One of my favorite things to do is bake…I love the science behind baking too (chemistry nerd :)) But that is a post for another day. Anyways, I am always trying to add healthy baking recipes to my repertoire since my husband has some serious health problems hindering him from enjoying his ultimate favorite baked goods (like my famous chocolate cookies, which I will post soon!). I have been making these bars for a few years, but I always do them differently, or add in different toppings. They make for an easy, healthy snack or even a quick breakfast.

The basic ingredients for the bars include oats, brown sugar, banana, egg, cashew milk, peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, and a little salt.

Banana Oat Bars

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup packed brown sugar* (see note below)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon (or apple pie spice)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (or almond)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp maple extract (optional)
1 large egg (add 2 eggs for more cake like bars)
4 tbsp peanut butter
3 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
2 large ripe bananas
Optional Toppings: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, dried fruit, raisins, etc

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9×9 baking dish and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients (dry) until combined.
In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients except for bananas and toppings. Add the wet to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Add in your bananas and mix until combined. I like to leave some banana chunks in mine, but you can mix until creamy. Add your toppings.
Bake about 20-22 minutes, or until bars are firm and baked through.
Cut into squares.

**Note: I have also substituted other dry sweeteners like baking stevia.

Oh, and here’s the best kitchen helper…

Friday Favorites - Happy Valentine's Day from Ruger!