Nut and Seed Breakfast Bars

Many people tell me they don’t have time for breakfast in the morning. If they do eat, it might be a processed bar of some kind or something with empty calories that can be eaten on the go. Other people tell me they just get tired of eating oatmeal or smoothies as their only healthy options. These breakfast bars are a great alternative! They have even more nutrition than a bowl of oatmeal and the convenience of being portable! Make a tray and freeze the bars so they can be thrown in the microwave or toaster when ready to be eaten!

The recipe contains a variety of seeds and nuts which are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3s!

The bars a great topped with chia berry jam or nut butter!

Watch an instructional video on YouTube

Ingredients:

3.5 cup oatmeal old-fashioned oats (do not use instant)
2 ripe bananas (I freeze my bananas when they get really ripe, so oftentimes have some available in the when needed)
1/2 cup applesauce (I usually keep some small containers of organic applesauce in the pantry for baking)
¼ cup almond butter (can also use peanut butter or any nut butter)
3/4 cup almond milk (or any nut milk)
1 tsp salt
¼ cup ground flax
¾ cup water
1 tablespoon vanilla
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ cup millet uncooked (I have also used quinoa)
¼ cup chia seeds
¼ cup shredded coconut (optional)
1/4 cup hemp hearts
2-4 tablespoons agave, honey, or coconut sugar (optional)
1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries
1 /3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:

Mash banana and mix with almond butter, almond milk, vanilla, and applesauce in a large bowl
Add chia seeds, flax powder, hemp hearts, coconut, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, salt, sugar, and dried fruit and stir to mix
Add water and oats and stir to mix well (the mixture should be thick at this point)
Line a 16×9 baking pan with parchment paper and pour mixture into pan. Smooth with a rubber spatula
Bake 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes
Let cool for 30 minutes prior to cutting into squares