banana Archives - a sweet baker

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.

Banana Caramel Granola Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 14-16 bars

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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Some other healthy granola bars you might enjoy:

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Granola Bars by Averie Cooks

Almond Joy Raw Bars (Gluten-Free Heart Healthy) by Beard & Bonnet

Fruit & Nut Granola Bars (Gluten Free) by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks

This recipe was whipped up one morning when I realized that I was supposed to be bringing something to my girlfriend’s wedding shower. I told her a couple weeks before that I would be more than happy to bring something. I also planned to make the dessert the night before so that I didn’t have to rush in the morning. But, once again, I forgot and was scrambling to make something with the ingredients I had on hand since I had no time to run to the grocery store. Lucky for me I always have bananas in the freezer and set out making these bars.

The recipe was easy and quick and the bars were so moist. They turned out like little pieces of individual chocolate banana loaves The wedding shower was about 40 minutes away from my house and it was a hot, humid day. I drove the whole way with the air-conditioner on full-blast so that the bars wouldn’t turn all gooey. By the time I got there, I was freezing my butt off but the bars were perfect! The wedding shower was beautifully decorated and we played all those fun shower games that gets everyone laughing. There was tons of delicious food and my friend, Melissa, received lots of great gifts. Congratulations, Melissa! Can’t wait to see you on your special day!