check out your blog today! Have a fantastic week
Healthy granola bars drenched in caramel…I like the way you bake!!! Aren’t airport prices just ridiculous? Of course I was just there recently and had one of those $5 muffins…I should have thought ahead like you and made snacks to munch on!
Thanks Jocelyn! It’s not too bad when you’re by yourself at the airport but when you’re a family of 5 going away, everything costs so much more…as I’m sure you know!
banana, caramel, granola – you jsut said three of my very favorite things in life. these bars look SO good Liz! Moist, soft, and oozing with flavor. I love homemade granola bars!
Thanks Sally! I agree…you can’t beat homemade granola bars!
This is too darned good for words! I want to gobble up each of these bars! Thanks for sharing at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!
These look great! Pinning to make them later!
Found you at I Should Be Mopping the Floor!
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll stop by your blog too
These are awesome! I have never made homemade granola bars – and I think I need to start with these!
I can’t imagine that you’ve never made them Dorothy! You have got to try….you daughter will probably love them
I looove homemade granola bars and these look super delish!
Thanks….I’ve never made homemade ones before but now I can’t seem to find enough yummy recipes to try!
I have never made granola bars but my son has recently developed an addiction to special k bars and I am trying to think of a cheaper, more wholesome way to wean him off. Maybe these will do the trick!:) I have pinned them!
I made these for the same reason. My three kids love granola bars but I had to think of a more cost-effective and healthier choice! These turned out great
I haven’t ever added bananas to granola bars. The flavor combination sounds delicious. I will definitely give these a try. How do you store them? In the refrigerator?
Thanks for stopping by! I stored these by putting them in the freezer and just pulling them out to put in the kids lunches, but I’m sure they would be fine in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Let me know if you make them
How good do these look?! *drools and pins*
Thanks for sharing this at Cook, Craft, Create at The Purple Pumpkin Blog. Hope to see you again soon!
Michelle xx
These look ooey-gooey delicious. I have a PB & nut free home, I am always looking for new granola and granola bar recipes. Thanks!
Thanks Kim! I have to watch too as my kids school is peanut-free. You should try these as my kids gobbled them up
These granola bars sound absolutely awesome, Liz!!
Thank you so much for coming by the party!!
Don’t tell me they are healthy – I might pass them up for a cupcake..Sounds yummy! Pinned it. Thanks for sharing on Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker. Hope to see ya again Monday night!
These look amazing! Thanks for sharing at the Clarks Condensed Dinner Party — you’ve been featured as one of the best recipes (and the most clicked on!) at this past dinner party. Be sure to come link up again!
http://www.clarkscondensed.com/2013/03/sunday-dinner-party-7.html
Yeah! Thanks for featuring them! I will come by again when I return from holidays next week