I had planned on these being a different version of my Homemade Scotchie Granola Bars, however a couple of changes to the recipe resulted in a completely different texture!
The more time I spend in the kitchen (and watching Food Network), the more fascinated I become with food science and experimenting.
I wanted to make some semi-healthy goodies to bring back to the hotel slash my second home. Since the BF is basically living in small town Nebraska for work, and I decided to nix the Chemistry class, I have more “free time” to come out here and support him.
It’s a little challenging to eat healthy while staying at a hotel, so I’m trying to make the best of it!
I had some bananas that needed to be used up at home, so I substituted one banana for half of the butter in the original recipe. I also had a friend comment on my Semi-Healthy Facebook Page about the oatmeal-heath cookies I used to make all the time so I decided I should add a little Heath to the mix as well.
Finally, instead of making actual granola bars, I got an idea from Pinterest for baking granola bars in cupcake tins for easy portioning.
The results were amazing. These bites are chewy (in comparison to the granola bars) and have a subtle flavor of bananas and health. I really like the new flavor with the reduction of sugar, the perfect amount of sweetness.
Oatmeal Bites {with Banana and Heath}
{Print Recipe}
Ingredients: (changes to the original granola bar recipe)
- 3 TBS Chia seeds + 9 TBS warm water to make Chia gel
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, slightly melted
- I mashed banana
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 + 1/2 cup peanutbutter
- 4 cups quick oats
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 package heath baking bits
- optional: add some sweetness by drizzling honey and adding a piece of chocolate on top (I used dark chocolate Bliss cut in half)
How To:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar, chia gel, mashed banana and vanilla extract.
- Add peanutbutter and salt.
- Try to distribute baking powder and baking soda into the mix evenly.
- Add oats. Fold in heath baking bits.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until edges are a little brown.
- Let cool and enjoy!
Well I am off to munch on one of these lovely Oatmeal Bites and do some nutrition homework!
Have a great Wednesday everyone!
P.S. Get ready for a new series coming up entitled “Running for Newbies.”
I am gathering guest posts from experienced runners as well as sharing what has worked for me as a new runner. The first guest post will be up Saturday so get excited!!
Do you like banana in baked goods?
Do you experiment with different “healthier” items? What was your latest experiment?
